News | December 2, 2023

Mohammad Al-AbdalRazzaq on… the Hankook 12H KUWAIT

Q&A interview with Kuwait Motor Town general manager Mohammad Al-AbdalRazzaq.
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Heading into last year’s Hankook 12H KUWAIT, Kuwait Motor Town general manager Mohammad Al-AbdalRazzaq and his team had a monumental task ahead of them, as the circuit prepared to host its first-ever international motor race. One year on, Mohammad considers how successful the inaugural Hankook 12H KUWAIT really was for the state’s first permanent racing facility and how, with experience now behind them, this affected preparations for this year’s event.

Mohammad, last year, Kuwait Motor Town hosted its first international motor race. Looking back, how successful was that for both the circuit and Kuwaiti motorsport in general?

M: “Hosting our first international motor race was a significant milestone for us at Kuwait Motor Town, and I think the first Hankook 12H KUWAIT was a major success for all parties involved in the event. It was a major step forward for our circuit in terms of readiness and capability of hosting international motor racing, and provided a global platform to showcase local rising talents in Kuwaiti motorsport.”

The 2022 Hankook 12H KUWAIT was received very favourably by competitors and fans. Did the sheer size of the fan turnout surprise you at all?

M: “We were more ‘excited’ than ‘surprised’! To the point that we’re looking forward to welcoming an even larger fan turnout for the second Hankook 12H Kuwait.”

A significant part of any race, let alone a 12-hour event, are the marshals and car recovery from gravel traps. Just how steep a learning curve was that for KMT during last year’s race?

M: “Our marshals, recovery, medical and extrication teams are at the core of our circuit operations, and we’re extremely proud of all the time and effort they put in to ensure the safety of all participants. But without a doubt, the Hankook 12H KUWAIT experience has helped improve each teams’ skill sets in adapting to longer hours and series specific regulations.” 

What lessons did you and your team in particular learn from the 2022 race? And what do you hope to implement or improve upon at this year’s Hankook 12H KUWAIT?

M: “Motorsport is dynamic both on and off-track. For our team, it is crucial that we can adapt to any circumstance, overcome any obstacle, and always set our vision towards the end goal. Transparency and clear communications are of high importance between all organizing parties to ensure a successful event, and that will be no different at this year’s Hankook 12H KUWAIT.”

Is there anything, in hindsight, you would have done differently, either preparing for last year’s event, or during the race itself?

M: “Honestly? No. But we believe that there is always room for improvement, of course.  Without the minor obstacles we had to face last year, whether it was on the lead up to that weekend or the race itself, we would not have been able to test our response in tackling any presented issue.”

Team Kuwait took outright pole position last year, and will be back for the 2023 event too. How important do you feel it is to have a ‘national’ team on the grid for the Hankook 12H KUWAIT

M: “We take great pride in representing Kuwait as a circuit, as much as we do when a Kuwaiti team participates in an international motor race under the 24H SERIES banner. The Hankook 12H KUWAIT has set its mark in history as the first international motor race in Kuwait, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing more national teams participate in the future.”

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