Winners of the 2010 Egypt Rally Cup were met with an explosion of cheers, screams and whistles as the first five of fifteen cars rolled across the finish line in el-Gouna’s Abu Tig Marina after a grueling two-day race. Having already secured their victory, drivers took their time crossing the line, stopping to climb on top of their battered vehicles, posing for pictures and pumping fists in the air.
Coming in first place was 40-year-old Karim el-Zanaty, a member of the Rally Raid Egypt team, sponsored for this event by el-Gouna. Clearly enjoying his victory, el-Zanaty screamed along with the applauding crowd and jokingly demanded donations for the damage done to his car during the race, which covered 400km of exceptionally challenging terrain.
Leaping down from the roof of his car, the hyperactive racer exclaimed to Al-Masry Al-Youm, “This feels nice. Very, very, very nice,” before sprinting off to the waiting embrace of his family and friends.
In second place was Tarek el-Erian and his navigator Mohamed Aly, two of the youngest racers in Egyptian history. “I’m extremely happy, extremely proud,” said the 22-year-old driver. “We’ve worked really hard for this, so, of course, it feels amazing.”
“It was a tight race. The leading cars were constantly overtaking each other, which doesn’t usually happen much in these races,” explained Aly, whose navigational skills played a huge part in earning him and el-Erian second place. “It was definitely challenging. To be up against our mentors, the people who taught us how to race, and achieve the results that we did, it feels great.”
Despite coming second place overall, el-Erian and Aly were actually the first to finish the final stage of the race, an impressive feat for their team, the Sand Sea Sailors, which, until recently, had struggled to find sponsors. Having just secured a deal with the Bank of Alexandria, the team members were understandably thrilled about their accomplishments–which extended beyond el-Erian and Aly’s win.
“This is our first sponsored race, so I’d say it’s been a very good start,” said Hani Omar, one of the Sand Sea Sailors team. “The terrain was difficult and there were a few close calls, but it all turned out well.”
Omar, with his navigator Akram el-Sharif, came in third place, a remarkable feat, considering that their Jeep Wrangler was classified in the T2 category–designated for vehicles that have been barely modified, as opposed to the structurally and mechanically enhanced T1 contenders. As a result, the pair earned two high-ranking positions, coming in third for the overall competition and achieving first place in the T2 category. Even more impressive was the fact that the race was el-Sharif’s first experience as a navigator.
Watching the screaming crowds and swarming journalists with a satisfied smile was the chairman of the Egyptian Federation for Motor Sports, Mounir Elzahid, whose organization is responsible for the Egypt Rally Cup and another two races planned for later this year, as well as a rally school which prepares aspiring drivers for the challenges of off-road racing.
“I think this has been a success,” said Elzahid. “Our racers have returned safely, which is the most important part. The event was organized and carried out very well, thanks to our excellent team of volunteers.”
For Elzahid, the success of this event is a good sign for the future. “So far, people have been very responsive to our efforts, and the sport in general,” he said. “Things like this put Egypt on the map, in terms of motor sports as well as tourism. We’re proving that we can indeed host and participate in large events of a similar nature. And they are also good for our racers, it puts them in a better position to participate in international rallies.”
A few hours later, at an awards ceremony held at the Steingenberger Hotel, spirits were soaring among the racing teams, now freed from the constraints of their FIA-regulated bucket seats and six-point seatbelts. As the racers roamed between tables shaking hands, slapping backs, and sharing high-fives, EFMS board member Abdelhamid “Mido” Abouyoussef took his place behind the podium to thank attendees, volunteers, and participants for an overall successful rally.
“The course was difficult this year, more so than any of our previous races,” Abouyoussef told the crowd. “This was intentional–we want to prepare our teams for longer, harder races. We want Egyptian teams to be able to compete on any level, under any circumstance.”
The resounding success of the 2010 Egypt Rally Cup should lead to further events and bigger challenges in the future. However for the moment the racers seemed to have more immediate concerns. “Right now, we rest,” said one exhausted winner, holding up his trophy. “Tonight, we fill this baby up with champagne!”
FINAL RESULTS OVERALL:
3rd Place: Sand Sea Sailors — Pilot: Hany Omar
Co-pilot: Akram al-Sharif
2nd Place: Sand Sea Sailors — Pilot: Tarek el-Erian
Co-pilot: Mohamed Aly
1st Place: Rally Raid Egypt — Pilot: Karim el-Zanaty
Co-pilot: Hani Madbouli
