Abu Dhabi: It wasn't really a surprise that BBC won a BAFTA for their coverage of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last November. It's also not a surprise that nearly 55 per cent of the tickets for this season's blockbuster at the Yas Marina Circuit have been sold in just four weeks.
If Abu Dhabi had held the image of a sleeping giant in the past then one thing is for sure, the sleeping giant has well and truly woken up.
The last two years have seen the UAE capital quickly emerge into a bustling hub of activity whether you're talking sport, business or leisure. From playing host to an annual Formula One Grand Prix to embracing artists and rock bands of the stature of Beyonce, Eric Clapton and Guns N' Roses, Abu Dhabi is very much at the forefront of anything and everything big happening within the UAE today.
And it's no coincidence that this rapid transition has been synonymous with the rise of a venue that has exceeded the imagination of the common man, the Yas Marina Circuit (YMC).
Built on Yas Island as one of the most technologically advanced motor racing facilities of its time, this stunning venue has gone on to host not only the few events mentioned above, but a whole lot more ever since it first left the world gobsmacked at the 2009 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It has played a big part in putting Abu Dhabi on the global map, and in an interview to XPRESS, Peter Rae, Communications Director of YMC explains just what sets the venue apart from any other facility of its kind.
"I think Yas Marina Circuit is the most visible emblem of Abu Dhabi around the world by virtue of all the TV and media attention focused on it," Rae said proudly. "Right from our first Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2009, the circuit became known around the world as a spectacular venue and has become a great icon of the modern Abu Dhabi.
"There are a number of features that set Yas Marina Circuit apart. It's the only circuit - as opposed to a road course - designed around a marina, and that gives it a very special look and feel," he added.
State-of-the-art
"Because we started with a clean sheet of paper, we were able to design in a lot of features that make the circuit a bit special: the covered grandstands, the air-conditioned pit garages and hospitality suites, a state-of-the-art media centre, purpose-designed team buildings, the racing school, the F1 in Schools Education Centre.
"Individually, these features make Yas Marina Circuit stand out; taken together, they make it truly unique."
A feature Rae did not mention was the exquisite Yas Hotel, the first hotel in the world to enjoy the distinction of sitting across a Formula One circuit. And in case YMC hadn't given the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority a big enough boost, along came the world's largest indoor theme park, Ferrari World, situated just next door. Rae did not deny that the massive facility, that satiates just about every need of fans of the Prancing Horse, perfectly blended in with YMC.
"Ferrari has a tremendous global following with racing fans and the name is synonymous with motorsport, so there's a natural link," he said. "A large number of the drivers and racing teams who come to Yas for our events also want to see inside Ferrari World and try the rides.
"Equally, it's very easy for people visiting Ferrari World to come next door to the circuit and try our kart track, rent a racing car from the Racing School, take part in a track day or watch a drag race. So there's a lot of benefit for both parties from being situated right next to one another."
There is certainly more to Abu Dhabi than YMC according to Rae. "The city has also embraced a wide range of other sports such as football, golf, tennis, show-jumping, rallying, triathlon and more.
"Add to that the other tourist attractions such as the Shaikh Zayed Mosque, and the range of cultural and leisure venues that are coming on stream over the next few years and you have a recipe for making Abu Dhabi an even bigger tourist and sporting destination."
But the Englishman added that there is certainly a lot more to come from YMC as well. "We held more than 120 events last year, including conferences, corporate events, track days and races.
"We are continuing to develop our racing programme and the range of activities at Yas to broaden our appeal beyond hard-core racing fans," he said.
"Our conference and training facilities are another great advantage for the corporate market. So we expect the number of events we put on each year to grow and for the track to be in use seven days a week, apart from high summer. So I believe we will continue to play our part in growing Abu Dhabi as a destination."
Five events that rocked the capital in 2010
- Mubadala World Tennis Championship
- Formula One Grand Prix
- Fifa Club World Cup
- Yas Island Show Weekends (concerts featuring Jonas Brothers, Nelly Furtado, Guns N' Roses)
- NBA Jamfest
