DUBAI: Wednesday, August 13: Dubai-based RX Sport is a squad headed by seasoned Emirati racer Rashid AlKetbi, who is pushing the standard for worldwide motorsport. It was created just one month before the 2023 Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
After a career full of personal accomplishments, AlKetbi decided to use his knowledge and enthusiasm to promote and nurture Arab talent, particularly after he was wounded during a round of the FIA European Rally Championship.
This enthusiasm drove the team to compete in the 2024 Dakar Rally, the world's hardest race, just a few months after their debut in Abu Dhabi. The crew won the T4 class in their second participation at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, cementing their dominant position.
RX Sport's objectives extended beyond cross-country and Baja World Cup competitions. The crew has also evolved into a platform for honoring Arab champions, inviting luminaries such as Yahya AlHelei and his son Mansour, as well as Sheikh Khalid AlQassimi, who competed in the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.
While the United Arab Emirates has a number of racing clubs, they primarily operate on a local level. This is where RX Sport stands out: it is the first Emirati team to compete in crosscountry and Baja rallies.
The squad wants to do more than just assist drivers. It works hard to empower Arab navigators, most notably Khalid AlKindi, demonstrating its broad commitment to developing motorsport in the area.
Omani rally racer Hamad AlWahaibi has teamed up with RX Sport to compete in the FIA World Baja Cup this season. AlWahaibi feels that promoting Arab clubs is the first step toward developing the sport in the area, which is why he opted to continue his career under the banner of an Arab team fighting for the top.
On some events, AlWahaibi is joined by Emirati navigator Khalid AlKindi, and the team has delivered excellent results, putting them in contention for the SSV title. The duo still has more events this season as they prepare for next year's racing program with RX Sport.
Rashid AlKetbi described his experience. He stated: I couldn't stay away from motorsport after my accident in the European Championship, which resulted in a broken back. This sport has been in my thoughts and heart since 1992. That is how the notion of creating the squad originated, allowing me to continue confronting life's challenges.
Today, we are competing in the FIA World Baja Cup with my brother and friend, Omani champion Hamad Al Wahaibi. Following our success in the Italian round and our second-place finishes in the Spanish and Jordanian rounds, we have a commanding lead. We are happy to have a champion with Hamad's expertise and successes in our ranks, and we look forward to tackling new challenges together.
Al-Wahaibi also stated his satisfaction in joining the team. He stated: I am excited to be a member of the RX Sport team. This team is ambitious, promising, and has demonstrated its excellence and prominence in both Arab and international motorsports.
Rashid Al Ketbi is quite ambitious and passionate about racing. He regards this activity as the focal point of his life and goes to exceptional lengths to fly the Arab flag high on the international scene. I want the team the best of luck and am confident that all of their goals, including Rashid's, will be realized in the near future.
Khalid AlKindi, who has known Rashid AlKetbi for a long time and claims his 'testimony is prejudiced' in his description, described the team's significance: What sets the squad apart is that it reflects Rashid AlKetbi's love for motorsports. It is an Emirati squad that competes in domestic and international tournaments.
The staff is also unique in that it is always evolving and strives to get great outcomes in every round while confronting new issues. This was highlighted by their participation in the Dakar Rally and regular upgrades to the vehicles to meet current standards.
