From the Goal Line
A Mercer Island Sports Blog
Hydro drivers in Qatar
November 18th, 2009 at Wed, 18th, 2009 at 2:07 pm by Megan Managan
As I reported on a couple of weeks ago a group of 10 hydro drivers and their teams (many of which are from Washington, like Dr. Ken Muscatel). Everyone safely made the trip earlier this week to the Middle East and are now preparing for the qualifying races beginning Thursday. Here’s a little snippet of what the drivers are doing in some of their down time. Thanks to Owen Blauman for getting me on the mailing list!
DOHA, Qatar – Brian Perkins (Black Diamond, Wash.) driver of the U-48 Go Fast Turn Left Unlimited Hydroplane turned in his race boat seat for a saddle and girth on a camel at a camel race track north of Doha, Qatar. After his laps as a gentleman jockey Perkins said he enjoys being one of the 10 hydroplane drivers racing in the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship Nov 19-21.
“When I had the opportunity to get on one, I was surprised as to how high I was once they stood up,” Perkins said of the camel. “I must have been ten feet in the air.”
Hejen Racing Committee hosted the unlimited drivers, their families, race officials and race crews.
Qualifying for the Oryx Cup in the Middle East begins Thursday on the Arabian Sea.
Brian Perkins, one of the hydro drivers competing this weekend in Doha, Qatar, took a break from the water to give camel racing a try. Photo by Bill Osborne/ABRA.
Megan Managan I’m the sports reporter at the Mercer Island Reporter newspaper. On this blog you’ll find extra bits and pieces to stories I’ve written, behind the scene looks at teams and observations on the sports in our area. I’ll field questions here, and ask a few too. You can follow me on Twitter (@MIRsports ) or send me an e-mail.
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