Al-Rajhi keen to
learn in SWRC

Al-Rajhi, from Saudi Arabia, is fifth in the standings starting this week’s Rallye de France Alsace in the Ford Fiesta RRC he shares with co-driver Michael Orr.

“I see some drivers who go to drive a World Rally Car but they are not ready and you see them stop,” said Al-Rajhi. “For me I can’t go fighting in a World Rally Car with my experience and if I don’t go to this level to fight then I don’t go at all. When I am leading the SWRC on every stage then I look at my next step but that’s not yet.”

Al-Rajhi has impressed during his maiden season in the SWRC. He almost won his class in Portugal before a late mechanical failure forced his retirement but has hit back with podiums in Finland and Great Britain since then.

“I still have a level to reach but I try to learn a lot and see my times improve,” he said. “Next year my plan is to the SWRC, the Middle East championship and I maybe the Finland championship because I can learn a lot.”

Co-driver Orr is a big admirer of Al-Rajhi, adding: “The aim is to be as competitive as we can in the SWRC. At the moment that’s all we’re focusing on. We’re consistent on whatever surface and whatever the conditions. We’ve already achieved our targets without taking maximum risks, which is very encouraging. Now we have to move the goalposts.”