Nissan Middle East and Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co, its exclusive dealer in Qatar, extended their commitment and support to Qatari rally driver Adel Hussain Abdulla by sponsoring him as he takes his championship-winning driving to the World Rally Championship (WRC) 2016.
The sponsorship deal, underpinned by a new Nissan Patrol XE for the WRC, also provides complete race support and covers all expenses incurred, including parts and technical support.
Nissan Middle East managing director Samir Cherfan said, “Motorsport is in the DNA of Nissan, which makes it vitally important for us to support champion racers around the world. Adel is an exceptionally talented driver and a credit to the region as a whole. He has already enjoyed extensive success in Middle East championships with the Patrol, and we support his ambitious attempts to take on the World Rally Championship by continuing to drive in the ‘Hero of all Terrains in Life’.”
Qatar-based Abdulla has been competing in rallies as co-driver and driver for the past 26 years, taking part in more than 140 international and regional events. He has become a regular fixture on the podium, too, having taken top honours in the Kuwait International Rally, Qatar’s International Baja and Saudi Arabia’s Ha’il International Rally – some of the world’s toughest motorsport challenges – as well as numerous top three finishes in cars and on quad bikes.
This year will see Abdulla participate for the first time in the FIA World Rally Championship with French co-driver Jean-Micheal Polato, who brings a wealth of experience having competed in many WRC events. The duo will also be supported by the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF).
The Nissan Patrol is very familiar to Abdulla, who drove it to first place in the T2 category of this year’s Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, as well as competing in it on the Sealine Cross-Country Rally in his homeland, Qatar. He is currently second place in the T2 Championship rankings and is aiming to take first, which would secure Nissan’s second overall win in a row, after Denis Berezovsky’s victory in 2015, also supported by Nissan Middle East.
During the 2016 season, Abdulla’s Nissan Patrol will be prepared, maintained and supervised by the leading Turkish motorsport company, TOK Sports.
Nissan Middle East managing director Samir Cherfan (left) signs the sponsorship agreement with Qatari driver Adel Hussein Abdulla.
