DOHA, QATAR (January 13, 2011) – Khalid Al-Balooshi had an excited tone in his voice last week after picking up his second win in four races in the Arabian Drag Racing League.
But it was also obvious that Al-Balooshi and his Speedtech team aren't nearly content heading into Thursday's Round Five at Qatar Racing Club (QRC).
"We have laid down some solid runs over these last four races, but we really need to pick it up," tuner Brandon Switzer. "There are a lot of tough Pro Nitrous teams over here and everyone has had about five weeks worth of testing and racing on the same track, which means it is only going to get harder to qualify and win rounds from here on out."
Al-Balooshi and his team had their toughest challenge last week during testing before Round Four.
After going 3.88 at nearly 193 miles per hour in testing, Al-Balooshi's Camaro was engulfed in flames at the starting line just before it was supposed to make one last test run.
But the staff and track crew were immediately on it, putting the fire out in less than 30 seconds. The quick response was surely appreciated by Al-Balooshi and his team, and it also was key in the car not getting damaged and being able to run the next day.
"Everyone from Team Speedtech wants to thank the staff and track crew for doing such an awesome job last week on getting the fire we had last out so quick," Al-Balooshi said. "If it wasn't for them we still would not have a car to race this weekend. We really can't thank everyone enough for getting to the fire so quick."
Al-Balooshi took advantage of the opportunity to race, going 3.88 to finish second in qualifying.
His 3.84 in the first round was the best run of the day, and he followed that with a 3.86 in a red-light win against Shannon Jenkins before going 194 mph in the finals.
Al-Balooshi went 3.86 in the finals on Friday, knocking off Khaled Mohamed.
After what the team overcame, it made the win that much sweeter.
"Everybody has worked hard to get this done and I'm very happy with my team. They're doing an awesome job," Al-Balooshi said. "Everybody in this class is running fast, just like it is in the American Drag Racing League (ADRL).
"But everybody who works on this team has put me in a beautiful car. This race we weren't looking at running fast, but hopefully we will be perfect before the season ends."
That's where the not staying content has come into play.
Al-Balooshi can look around and see the talented field, and he knows he can't stand pat.
The team is shooting for the low 3.8s for the final four races of the season, which would likely be enough to keep Al-Balooshi in the points lead heading into the final race of the season.
"We had a great race last weekend," Al-Balooshi said. "My team has been working very hard this week to try and squeeze every bit of ET and MPH out of each run as we can. I want to thank all of them for working so hard and giving me such a good car each week.
"Hopefully we can make the car even faster before the end of the season."
