Abu Dhabi: The emirate of Abu Dhabi will break new ground when it plays host to the inaugural FIA Historic Sporting Car Rally Championship in the second week of January, 2007.
A total of 44 cars, all vintage and classics produced decades ago, will battle it out in a new leg of their European Championship in Abu Dhabi on January 12-13, 2007.
The European Historic Rally Championship, which is staged every year in seven countries and extends into a total of 14 events, will now add the Abu Dhabi leg also.
The event is being held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA).
Addressing a press conference here yesterday, ADTA's Faisal Al Shaikh, the Events Planning Officer said, “The ADTA, supported by the Abu Dhabi Government is committed to its objective of positioning Abu Dhabi as a truly world destination for tourism and business.''
“Over the next few months the ADTA will be focusing on the development of an event-based destination awareness strategy which will showcase Abu Dhabi to a potential world audience beyond 800 million people,'' he said.
“We look forward to the event and hope that it becomes a regular inclusion on the Abu Dhabi calendar of events,'' Faisal said.
Michael Stoschek, the European champion from Germany, Italian champion Riolo, Austrian champion Ernst Harrach and Finnish champion Veikaanen will be racing in their Porsches and Escorts, according to Milena Wildenauer, of Eva and Milena Events.
“The rally champions and drivers are from Italy, Germany, Austria, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland. The Rally will start in Abu Dhabi and will reach Jebel Hafit in Al Ain after touching Swaihan,'' she said.
“There will be competitions in three categories and drivers from the UAE will also be welcome to take part in one of the categories,'' Milena said.
Group Plus is organising the event and will be joining hands with The Federation International of Automobiles (FIA), ATC UAE, Emirates Driving Company, Eva and Milena Events and Gear One.
“We hope to bring together fans of the car racing world as well as broader audiences for this event which is the first of its kind in the UAE & Middle East,'' said Georges Chehwane of Group Plus.
Dr. Gehad Y. Esbaita, General Manager of Emirates Driving Company said his organisation will be acting as facilitators of the event.
“We will be totally involved in the logistics of the arriving drivers, their crew and the vehicles. We will also be hosting all the technical committee meetings and play a major role in organising the event,'' said Esbaita.