Sulayem offers tribute after Qatar rally driver Misfer Al Marri dies

Sulayem congratulates Al Marri after the Qatari had clinched the 2010 FIA Middle East Championship title in the Dubai International Rally.

Dubai, UAE, 24 February, 2014: Mohammed Ben Sulayem today paid tribute to Qatari rally driver and former FIA Middle East champion, Misfer Al Marri, who has died following an illness.

“This is very sad news, and a big loss to rallying in Qatar, and the Middle East as a whole,” said Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE.

“My first thoughts are with Misfer’s family and friends, and I send them my deepest condolences. He was a very likeable guy, and a passionate rally competitor who always gave everything.

“I had a lot of time for him because he was very open and straightforward. He was a regular visitor to the UAE to compete in the Dubai International Rally and we were always very happy to welcome him.”

Al Marri clinched the FIA Middle East Rally Championship drivers title in 2010 with third place in Dubai in the final round of the series. He died on Sunday night in a London hospital where he had been under treatment for an illness.