Al Ain wrap up successful season

Dubai: UAE football club Al Ain completed its final race of the inaugural 2008 Superleague Formula championship at Jerez in Spain on the weekend - a successful year that put the club in the same group of winners with big name clubs including AC Milan, Liverpool, FC Porto, Sevilla FC, Borussia Dortmund and PSV Eindhoven.

Belgian driver Bertrand Baguette finished tenth and seventh in the final two races of season - his second outing this season after previously driving for the club at Zolder.

Injury

Baguette stepped back into the car after race winner Paul Meijer injured his hand in a crash in practice at the previous round at Vallelunga. The injury was a set-back for the Dutchman who took the club to victory at Estoril in Portugal in round three.

Al Ain Racing Team boss Wim Coekelbergs was pleased with the overall season which resulted in the club finishing twelfth in the championship - beating some big football names including Rangers, Borussia Dortmund, FC Basel, Flamengo, Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid.

"Bertrand was very strong in both races, but we just lacked that little bit of outright speed in qualifying which made it difficult here in Jerez because passing was very tough," Coekelbergs said.

"We have been delighted to give Al Ain its first victory in the championship and really raise the club's profile internationally."

"They are only a small football club compared to Borussia Dortmund and there would be no way they could beat the likes of AC Milan or Liverpool on the football pitch - but in racing, the club has the chance to take on the best in the world."

Drivers Andreas Zuber, Bertrand Baguette, Paul Meijer and Dominick Meurmans have had the opportunity to represent the club in 2008 in Superleague Formula. Team boss Coekelbergs would like install a permanent driver aboard the purple and white Al Ain machine for the 2009 championship.