Sheikh Mohammed gives new drive to UAE Motor Sport

Established in 1965, the ATCUAE is the officially nominated representative in the Emirates of both the FIA, motor sport's world governing body, and its motor cycling counterpart, the FIM. On their behalf it supervises all organised motor sport events in the UAE for cars and bikes.

H.H.Sheikh Mohammed has approved the appointment of a board of directors for the ATCUAE, with 14-times Middle East rally champion Mohammed Ben Sulayem acting as President, and Khalfan Hareb, Mohammed Atik Al Qamzi and Saeed Al Tayer serving as board members.

"This is a very significant development for motor sport in the country which will benefit tremendously from Sheikh Mohammed's support and overall guidance," said Sulayem.

"He felt it was vital that the organisation which represents both the FIA and the FIM in the UAE, and which is dedicated to maintaining consistently high standards in the staging of events, should play a growing role in shaping the future of motor sport here.

"Myself and my fellow board members are honoured that he has placed his trust in us to oversee the ATCUAE's affairs on a day-to-day basis, and we look forward to working together to achieve our new goals."

Added Sulayem: "Sheikh Mohammed is particularly anxious to keep racing off the streets and ensure the youth of the UAE are encouraged to indulge their passion for motor sport in a safe, properly controlled environment."

"The UAE has earned a huge amount of international recognition through the successful staging and promotion of sports events, from horse racing to tennis, golf, rugby, powerboat racing and so on, and Sheikh Mohammed has been a key figure in this process.

"He believes motor sport here has a very big future, and wanted to ensure that all branches of the sport are overseen by one body with the know-how and resources to provide effective overall direction."

Sheikh Mohammed is among a distinguished line-up of national motor sport patrons that includes King Abdullah in Jordan, King Juan Carlos in Spain, Prince Albert in Monaco and Prince Michael of Kent in Great Britain.

The ATCUAE currently organises two rounds of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, the Dubai International Rally which concluded the 2005 regional series in December, and the UAE International Rally which launched the 2006 calendar in Al Ain in January.

It also supervises the UAE Desert Challenge, which Sulayem has established as the leading event in both the FIA Cross Country Rally World Cup and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship. In its new expanded role the ATCUAE will oversee the complete range of motor sport activities in the UAE, including rallying, karting, drag racing, hill climbs and a variety of motor bike activities such as moto cross.

It will also have overall responsibility for circuit racing, which was propelled into the limelight by the Middle East's first A1 Grand Prix in December.