(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Oman's Mazin al Shaibani is all set to become the first racer from the sultanate to compete in one of the longest standing motor sports events in the Middle East - the Al Hussein Rumman Hill Climb - in Jordan on August 21.
The annual race is one of the highlights on Jordan's sporting calendar with the first Hill Climb having been held near the historical town of Jarash in 1962.
A file photo of Mazin al Shaibani competing during the UAE AutoX/Time Attack race
A few years after its launch late King Hussein of Jordan had called upon the race route be improved after which the contest was moved to Al Rumman.
A racer himself King Hussein held the course record until 2001. The current record-holder is Lebanon's Roger Feghali who set a new mark in 2007 with a time of one minute 48.7 seconds.
Shaibani who drives a Mitsubishi Evo 6 told Muscat Daily ahead of his departure to Jordan 'Ever since I started racing in 2006 I have always dreamt of reaching the top in motor sports. So far I have met with reasonable success in the AutoX/Time Attack class.
'Having watched Arab motor sports heroes break records in Rumman I always had a desire to take part in this challenging race. This time I got the financial support I need to achieve my dream. I may not be able to win the race on my debut but I am confident that the experience I would gain from competing with the region's best drivers will help me grow as a racer.'
Lebanon's Roger Feghali in action during last year's Al Rumman Hill Climb
Looking back at his recent wins Shaibani said 'Last season I finished overall third in the UAE AutoX Championship and I won the AWD modified class honours. Also during the Ramadan festival organised by the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) here I won one of the rounds. Those victories have given me the confidence to try out the Hill Climb. It is well known that the Hill Climb events in both Jordan and Lebanon are the most challenging ones around. The competition has a rich history in these two countries and I want to be part of it.'
Shaibani aims to finish among the top ten on his maiden participation in the Hill Climb. 'I don't have much experience in Hill Climb races but I will try to make the most of my AutoX/ Time Attack skills' he said.
Shaibani who works as an accountant with PDO believes that his trip to Jordan will encourage more Omanis to take part in such events and win titles.
Shaibani said the OAA has provided a platform for drivers to pursue their passion for motor sports with Oman already boasting of a sizeable number of potential racers.
According to Shaibani Oman is known for its natural mountainous terrain and can someday play host to an edition of the Hill Climb which could promote motor sports and tourism in the country.
The Rumman Hill Climb is 3km long and its race course is 3m wide with an average ascent of 8.5 per cent. There are 24 turns and corners including four hairpin bends.
Feghali was crowned champion in the last edition after clocking a time of 1m51.78s in his Mitsubishi Evo Proto.
Organised by Jordan Motorsport the race featured 25 drivers from Lebanon UAE and Jordan last year.
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