Abu Dhabi: A motorsport championship featuring sports cars capable of top speeds above 290kph is to make its debut at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit this weekend.

Featuring Le Mans-style, open-top sports cars, the six-round Radical Middle East Cup is one of the latest highlights of the popular Yas Racing Series, which returns to Yas Marina Circuit on January 22-23 under the banner of Yas Motor Racing Club.

The Yas Racing Series will also welcome back arguably the most successful one-make GT series in the Middle East, according to organisers, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge, for its seventh season.

And motorsport fans will get the chance to enjoy the lynchpin of the Yas Racing Series – the TRD 86 Cup. The single-make, sustainable local motorsport initiative was introduced by YMC in 2014 to enable amateur racers to drive in a competitive environment, facilitating the development of new motor-racing talent.

“The Yas Racing Series in 2016 is shaping up to be one of the strongest and most varied of all time with a mixture of new series and long-running fans’ favourites,” said Al Tareq Al Ameri, Chief Executive Officer of Yas Marina Circuit.

“Motorsport fans have a real treat in store for them this weekend with the inaugural Radical Middle East Cup; the racing is tough, competitive, and very fast. We’re also delighted to be welcoming back the popular Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge after a break last year.

“And what could be better than making people’s dreams of running a professional racing team in real competition come true? That’s the format of the TRD 86 Cup, and the racing between our 13 UAE-based drivers promises to be as uncompromising as ever.”

The Yas Racing Series will also once again feature the Formula Gulf 1000, the UAE’s national single-seater championship featuring cars with identical slicks and wings, as well as the UAE Time Attack, a dynamic race series that sees production-based sports cars compete for the fastest single lap.

A ticket for Friday and Saturday’s full day of racing events costs Dh25 per person and includes an array of off-track entertainment, including garage tours, behind-the-scenes experiences, a children’s play areas, and much more.

You can keep up with all the action on Yas TV, a motorsport channel dedicated to following local motorsport. To view highlights from the weekend’s racing, visit Yas TV at http://www.youtube.com/user/YasMarinaCircuit.

To receive privileged discounts, register with the Yas Motor Racing Club by clicking: http://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/motorsport/become-a-yas-club-member)

To view this weekend’s race schedule, visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com for regular updates.

Please note that timings are subject to change. To book, visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com or call 800 YAS (927). Accessibility is via Gate 20 at Yas Marina Circuit and gates open at 9am.