Abu Dhabi: The renamed BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team heads to Monaco this week for the World Rally Championship's season opening stage - Rally Monte Carlo - and the UAE's Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi 'can't wait' to get behind the wheel of the Abu Dhabi emblazoned mean machine.
Given his WRC opportunity as part of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's historic partnership with twice consecutive WRC manufacturers' champions BP-Ford, Shaikh Khalid said: "It's a new Abu Dhabi team, and the car's very different with new colours.
"The heritage red of the new Abu Dhabi brand is very dominant and I can't wait to drive it for the first time competitively in Monaco."
Shaikh Khalid will drive in 10 WRC events this year after a successful debut WRC season last year where he competed in Finland, Germany, Spain and Ireland, and impressed his WRC peers and fans by finishing every rally and putting in rapid stage times.
The freshly designed 2008 World Rally Championship car has wowed spectators at the 12th tee of Abu Dhabi Golf Club's National Course this week during the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships.
The car is now due to move on to Al Ain where it will be on show at this weekend's Al Ain International Aerobatics Championships - which runs from January 24-27.
