Dubai: The FIA Middle East Rally Championship has been a key element in the growth of motorsport in the region, a new report says.
Launched by the FIA, motorsport's world governing body, in 1984, the championship created major public and media attention by turning top Arab drivers into sporting heroes, and attracting sponsors who helped grow the sport.
The influence of the FIA Middle East Championship is underlined in the FIA Middle East Strategy document for 2010-2014, "Driving Motorsport Forward Together", which was unveiled by Mohammad Bin Sulayem, the FIA's Vice-President for sport.
The report was compiled based on months of intensive research with the participation of the regional ASNs (national motor sport authorities).
"Today, our region has a growing pool of talented drivers and administrators," said Sulayem.
Welcome development
"It now hosts world-class events in Formula 1, the World Rally Championship and the Cross Country Rally World Cup. Coupled with this, regional interests are now substantial stakeholders in F1 and WRC teams, as well as having significant holdings in the automotive industry."
He said the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the FIA Middle East Championship this year was a welcome development, as was the expressed interest of Iran to also join the series.
"While we have achieved a great deal, motorsport in the Middle East is still in an early development stage when compared to the more established European regions," he added.
