Dubai: The Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE is to have a permanent new headquarters in Dubai to centralise its control of motor sport in the Emirates as well as its services for motoring tourists and travellers.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the ATCUAE's patron, has allocated a 30,000 sq ft plot in the city's Al Mumzar area for construction of purpose-built premises which will open late next year.
The move follows Shaikh Mohammad's decision in April to bring motor sport in the UAE under the overall control of a new-look ATCUAE, which is officially the sole nominated representative in the Emirates of both the FIA, motor sport's world governing body, and its motor cycling counterpart, the FIM.
Work on the new premises will start later this year after plans have been finalised in consultation with ATCUAE president, 14-time Middle East Rally champion Mohammad Bin Sulayem, and board members Khalfan Hareb, Mohammad Atik Al Qamzi and Saeed Al Tayer. "Shaikh Mohammad wanted us to have a permanent new home to provide a solid base for our efforts to maintain the highest standards in motor sport and host many more international events in the future," said Sulayem.
"His support and overall guidance in this mission is invaluable, and myself and my fellow board members look forward to an exciting new era for motor sport in the UAE."
In its new expanded role under the patronage of Shaikh Mohammad, the ATCUAE now oversees the complete range of motor sport activities in the UAE, including rallying, karting, drag racing, hill climbs and a variety of motor bike activities such as moto cross.
"His support and overall guidance in this mission is invaluable, and myself and my fellow board members look forward to an exciting new era for motor sport in the UAE."
Mohammad Bin Sulayem
ACTIVITIES
----The ATCUAE is also increasingly active outside the sporting arena. It is the only FIA authorised organisation in the UAE to issue International Driving Permits, as well as Carnet de Passage en Douane (Trip Tickets) and International Certificates which simplify customs formalities for motoring tourists and travellers.
----The Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE has been an affiliated member of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA), the world governing body of all motor sports, since 1965.
----The ATCUAE is the only organisation which is authorised by the FIA to supervise motor sport events and issue competitor licences in the UAE. It is also the only FIA authorised organisation in the UAE to issue International Driving Licences, as well as Carnet de Passage en Douane (Trip Tickets) and International Certificates which simplify customs formalities for motoring tourists and travellers.
----The ATCUAE, which has offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Al Ain, has been an affiliated member of Alliance Internationale de Tourism (AIT) since 1973. The AIT is the leading and most successful international body concerned with motoring, touring road assistance services and outdoor leisure.
