Bin Sulayem with Ratel during the announcement of LG Super Racing weekend. ©Gulf News
Dubai Autodrome, the Middle East's first fully integrated motorsports facility which is set to open later this month, will host the final leg of the LG Super Racing Weekend (SRW) from October 6-8.

SRW is an exciting combination of different motorsports events including the FIA GT Championship, FIA European Touring Car Championship and the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup.

The three-day event will feature stars from Formula One and Formula 3000, among them Alessandro Zinardi, Gabriele Tarqni, Jorg Muller, Rickard Rydell and Jan Magnussen.

Stephane Ratel, CEO of SRW Events and SRO, promoter of FIA GT Championship, said at a press conference yesterday: "For this the fourth year of the LG Super Racing Weekend series, SRW events has looked to provide a prestigious calendar.

"Adding Dubai Autodrome to the venues is a unique opportunity for racing fans in the Middle East to witness all the frantic excitement of touring car racing at a world class venue."

Dubai will field a team in the form of the new Aston Martin DB9, pitting themselves against the finest names such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and Chrysler.

Simon Azzam, Chief Executive Officer of Union Properties commented: "This is a very exciting and truly international event which we are delighted to be hosting. Bringing the FIA GT Championships to Dubai highlights our aim to provide facilities to the highest international standards and at the same time, contribute towards educating and entertaining the community and lovers of motor racing."

The FIA GT Championship is a three-hour endurance race over 500km. BMS Scuderia Italia, with its Ferrari 550 Maranello cars won the event in 2003.

For the final race of the Formula Renault V6 Eurocup series in Dubai, only the 20 top drivers in the overall classification will be allowed to take part.

The Formula Renault V6 is a thrilling single-seater competition that borrows a whole range of concepts from Formula One with the aim for drivers, engineers, mechanics and team managers to be trained in the way of Grand prix.

Each event will consist of two races, the Grand Prix between 115 and 130km and the Super Sprint between 80 and 90km.

The FIA European Tour Car Championship features cars which look like the popular two-litre saloon cars sold on the market, but act totally differently due to the star drivers behind the wheel.

Racing will include two 50-km races run back-to-back and separated by only 15 minutes for repairs.

"With the Dubai Autodrome now attracting top flight motor sports this will only enhance Dubai's reputation as a city that will go to any lengths to attract and promote sport," said Mohammed ben Sulayem.