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Veteran Qatar rally star Sheikh Hamad bin Eid passes away

Veteran Qatar rally star Sheikh Hamad bin Eid passes away

The Peninsula

In an unfortunate and unrelated incident to the Qatar National Baja which was held on Saturday in Dukhan, Qatar’s veteran rally driver Sheikh Hamad Bin Eid Al Thani died while watching the rally action.

The QMMF released a statement which said the death took place after his withdrawal as a participant from the fourth round of the Qatar National Baja.

“Sheikh Hamad started the first stage of the race but decided to withdraw from the competition and returned to the maintenance area. His condition was very normal,” the QMMF stated.

“Sheikh Hamad accompanied one of his friends in his private car to watch the rest of the stages of the race, but he fell unconscious. His friend informed the local organizing committee and returned him to the rally headquarters immediately,” the statement added.

The QMMF statement pointed out 'that the medical team assigned to the Qatar National Baja quickly dealt with the case and gave him relief at the rally headquarters in Dukhan area before moving to the Cuban Hospital, where he passed away.'

The QMMF mourns Sheikh Hamad, one of the most prominent Qatari rally drivers, and extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and motorsport enthusiasts in Qatar, the statement added.

"Sheikh Hamad bin Eid has been one of the most prominent rally drivers in Qatar and the Gulf region as he won many local and international titles most notably winning the World Cup of Sahara Rally Championship "Cross Country" in the T2 category.

Winner of numerous rallies in Qatar and around the region, Sheikh Hamad bin Eid was hugely popular for being an avid motorsport enthusiast.