Fastest Batelco Driver in Supercars Test, set to Participate in Nivea 24 Hour Challenge with Batelco Karting Team

Batelco, as part of its commitment to fostering sports in the Kingdom, has announced its backing for up-and-coming driver Raed Raffii to support his efforts in the Chevrolet Supercars ME Championship.

Batelco Group General Manager Media & Government Relations Ahmed Al Janahi presented a cheque to Raed at a meeting at Batelco’s Hamala HQ recently.

Raed topped the combined timesheet at the Chevrolet pre-season testing held at the BIC, with a fastest lap of one minute 14.940 seconds. His best mark was the only time under 1:15.000 around BIC's 2.55-kilometre inner track the entire day. An international field of drivers from Australia, Canada, Egypt, UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia is participating in the Challenge.

Fresh from this recent success Raed is now ready to challenge all comers at the Nivea for Men Endurance Challenge 24 Hour race being held in Dubai, as a key participant of the Batelco Karting team which also includes Team captain Mohd Mattar, Mohd Al A’Ali and Isa Al Kooheji.

Round two of the 24 hour Challenge will be held at the Dubai Autodrome on the 23rd & 24th of October. The highly competitive Nivea Challenge is made up of three rounds of races, with Team Batelco finishing third in the first round of this year’s challenge. Prior to this year’s podium finish, Team Batelco had won the final round of last years Nivea Challenge.

“Batelco has a tradition of supporting promising Bahraini athletes and Raed Raffii is an immensely talented young driver,” said Mr. Al Janahi.

“We are proud of Raed’s achievements in the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Challenge and wish him and the Batelco Karting team every success in the remaining races of the Nivea Challenge.”

Following the 24 Hour Challenge, the Chevrolet Supercars season is set to get underway. The first race will be held in support of the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which is taking place at Yas Marina Circuit between October 30 and November 1. Later rounds will also be held at Yas Marina and at the BIC, as a support race for the annual Bahrain Grand Prix. The final race of the calendar will take place at Reem International Circuit in Riyadh.

October 14,2009