Y - Issue 162 - March 22, 2011 - Y-oman.com

March 22, 2011 Issue 162
In this round they compete with other young drivers from
The United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, India, and
Malaysia. It is tough, however, at the end of this qualifying
session they will be ranked to participate in a championship
that will see one talented driver behind the wheel of a
Formula Renault BARC single-seater for a season of racing in
the UK. Watching Haitham and Maher, it is entirely feasible
that an Omani driver could be the next great hope for
Formula 1. The only thing holding them back is support,
although the pair will never admit it. “We are determined to
take this to the next level, and if we both make it, we’ll fight
it out to see who is best at that time,” Haitham declares.
“We can do it, I believe we can. Sayyid Mohammed bin
Ali Al Said initially gave us the biggest push. He has been
instrumental in the formation of the team and he introduced
us to the Entrepreneurship Organisation that is now giving us
tremendous support. Mr. Hritik. A. Kimji is very involved too,
and his efforts have also been invaluable.”
But as I stated earlier, what they really need is even more
support. In my mind, the two young hopefuls will not only
put Oman on the motorsports map, but will help to shape
a brighter future for road safety and driver education in the
country. They need private enterprise, entrepreneurs, and
institutions to get behind them. Sponsorship will make all
the difference, so these two talented drivers can concentrate
on racing and fitness, and leave the fundraising to others.
They’ve managed to get into the series, now they have to win
it and find partners to take them to the world stage.
The day ends with a gripping three-hour session under lights. It
is the first time either driver has raced under these conditions.
“I’m really excited. The car is fantastic, and although the tyres
are really cold and hard the lateral forces through the turns are
exceptional. These cars are faster than Formula BMW cars and
all week I’ve been waiting for this night session.” Maher, already
suited up, holds a Hans racing harness in one hand and his helmet
in the other. The Yas hotel changes colour in the darkness behind
us, and all of the cars line up in pit lane. There is one final briefing
from driving ace Andy Pardoe, and I manage to catch all the
jitters on camera. Haitham is smiling, although I can see a steely
determination stirring.
The cars scream upon start-up; it is a glorious sound. A data
logger will capture every throttle blip, gear change, steering
movement and engine parameter. A video system will allow every
moment to be relived. At the end of this session it all boils down
to lap times, longitudinal and latitudinal G-forces, brake pressure,
and consistency. This is the real deal; formula racing at its most
competitive.
During the course of the day our conversation weaves around
ideas to spread advanced driver training and a clear message
of road safety to all corners of the Sultanate. The young
racers are excited by the prospect of using their skills and
newly acquired experience to travel with a road show that
can educate school children and teens, and to effectively
assist in implementing a system for safer roads in the
country.
32