Sulayem roars back into action for charity

Five corporate sponsors are paying Dhs75,000 each for a thrilling ride with Sulayem, who has not driven competitively since winning the Dubai International Rally for a 15th time in December 2002.

The charity drive, which will be televised live by Dubai Sports Channel, will take place next Saturday afternoon in the city's Al Mamzar area.

Sulayem, a rallying legend and President of the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, will drive his much loved Ford Escort World Rally Car over a twisting track built specially for the occasion close to the club's brand new premises.

He last drove the car - which was later replaced by the Ford Focus WRC - on his way to securing the 1999 Middle East title.

The charity drive is sponsored by Jebel Ali International Hotels, Mashreq Bank, Emarat, Tameer and Dubai Islamic Insurance & Reinsurance Company (AMAN). The event is also supported by Dubai Sports Channel which is hosting today's official press conference.

A senior representative from each of the five sponsors will take the co-drivers' seat alongside Sulayem to experience a ride of their lives with the most successful driver in FIA international rallying history.

The charity drive was inspired by the Dubai Cares initiative launched by H.H.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

"Rallying has given me a lot over the years and I want to give something back to people who have not been so fortunate," said Sulayem, who will donate the proceeds to a number of UAE charities.

Dubai Municipality is supporting the charity drive - which gets under way at 3pm next Saturday - by building the track for the event, while the Dutco Group is erecting public grandstands for spectators.

It comes during a busy time for Sulayem, with the EATC moving into its new HQ in Al Mamzar shortly before staging the 2007 Dubai International Rally, final round of this year's FIA Middle East Championship, on 30th November and 1st December. The new premises have been built on a 30,000 sq ft plot of land donated by Sheikh Mohammed, who is the Club's patron.

From there the EATC will centralise control of motor sport in the Emirates as well as its services for motoring tourists and travellers as the nominated representative in the Emirates of both the FIA, motor sport's world governing body, and its motor cycling counterpart, the FIM.

During his career Sulayem scores 60 rally wins in the FIA Middle East series, and his impressive trail of victories included two Group N successes in the FIA World Rally Championship in Spain and Argentina.