Dubai: The Dubai Sport Channel will air two one-hour specials on the ATCUAE's successful UAE Motorsport Star programme this coming weekend, capitalising on the growing excitement across the Emirates in the run up to the third Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on November 13.
The first programme will focus on the selection stage of the UAE Motorsport Star that took place in July 2011, where karting champion Mohammad Al Daheri and circuit racing star Mohammad Al Mutawa were selected as the winners of the programme from a shortlist of young drivers.
The winners were chosen by an expert panel, headed by ATCUAE President and FIA Vice-President Mohammad Bin Sulayem, based on their performance in a series of physiological, psychological and media tests, culminating in a final interview with the expert panel.
The testing was conducted by sports science professionals from the ATCUAE and University of Ulster in the UK. Much of the testing process took place in the studio of the Dubai Sports channel.
Northern Ireland
The second programme will cover Al Daheri and Al Mutawa's trip to the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland to undergo a week-long intensive training course, designed to teach them the necessary off-track skills to become successful motorsport athletes, and included strength and conditioning, nutritional, and psychological training.
They were accompanied to Europe by ATCUAE personnel and a film crew from the Dubai Sports Channel.
Bin Sulayem said of the television programmes: "Everyone at the ATCUAE is extremely proud of the UAE Motorsport Star programme and we are pleased that the involvement of the Dubai Sports channel will allow everyone in the UAE to see the science and training that is involved in becoming a professional driver. These days, all the top competitors are true athletes."
