Emirati drivers make motorsport history

Dubai: In a major milestone for UAE motorsport, a quartet of Emirati racing drivers made history when they took the top four positions in Class 4 of the Yellow Hat UAE Touring Car Championship with House of Portier.

Mohammad Al Owais led three countryman, including his brother Omran, to victory in what is considered the most competitive class and category of racing. His brother Omran finished third.

It was fitting that this remarkable feat was established at an event run under the patronage of the Crown Prince of Dubai, Chairman of the Executive Council and the President of Dubai Autodrome, His Highness Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

An impressive line-up of 36 drivers from 15 different countries lined up on the Dubai Autodrome grid for the second day of the Action Weekend featuring Speedcar and National Racing, on the last Saturday of last month.

Sohaili winds blew sand on to the track surface, creating challenging conditions for the drivers, but this did not deter Mohammad Al Owais who triumphed in his Lap57 Honda to take top honours in Class 4.

Behind him, in second position, was Khalid Bin Hadher driving the Performance Racing Honda. Bin Hadger managed to clinch this position after a long duel during the race with Omran Al Owais in another Lap57 Honda, the latter eventually settling for third place.

Khalid Al Mutawaa fended off a strong challenge from a host of drivers to claim fourth place in the House of Portier Renault. As the chequered flag waved to signal the end of the race, history had been made and a major milestone established.

Winner Mohammad Al Owais was all smiles as he mounted the top step of the podium with the UAE flag draped around his shoulders, which he then proceeded to wave to cheers from fans and competitors alike.

He said: "I am very happy for the 1-2-3-4 for the UAE in our Class. I saw Khalid Bin Hadher catching (up with) me, I kept my pace and this was enough to win. I am also very happy for my brother Omran who finished third. A great day for UAE drivers which makes me proud to stand here on the top step of the podium."

Fourth placed Al Mutawaa was somewhat disappointed at not making the podium, but at the same time very happy about the achievement, "It is fantastic that we UAE drivers have scored such a result during an international event. It sends a message to everyone, including our people, that Emirati racing drivers are making a mark on the sport at an international level. We are particularly grateful to Dubai Autodrome for putting on this event, building UAE motorsport to the level it is at and particularly sponsors such as House of Portier who believe in developing local talent. Great day which I am happy to be part of."

Of the 80 competitors racing during the course of the weekend, 24 of these were UAE nationals, and apart from the history making quartet others did make an impact in the other classes within the UAE Touring Car Championship. Mohammed Al Falasi, who is one of the most popular drivers in the paddock, had a strong weekend in his Corvette notching up second place and third place in Race Day 1 and Race Day 2 respectively. His car is distinctive with the UAE flag emblazoned across the side. He said of the weekend, "I would thank the organisers for another great event, we saw a good crowd and we hope to see them again because they inspire us to perform at the top of our game."

Taking two wins out of two races in Class 5 was Emirati Abdulhamid Alawadi, "Thank God for this event. I would like to thank all our Rulers and everyone at Dubai Autodrome who put on this weekend of racing, because without these people we would not be racing in this international event."

Increasingly UAE drivers are making their mark in the various disciplines of motorsport, weekends where they can perform on an international stage serves to boost the image of Emirati drivers to a global audience. Dubai Autodrome Chairman Saeed Khalfan concludes, "UAE motorsport has reached a high level in a very short time due to the talent of our local drivers. Establishing this milestone shows that we have a generation of very promising drivers who will continue to grow our sport. I personally am very proud to see our hard work at Dubai Autodrome, to develop motorsport from grassroots level upwards, coming to fruition. This is genuine talent making their way to the top money has not bought this success it has come about because of hard work, commitment, dedication and natural talent."