Veteran driver Nasser bin Khalifa Al Atya and co-driver Italian co-driver Bernacchini Giovanni.
Doha: Veteran driver Nasser bin Khalifa Al Atya and co-driver Italian co-driver Bernacchini Giovanni will feature in this week’s WRC Master Cup leg in Portugal.
Al Atya, who returned to action almost four years ago, yesterday tested his Ford Fiesta R5 with Giovanni.
“The test went really well. It was really tough, very technical. We will be doing this for the next three days also. We arrived yesterday and got down to the track today,” Al Atya said yesterday.
“I hope we do well in the rally. There are 87 participants and clearly it is a very strong field. I am hoping to do well as I have been preparing for this season well,” he added.
‘I am very excited to represent Qatar on my own. I am very excited. I will try to keep the Qatar flag flying high,” Al Atya said.
The WRC Masters Cup is a category that is making a debut for drivers over the age of 50. A former Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) series runner-up in 1993, Al Atya returned to track at last year’s Qatar International Rally after a gap of 22 years.
“I am getting stronger with my practice with the car. My physical fitness is good too as I am training in the gym. I am confident about my chances,” he added.
