Dubai: The Emirates Motor Sports Federation is concentrating on fresh, low-budget activities in an attempt to attract more enthusiasts to the sport.
"The economic crisis has given us a fair dose of lessons to learn from," Emirates Motor Sports Federation general manager Ahmad Sharif told Gulf News.
"Following a short break in activities we have decided to focus on low budgets and take the sport to a new level."
Sharif said the first on his list of activities was the UAE Sand Track Championships scheduled to get under way during Ramadan.
The competition, already a huge hit after being organised on a couple of occasions in Umm Al Quwain recently, would consist of seven rounds starting with Fujairah next month.
"Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi have confirmed and we are still in negotiations with Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman," Sharif said.
"The idea really is to have one round in each of the seven emirates with the opening round in Fujairah during Ramadan acting as part of the annual Maktoum Championships. The demand is there and the enthusiasm of the local drivers is something that has pushed us to get this competition under way. In addition, we are likely to have competitors from Qatar and Saudi Arabia too."
Also on the anvil was the re-launch of the popular UAE Autocross Championships along with the likelihood of a few rounds of the Rally Championships as well. "We need to take things as they come. But the focus is very much there," Sharif said.
Sponsors were constantly on the look-out for a sound return on their investments, he said. "You require Dh300,000 to 400,000 to run one round of a rally. If you don't have the right number of cars then it is pointless putting together an event," Sharif said.
Since 2008, EMSF has seen a lull in activities following an internal re-organisation and due to the economic situation worldwide.
"I am confident we can look forward to a great season ahead," Sharif said.
