Running with support from Saleh Al-Hamad Al-Mana Co (Nissan Qatar), Ooredoo and the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF), the Qatari reached the finish in the baking heat of the town of Teruel in a time of 8hrs 17min 54sec. That was just 1min 50sec behind the T2 section winner Juan Font of Spain, but it gave the QX Rally Team Nissan driver a useful haul of points and more than made up for some recent disappointments.
“We gave it a real push on the last stage today, claimed the stage win and almost managed to win T2,” said Adel Abdulla. “I dedicate this result to His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and thank my sponsors, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation, Nissan Qatar’s Saleh Al-Hamad Al-Mana Co, Ooredoo and the Government of Qatar for their support.”
Adel started strongly on the 9.6km super special stage that was held near Teruel on Friday evening. The Qatari set the fourth quickest time behind Alessandro Trivini, Josep Solé and Andrea Schiumarini, but moved up to third when Trivini was awarded a 10-minute time penalty. Arch-rival and series leader Yasir Saeidan was not able to start the event.
The first of the selective sections ran for 216.92km between Teruel and Perales Alfambra on Saturday morning. Juan Font claimed the quickest time of 3hrs 17min 46sec in the T2 category, but Adel Abdulla was delighted with the second quickest time. Cesar Rickler was third.
The second stage of the day ran for 133.78km in the punishing heat of an Aragón summer afternoon between Celadas and Teruel. Adel Abdulla was in excellent form once again and the Qatari claimed the fastest time of 2hrs 02min 12sec to climb within 6min 23sec of Font at the top of the T2 standings.
The competitive action concluded yesterday with a stage of 184.05km between Barrachina and Caude. Adel Abdulla pushed hard and set the fastest time in the T2 category and almost managed to catch Font to claim the T2 win, but had to settle for an impressive second position in his Nissan Patrol Y62.
Overall T2 positions
1. Juan Font (ESP)/Jesus Arriezu (ESP) Toyota Land Cruiser 8hrs 16min 04sec
2. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser al-Kuwari (QAT) Nissan Patrol 8hrs 17min 54sec
3. Cesar Rickler (ITA)/Massimiliano Catar (ITA) Ford Raptor 8hrs 38min 57sec
4. Andrea Schiumarini (ITA)/Massimo Salvatore (ITA) Mitsubishi Pajero 9hrs 13min 03sec
5. Alessandro Trivini (ITA)/Paolo Trivini Bell (ITA) Mitsubishi Pajero 9hrs 32min 06sec