Qatar’s motorsport fraternity was mourning the death of veteran rally driver Sheikh Hamad bin Eid al-Thani who passed away yesterday while following the action in the Qatar National Baja at Dukhan.
HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad al-Thani, President of Qatar Olympic Committee, condoled Sheikh Hamad bin Eid’s passing. 
“It is with great sorrow and sadness that we received the news of the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Eid Al Thani, may God have mercy on him,” HE Sheikh Joaan tweeted.
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) released a statement saying the death took place after his withdrawal as a participant from the fourth round of the prestigious national event.
“Sheikh Hamad started the first stage of the race but decided to withdraw from the competition and returned to the maintenance area. His condition was very normal,” the QMMF stated.
“Sheikh Hamad accompanied one of his friends in his private car to watch the rest of the stages of the race but he fell unconscious. His friend informed the local organising committee and returned him to the rally headquarters immediately,” the statement added.
The QMMF statement pointed out that “the medical team assigned to the Qatar National Baja quickly dealt with the case and gave him relief at the rally headquarters in Dukhan before moving him to the Cuban Hospital, where he passed away.”
“The QMMF mourns Sheikh Hamad, one of the most prominent Qatari rally drivers, and extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and motorsport enthusiasts in Qatar,” the statement added.
Sheikh Hamad bin Eid was one of the most prominent rally drivers in Qatar and the Gulf region, having won many local and international titles, most notably the World Cup of Saharan Rally Championship in the Cross Country (T2) category.
He had also won the Middle East Rally Championship in 1993 and Qatar Rally Championship in 1997. Sheikh Hamad bin Eid was also the winner of Dubai Desert Challenge.
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