UAE motorsport geared up for bright future with drive to develop local talent

Headlined by the Formula 1 Etched Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 4 November, the 2012-13 season getting under way next month is designed around the classic motor sport 'ladder' system which aims to carry drivers from entry level karting towards the ultimate goal of Grand Prix racing.

Measures to boost the sport at grass roots level continue with the expansion of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge, which sees the national karting championship running at four venues for the first time, with the AARKC and DAMC Motor City karting series adding more competitive depth.

From karting, the opportunities for young drivers to progress and develop their skills is underlined by the wide range of single seater and touring car circuit racing events running in a new season that will consist of more than 140 competitive events.

"Motor sport in the UAE has matured dramatically in a relatively short space of time and our priority is to ensure that this growth is sustainable," ATCUAE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said at a press conference today at the Grand Hyatt Dubai. "The Government has made a huge investment in motor sport and it is vital that we respond by doing everything we can to bring in more young local drivers to build the interest of the UAE people, and all stakeholders."

Sulayem, Vice President of the FIA for Sport, added: "We have an exciting new season ahead of us, and karting is more prominent than ever, with opportunities for young drivers to progress through the cadet, junior and senior levels into the many forms of circuit racing we now have."

Increasing the lure of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge this season, the national karting championship will run for the first time on the spectacular north section of the Grand Prix Circuit at Yas Marina Circuit, in addition to Al Ain Raceway, Dubai Kartdrome and Al Forsan, Abu Dhabi's new world-class sports and leisure venue.

Senior officials from each of the four venues, as well as Dubai Autodrome, joined Sulayem to preview the 2012-13 season which shows how the face of motor sport has been transformed over the last two decades from the pioneering days of rallying.

On the starting grid are an attractive variety of circuit racing events, including the UAE GT and Touring Car Championships, the UAE Radical Winter Cup and Radical Cup, as well as the dramatic Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai and the Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit.

Adding to the action are rounds of the Australian V8 Supercars and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, with more excitement and raw power provided by the Arabian Gulf Drag and Pro Drag attractions, also at Yas Marina Circuit.

A 14-times former FIA Middle East rally champion, Sulayem has a special affection for the Dubai International Rally, which he won 15 times and was the first annual UAE sporting event to capture international attention, and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, which he launched in 1991.

"They are very special events not only to myself, but to all those who have competed in them down the years, and they remain among the most important events on our motor sport calendar," he said. "They have unique places in our sporting history and are an important part our future."

Motor sport in the UAE is certainly not an exclusive four-wheel domain. The 2012-13 season promises more great competitive bike action in the 600 cc and Rookies classes as well as the National and Club Motocross series, while UAE riders will again share the stage with the world's top bikes stars in the Desert Challenge next April.