13 November 2015
Omani brothers racing as part of Team UAE are shining in Portugal
The Al Rawahi brothers, Abdullah and Sanad, are participating in the 2015 Rotax MAX Grand Finals in Portugal this week and making their mark on the event, which features the world's best Rotax MAX drivers, by both qualifying for the Finals on Saturday,
Abdullah did enough with two seventh places in his first Heat races and was third in his third Heat when he was punted off in the final laps and did well to recover to finish tenth. Nevertheless he did enough to ensure his progress to the final day of action in the MAX class.
Sanad bagged seventh, fifth and fourth in his three Heat races in the DD2 class, which is the premier category of Rotax racing at the Grand Finals.
Througout the qualifying Heats the pair were well within sight of the leaders and heading to the finals they have the potential to finish in the top ten, and depending on how things pan out a podium is not an unrealistic target for the brothers.
Although from Oman, the Al Rawahis are part of Team UAE by virtue of the fact that they are regular competitors at the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge since 2009. They also have increasingly campaigned at select races in Europe and in the Middle East, bolstering their experience at a very high level of karting which is now serving them well.
The pair have progressed under the wings of their father Suleiman Al Rawahi who has been a constant presence while his sons have raced over the year.
Al Rawahi senior recalls fondly, "We started racing using a Nissan Patrol to transport our karts, driving from Muscat to the various race tracks around the UAE. Over the years the Patrol ammassed over 270,000 kilomtres used only to transport our karts from race-to-race."
These days Al Rawahi senior is a main shareholder in the Birel ART, one of the top teams contesting with several drivers in the UAE karting scene. Sanad and Abdullah have together bagged multiple championships in the years since they made their debut in the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge in 2009.
In Portugal, 20 year old, Sanad and 18 year old Abdullah have risen to the occasion as they battle it out with 288 elite Rotax MAX drivers who are taking part in the Grand Finals, and whatever the outcome they have now firmly signalled their arrival on the international stage.
When asked what the most important factor is to succeed in the Grand Finals, Abdullah summed up the spirit of the brothers when he quickly responded with is trademark grin, "Have fun!"
Team UAE Manager Guy Sheffield said, "Success for Abdullah and Sanad has come about through hard graft and unwavering commitment to their chosen sport, while guided by their father Suleiman. Things have not come easy for the brothers, but they have risen to the challenge and the reward for all their sacrifices and dedication is their rise up the karting rankings on the international stage."
