Al Meer wins fifth round of Qatar Manateq Baja

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Mohamed Al Meer won the fifth round of the Qatar Manateq Baja championship on Saturday. Al Meer and his Russian navigator Alexey Kuzmich, in a Nissan Patrol, finished in 2:26:04 seconds to cut the overall lead of Sheikh Hamad Al Thani in the championship to five points.

Sheikh Hamad came third (2:34:55) with his co-driver Feras Allouh to take his tally to 72 points. The duo had finished the rally in second, but a three-minute penalty meant they lost out on crucial points.

Qatar’s Rashid Al Mohannadi and Kuwaiti co-driver Ahmed Al Fares took the second spot (2:36:31) in their Nissan Patrol.  Nine vehicles started the rally but only six were able to tame a treacherous desert terrain and cross the finish line.

Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation President Abdulrahman Al Mannai gave away the prizes. The sixth and final round of the championship will be held on January 19.