Three victories in the 2WD category of the Middle East Rally Championship (Merc) have seen Mohamed Al Mutawaa rewarded with the chance to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC), starting this weekend in Germany.
The Emirati will drive a Citroen Abu Dhabi DS3 car in the junior WRC3 category of the German Rally, which begins tomorrow, and also at the Spain Rally, which is on October 24-26.
Al Mutawaa had represented Abu Dhabi Racing (ADR) and Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, the chairman of the ADR, who also races in the Merc and WRC championships, said his compatriot deserved his chance to shine on the world stage.
“Al Mutawaa has proved himself with a disciplined drive in our Abu Dhabi Racing – Citroen Middle East Trophy programme and shown that he is dedicated to building a new UAE generation of rally drivers,” Sheikh Khalid said.
Al Mutawaa said: “I consider this as a dream opportunity. I hope to use this opportunity to build my career in the right way and to raise the UAE flag high by representing ADR in the Middle East and the world.”
ADR chose Germany and Spain for Al Mutawaa to make his bow in the WRC because of the differing challenges they offer.
In Germany, he will face three distinct stages: bumpy vineyard roads, the rough roads of military tracks, and smooth asphalt tracks.
In Spain, he will drive on both gravel and asphalt stages in the hills of Tarragona.
Citroen Abu Dhabi will be represented in the main championship class by Mads Ostberg and Kris Meeke as the team search for their first win of the season.
Ostberg is fourth in the drivers’ standings, with Meeke sixth, with the latter finishing third at the most recent round in Finland two weeks ago.
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