Pilot project to tap rallying potential in Iran

Dubai : The Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) will be coordinating a pilot project for rallying in neighbouring Iran in an attempt to tap the huge potential for the sport in the region.

Mohammad Bin Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President, ATCUAE discussed details of setting up such a project with a delegation from the Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACIRI) that visited Dubai earlier this week.

The talks, aimed at reinforcing links between not just the two countries but the entire Middle East in motorsport and tourism, were held between Bin Sulayem and TACIRI Managing Director Aliasghar Parhizkar. Also present were TACIRI Deputy Managing Director Alireza Bozorgzad and Iran's Classic Car Committee President Ramin Salehkhoo.

"With a population of approximately 70 million people — a majority of this under 30 years of age — and with the Islamic Republic manufacturing over a million vehicles a year, it is only but natural to bring Iran into the East Rally Championship fold," Bin Sulayem said in a press release yesterday.

"Iran has some great terrain for cross country rallying which is why the ATCUAE will now assist in running a pilot project there at a date to be announced soon," Bin Sulayem said.

"Apart from this, Iran has a fantastic karting circuit and an excellent national Motocross team."

Parhizkar, who later toured the Dubai Autodrome with his colleagues, said: "I am very happy with the outcome of this meeting and also impressed with the functioning of the ATCUAE which is evident from the various activities they conduct." One immediate result though of the talks between Bin Sulayem and the Iranian delegation, is that a restriction on motoring tourists travelling to Iran will be lifted in the near future.