Ali punches France ticket with win in RAK

RAS AL KHAIMAH: Daman Speed Academy (DSA) driver Saeed Al Ali won the final race of the IAME X30 Challenge UAE in the Shifter class at the Ras Al Khaimah karting track on Friday and was classiied second overall in class at the end of the championship.

As a result, Saeed has now won a ticket to the IAME World Finals to be held at Le Mans in France from Oct.8-14. Team-mate Hamda Al Qubais was also on the podium, finishing third in the Senior class, including clocking the fastest lap, after starting from eighth on the grid.

Ali was in sterling form and spared no effort in his bid to win the round knowing full well that a seat at the IAME World Finals was at stake.

DSA founder and Abu Dhabi Racing Managing Director Khaled Al Qubaisi said: “I am very proud of Saeed. He is one of the first members of the DSA who is extremely talented. Also, he has been very committed and very focused from day one. I am confident he has tremendous potential to advance in his motorsport career with the right support.”

Ali said on his run in the championship: “I am so happy having won the final race of the season. The entire season was very tough with several challenges coming my way, including the set-up of my kart engine at the start but my team did a splendid job in the end.

“I would like to thank ADR and the DSA, and of course all the sponsors for reposing their faith in me and supporting us. A big thank you to my support team and the mechanics for preparing a fantastic kart throughout the season.”

A delighted Hamda said: “I was always over-thinking and in the Final I dropped to about 8th place and I thought I never had a chance to even make it.

“I did not know what to think but then I told myself to calm down and just overtake step-by-step and no matter how far I make it just as long as I finish in a place that I am happy with.

“And finally I finished third and I am so happy about it. I have been waiting for this for the whole season and finally it happened, I am so happy.”