Strong
finale
for Khalid

Al Qassimi, who finished 12th overall on RallyRACC-Rally de Espana alongside co-driver Michael Orr, scored eight manufacturers’ points to put Team Abu Dhabi four points clear of the Munchi’s Ford World Rally Team.

With Munchi’s not in action on the season-closing Wales Rally GB and the eighth-placed Monster World Rally Team unlikely to reverse the 23-point deficit to Team Abu Dhabi in Wales, the Ford-supported outfit is almost certain to finish sixth in the final reckoning.

Al Qassimi will miss Wales Rally GB due to commitments at his country’s clashing Formula One grand prix when he hopes to finalise a date for the surgery required on the knee injury he suffered in a crash on Rally Japan last year.

“There are a couple of good doctors coming to the grand prix and they will decide when I can have the operation,” said Al Qassimi.

With Al Qassimi unable to compete in Great Britain, Russian Evgeny Novikov will take over Team Abu Dhabi’s Ford Fiesta RS WRC for the gravel event, which takes place from 10-13 November.

Of his plans for 2012, Al Qassimi said: “It will be clear after the grand prix. Now everybody is busy with the grand prix.”