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Speed demon Khalid Mohammed has had a tantalising taste of the international drag circuit scene and is gearing up for more race action tomorrow.
He is preparing to take on the world’s fastest drivers in a full season next year by competing in his third challenge on the track at North Carolina’s Rockingham Dragway.
The 42-year-old Bahrain drag-racing champion travelled to the US in July to participate in the first three rounds of the Professional Drag Racing Association (PDRA) Championship Series.
The garage manager, from Zayed Town, said: “I’m extremely happy and excited. This year I was only able to compete in three races but next year I will take part in all eight. It’s a great competition to be part of. But for now, I am looking forward to the next race. I just need a good night’s sleep and I am ready to go.”
The first race took place at the Virginia Motorsports Park Circuit in July and he recently competed at the Tulsa Raceway Park in Oklahoma with sensational results.
Whilst driving in the Pro-Mod category with a 1969 Camaro boasting 3,000 horse power, the father-of-two proved his mettle after qualifying first, clocking a record time of 3.811 seconds and a top speed of 198.70mph, guaranteeing him a spot in the semi-finals.
Mohammed, who drives for E Kanoo Racing Team, is the first Bahraini to compete in an American Worldwide Championship Drag Racing category. The team is sponsored by Q80 Racing from Kuwait, headed by Shaikh Daej Al Fahad Al Subah and is considered as one of the best drag racing teams in the region.
Mohammed’s international drag racing dreams were made possible by carrier providers DHL who took care of shipping his car to the US.
Malcolm Macbeth, VP aviation of DHL Express Middle East and Africa, said: “We take great pride in investing in local sporting talents, helping them achieve their goals on an international stage.
“This is the first time ever that a Bahraini drag-racing driver has attempted to participate in America in a Worldwide Championship Drag Racing event. We’re delighted to have been able to provide the necessary support and the means to transport the car to the US and represent Bahrain on a world class stage and fulfil Khalid’s quest to beat the best.”
Mohammed’s need for speed started with super bikes before gradually steering towards motor sport and drag racing in 2002. He can often be seen driving around Bahrain in his beloved Z06 Corvette.
Despite reaching an age when others might be thinking of easing up, Mohammed has no plans to settle for the slow lane. He said: “I want to go faster and I get a rush out of drag racing although I would love to be an F1 racer too. My favourite driver is Lewis Hamilton.”
In 2005, Mohammed achieved his American drag racing licence after training at a school in the US.
Since being bitten by the motor racing bug, Mohammed has competed in various events and made his mark at the Bahrain International Circuit’s Bahrain Drag Racing Championship, at Um Al Quwain in UAE, at the ¼ mile in Kuwait, in Yas Marina in Abu Dhabi and at the Arabian Drag Racing League in Qatar Racing City.
He won the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship in April and is once again expected to be one of the leading drivers in his category when the Bahrain National Drag Racing season kicks off later this year.
