Yas Marina shifts gear to cash in on its heavy winter schedule

Abu Dhabi: Starting with the Formula 1TM Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — from November 12 to 14 — the Yas Marina Circuit has unveiled a busy winter schedule which sees the debut of Formula Drifting along with weekly drag racing and tonnes of motor racing action.

"Abu Dhabi has a tremendous asset in Yas Marina Circuit and we want to maximise its use during the year," Richard Cregan, CEO, told reporters at a press conference yesterday.

"Last year, our focus was on delivering a successful Grand Prix; this year, we have been working very hard to develop a full range of on-track activities and events, and our calendar reflects the result," he said.

"I believe there is something for everyone in this schedule, from cycling and karting at one end of the spectrum to F1, Aussie V8s and GT1 at the other, with a complete range of racing and public track use in between.

"We're delighted to introduce the exciting sport of Formula Drift, which we believe will really capture the public's imagination with its fast action and ultimate car control."

Australian V8 Supercars will be returning to the Yas circuit in 2011 in a combined event with the GP2 Asia series on the weekend of February 11 and 12.

The FIA GT1 sportscar series will be held on March 26 and 27 while the Formula Drift will make its debut on February 25.

The UAE National Racing will feature at Yas from December 16 to 17, 2010 and again on March 17 and 18.

A new Speed Weekend, featuring Chevrolet Supercars, Porsche GT3s and Radicals, will take place on April 8 and 9. "The expansion of drag racing activity will meet a strong local demand," said Rashid Al Qubaisi, Head of the Yas Drag Racing Centre.

"We will be running public sessions on virtually a weekly basis where anyone can come down to the strip to tune and test their cars," he said.

"I am confident that Yas will become a regular venue for drag-racing and custom-car fans.

"We have just taken delivery of our unique three-seat Super Comp dragster, which will be available for public rides and training, and four new single-seat Super Comps will be used for training purposes and offered for rental to qualified drivers." Al Qubaisi said.

"The Drag Racing Festival in March also promises to be a sell-out event building on the success of our inaugural event earlier this year."