Fahad Al Mussalam of HH Shaikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s ‘The Unstoppabulls’ Racing Team, sped to victory in the opening race of the MINI Challenge' at the Bahrain International Circuit.

The race was organised by Euro Motors – the exclusive importer of BMW Group cars in the Kingdom - and held in conjunction with the Bahrain Motor Federation. It featured 14 MINI Cooper Club Sport cars, each sponsored by local companies, with identical specifications and engine capacity.

In Race One of the five-round challenge, Al Musallam finished ahead of Ebrahim Kanoo of Al Ayam Al Riadi newspaper team and Island Foods/Bison Racing Team's Keith Wake, who finished in second and third places respectively.

“It was a great victory for the team as it now puts us in good stead for the rest of the season,” said Mussalam. “I went out there and did my best and we clinched the maximum points available.

“We now have to build on this and maintain a level of consistency throughout the season”

The ‘MINI Challenge’, the Middle East’s first one make car series, will now break for the summer and resume again in September, with three more racing events in addition to the final race at the end of the season. The drivers’ skills and knowledge will also be tested in various events including sprints and other timed races.


“The first round of the MINI Challenge was a success for everyone involved and we are thrilled that the drivers could demonstrate their abilities in a safe and controlled environment,” said Zayed Al Zayani, Managing Director, Euro Motors- the exclusive importer for BMW Group cars and motorcycles in the Kingdom.

“By presenting the opportunity for amateur racing talents to participate in this motor sports programme, Euro Motors has again underlined it support for all sectors of the Kingdom’s society by demonstrating the importance of safe and responsible driving.”

The ‘MINI Cooper Club Sport’ Edition, a modified racing version of the MINI Cooper, features a fully FIA-approved roll cage, a racing seat with five point racing harness, a fire extinguisher and both external and internal electronic and fuel safety cut-off switches. The car also comes with up-rated brakes, lowered and stiffened suspension with up-rated dampers and springs to ensure optimum handling under both road and race conditions.

The ‘MINI Cooper Club Sport’ is converted by the renowned John Cooper Garages in the UK, which have over 40 years of motorsport experience. Featuring a standard 115 bhp MINI Cooper, 4-cylinder engine with 1.6 litre displacement, the conversion has been designed to be a dual-purpose car satisfying requirements of both daily road use and competitive motorsports.

The participating teams are (in given numbers order) 1. Unstoppabulls, 2. Intercol, 3. Al Ayam Al Riadi, 4. Total Floor Solutions, 5. NoNoo Exchange, 6. Castrol, 7. AFI, 8. DHL, 9.GOYS 10. BMF, 11. Allied Car Rental, 12. KSA Racing, 13. Al Wardi Group, 14. Bison Energy Drink Racing Team.