Middle East War Hits Local Drag Racing Scene
Top Fuel’s Shawn Langdon details cancellation of Qatar series; keeps in touch with friends amid region’s turmoil.
Middle East War Hits Local Drag Racing Scene Arabian Drag Racing League Cancellation of Formula One races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia next month due to the war in the Middle East grabbed the headlines, but the conflict has also adversely affected drag racing in that area. “They have a local series (in Qatar). They had to cancel it due to all the conflict,” said Kalitta Motorsports Top Fuel competitor Shawn Langdon, who spent his winter competing in the Arabian Drag Racing League.
“I hate to see it. It’s a beautiful country. They, obviously, don’t want those wars.
” More than a decade ago, Langdon raced in the NHRA for Al-Anabi Racing which was funded by Sheik Khalid bin Hamad Al-Thani. His teammate was Khalid alBalooshi. Since the bombing of Iran began, Langdon has talked daily with Sheik Khalid, whose family owns Qatar.
“I’ve also been in communication with a couple of the other people that I’ve met. Kind of a ‘hey, man stay safe,’” Langdon continued. Langdon also has communicated with his former teammate Khalid alBalooshi, who is in Dubai.