Dubai: Mohammad Bin Sulayem believes a ground-breaking event being staged by Dubai Autodrome next month can play an important part in the drive to create a new generation of UAE motorsport competitors.
Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and the Emirates Motor Sport Federation, is giving his full backing to the first Emirates Motorsport Expo which is designed to identify a range of entry level opportunities for enthusiasts.
The unique event takes place at Dubai Autodrome on September 2 and Sulayem, the Expo’s patron, says: “It’s a great new initiative to bridge the gap between the public and motorsport sectors.
“In order to encourage motorsport in the UAE we need to ensure that future competitors and stakeholders have the knowledge and platform to begin their careers in motorsport.
“It is the vision and goal of the ATCUAE to provide these platforms while continuing to ensure all levels of UAE motorsport is kept to the highest standard.”
Organised by Dubai Autodrome in collaboration with the ATCUAE, and with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, the Emirates Motorsport Expo will bring together all forms of UAE motorsport, from circuit racing to cross country rallying for cars and bikes.
Those interested in becoming actively involved in motorsport will have the opportunity to meet teams, competitors and key stakeholders.
Among the top racing teams present will be AUH Motorsport (Radicals), Dragon Racing (NGK and F4), Formula Gulf Academy (single seater), GP Extreme (NGK and F1) Saluki Motorsport (offroad) and UAE Superbikes.
The ATCUAE, the national motorsport authority, sporting organisers of the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, will use the opportunity to highlight the attractions of the new UAE Formula 4 Championship.
Aimed at young drivers aged from 15-years-old in the Middle East and North African region, the Championship will feature 18 races held over six events at both the Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina circuits between October 2016 and March 2017.
“The new Formula 4 Championship is a very exciting addition to the UAE motorsport calendar, and one of the purposes of the new Expo is to spotlight the wide range of opportunities that exist here for enthusiasts at entry level,” said Richard Birch, general manager of Dubai Autodrome.
“We are very grateful to Mohammad Bin Sulayem and his team at the ATCUAE for the support they are providing for this new event, and we look forward to working with them to ensure that it goes from strength to strength and helps attract a new wave of young talent into the sport.”
The Expo will feature key note speakers from teams, drivers and ATCUAE officials, as well as a range of ‘Passenger Ride Experiences’ on the Autodrome circuit in various race and road cars.
