Dubai: The Dubai Autodrome and HSBC have joined hands to float a racing academy in an attempt to discover driving talent in the UAE.
Representatives of the two bodies met at the Dubai Autodrome yesterday to announce details of the three-year joint venture the HSBC Racing Academy pegged at Dh1.1 million for the first year.
"Our aim is to produce at least three UAE drivers with the requisite standards to compete on the international stage," stated Niall Booker, Deputy Chairman and CEO of HSBC Middle East.
The initiative, which comes under the patronage of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, wants to first identify a pool of UAE drivers and then nurse them into international drivers.
The selection process will be open for boys and girls between 14 and 25 years, and will be held in four stages.
At the end of the four stages of selection to be monitored by a committee headed by David Terrien the names of the three UAE drivers will be formally announced on November 18 to coincide with the FIA GT Championship.
"Everybody was against us when we started rallying in the UAE," reflected Saeed Khalfan, Chairman of Dubai Autodrome.
"This concept too will take time to catch on among UAE nationals. We have to make a start somewhere and I think this is the right time to launch this initiative," he added.
After the elaborate selection process, the three drivers will be sent to the La Filiere FFSA driving school in France for further training.
The three drivers will also gain competition experience by taking part in the Formula Renault Campus Championship from April to October next year. "The cars are expected to arrive in Dubai just before the FIA GT Championship. So we will have enough time to put the drivers through a tough training regimen," stated Terrien.
Terrien, a former French and European Formula Ford champion, is hopeful his team of instructors can break the time barrier and get the young drivers elevated to an international standard.
"Of course, a lot will be left up to talent, and we are confident we will achieve our goal of an international driver in the next four to five years," Terrien stated.
The driving school authorities hope to make a start by organising a recruitment drive by visiting schools in the next few days.
Selection process:
Phase 1 (October 1-21): Three-week selection process at the HSBC Racing Academy where all applicants will be assessed against the clock at the Kartdrome. The top 60 drivers will advance to the next stage.
Phase 2 (October 28): The 60 drivers will undergo a full day of practical training using the Audi A3 and the Subaru Impreza at the Autodrome circuit. The list will be cut down to 30 drivers.
Phase 3 (November 4): The 30 drivers will be taught the basics of driving a manual car using the GTS two-seater sports car and the Subaru Impreza, and only the best 10 will make it to the fourth and final stage.
Phase 4 (November 11): The 10 drivers will be given instructions on all the basic skills needed to successfully drive a single-seater racing car and will be assessed against the clock to choose the best three drivers. November 18: The names of the three drivers will be announced during the FIA GT Championship.
Further information from the Dubai Autodrome on 04-3678700.
