Dubai: Abu Dhabi Racing’s (ADR) Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi will skip the International Rally of Lebanon on August 29 due to security fears.
The former Middle East rally champion, who is also chairman of ADR, had been hoping to secure maximum points in round four of the six-stage FIA Middle East Rally Championship (Merc) in order to close the gap on championship leader Nasser Al Attiyah of Qatar.
Al Qasimi is currently second in the championship standings, 24 points off Al Attiyah.
“I was looking forward to participating in Lebanon this year,” said Al Qasimi, who finished third in Qatar and second in Kuwait and Jordan in the first three rounds of the series. “It is one of the most beautiful rallies that any driver would love to tackle.
“However, we need to take into consideration the security situation. That said, I would like to thank the organisers of the event, the Automobile and Touring Club of Lebanon (ATCL), for the efforts they pay in organising the Rally of Lebanon.
“I wish all the participants in the International Rally of Lebanon the very best and I am now looking forward to meeting them next at the Cyprus Rally.”
The Cyprus Rally is the fifth and penultimate round of the Merc championship and will be held on September 19, before the final round in Dubai on November 27.
