Team Abu Dhabi revs it up at Rally Portugal

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team driver, Sheikh Khaled Al Qassimi, who became the highest WRC point scoring Arab driver in history recently, will be joined at the start line by three Team Abu Dhabi Junior drivers.

"This may well be unique in the world of rallying," said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director-General for Tourism Operations at the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADTA. "To have a full manufacturer team driver as well as three Junior Drivers, all carrying the Abu Dhabi message in the same event is a fantastic story for the emirate and illustrates our commitment to the rallying program."

Portugal represents the WRC debut of Majed Al Shamsi, Bader Al Jabri and Ahmed Al Mansoori, three members of the Team Abu Dhabi Junior Driver Development program.

They will be competing in the 6 rounds of the International Fiesta Sporting Trophy 2009 that will see them travel to Portugal, Italy, Poland, Finland, Spain and the UK.

"We are very pleased to have reached this milestone point of the Abu Dhabi rally program," said Sheikh Khaled, who is the principle of Team Abu Dhabi and mentor to the Junior Drivers. "With the support of Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan and the ADTA, we are not only giving the juniors the best possible experience, but also promoting Abu Dhabi as a destination."

The junior drivers will be following the same route as Sheikh Khaled and be guided by his advice and knowledge that his experience at the highest level of the sport can provide.

"Having Sheikh Khaled competing on the same event and on the same stages brings us a lot of benefits", commented Majed Al Shamsi, Junior Driver said. "He has already talked us through his thoughts on the route after the recce and we will be taking his advice on board as he completes each run ahead of us."

Team Abu Dhabi is also receiving support from two of the most established names in rallying, M Sport who run Ford's World Rally program and the manufacturer itself.

"This is a huge step for the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and their rally program and as a key partner we will be providing all the support and advice possible," said Malcolm Wilson, principle of M Sport. "We are very pleased to be involved in this world class development program and will be following the three Junior Drivers' progress very closely."

Mark Deans, Head of Motor-Sport for Ford of Europe added, "Having four Abu Dhabi based drivers in Ford cars in Portugal is a great illustration of the partnership between Ford and Abu Dhabi. It's a great opportunity for the young drivers to get some invaluable experience of everything that rallying can throw at them. We hope for a good solid result from all three."

The Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's rallying program has been developed to promote the destination to a global audience while providing opportunities to create home-grown rally heroes. An estimated live audience of 100,000 spectators will watch the Junior Drivers in action this weekend.

Rally Portugal, which runs from 2nd to 5th April is the fourth round of the 2009 WRC season. Total competitive distance is 359km on fast and technical gravel roads in the hills around the Algarve town of Faro.