Dubai: Motorsport in the UAE is witnessing its most prosperous time, according to a top official from the Emirates Motor Sports Federation (EMSF).
"Motorsport activity in the UAE is at its best at this moment," said director-general Khalid Malek at the season-ending awards function held on Monday.
The pairing of Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi and Khalid Al Kindi triumphed in the Saloon category of the 2007 UAE Rally Championships, while Thani Al Falasi and Yaqoub Mohammad took the top honours in the Cross Country category.
Shaikh Saeed Bin Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum was the chief guest for the evening along with EMSF Chairman Shaikh Marwan Bin Rashid Al Mualla.
"What we are experiencing today is possibly the healthiest time for our sport," Malek said.
"To start with, motorsport activities are no longer being centralised only in Dubai or Umm Al Quwain with new clubs and venues being opened up in Al Ain, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi.
"And then we have the Formula One track coming up in Abu Dhabi, which is going to take this sport to a completely different level.
Spreading
"There are more people interested in various motorsports, and there are more people organising better events. The sport is spreading out all over the UAE and this can only mean it is headed in the right direction.
"After a long time, drivers and riders from the UAE are venturing out on the regional and international stage as well."
The presentation witnessed all category winners and sponsors being felicitated by Shaikh Saeed and Shaikh Marwan.
The late Sameer Habib and Ali Dadi were awarded the best beginners' award, while Waleed Afani walked away with two awards - in the C Modified class and the overall prize in the Autocross Championship.
In the C Standard class, Hossam Al Ansari won the title, while Ryan Copeland won in the D Standard class. Aref Al Ramli took the E Standard prize and Alan Nawfal won in the B Modified category. In the Bikes Championships, Abdul Aziz Bakr Bin Laden was the runaway winner, while Yamaha won the manufaturers' prize.
