Abu Dhabi: Tom Compton, President of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the organisation which deals with one of the fastest and most spectacular form of entertainment on wheels, feels the Gulf region could become the biggest drag racing centre in the world outside North America.
The NHRA chief, who last week visited the Yas Drag Racing Centre which will stage its inaugural Drag Racing Festival over the next two days, said: "The Gulf region would probably be the second biggest drag racing market outside North America.
"The interest in Abu Dhabi for drag racing is evident. The Yas Drag Racing centre is beyond anyone's wildest imagination. It is by far the finest facility I have ever seen," said Compton, speaking to Gulf News.
Commenting on Yas Marina Circuit's initiative to partner with American team Don Schumacher Racing to provide two complete Top Fuel dragster teams to be based in Abu Dhabi, Compton said: "It is a huge element. Drag racing in Abu Dhabi is part of the development of the sport. To see a car (Top Fuellers) at over 300 mph in just four seconds is a huge step to let Abu Dhabi racing fans see what drag racers do.
"There is a relationship which is building here that is good for the sport. What we are looking at first is developing drag racing in this region and thus create a Middle East championship.
"Drag racing started in USA but there is a circuit in Australia and in Europe. What's different in the Gulf region is that it is developing so fast, there are high interest levels and people here love drag racing. With state-of-the-art circuits being built, this region is emerging as the leader outside North America," the NHRA chief said.
"When we announced this partnership with Yas Marina Circuit we got calls from Sweden and Brazil enquiring about tracks and circuits and how they could get associated. There is interest in Japan and South America," he said.
"But we would first like to see rules around the sport to be standardised around the world. Our primary mission is to see that the sport is safe for everyone around the world. We want to create a competitive environment where there is free competition, fair competition," Compton said.
"We feel the growth and development of the sport in the Gulf region will lead to further development as there is a growing interest in India and China.
"I feel Abu Dhabi and the other centres in the region can play a huge and important role. In the US, drag racing is only second to Nascar which in this region could make it second only to Formula One," he said.
