Emirates Motorsport Expo in Dubai to target enthusiasts old and new

ATCUAE president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said the Emirates Motorsport Expo is "a great initiative for introducing new people to all the options in UAE motorsport." Courtesy Total Communications

DUBAI // Mohammed ben Sulayem, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and the Emirates Motor Sport Federation, has hailed the Emirates Motorsport Expo as a great new initiative to introduce new people to the world of motorsport.

The Expo, organised and hosted by Dubai Autodrome in collaboration with the ATCUAE, will bring together UAE motorsports’ key stakeholders this Friday starting at 2pm to give visitors an opportunity to meet experts, team officials and competitors, and learn about the sport, from circuit racing to cross-country rallying for cars and bikes.

The Expo, designed to identify a range of entry-level opportunities for enthusiasts, will feature keynote addresses from teams, drivers and ATCUAE officials, as well as a range of “Passenger Ride Experiences” on the circuit in various race and road cars.

“Motorsport is not only about racing, it involves many other essential elements and aspects like manufacturers, fans, the entertainment element, etc,” said Ben Sulayem, the patron of the Expo. “These are all elements that complement the sporting side of it.

“The Motorsport Expo is a great initiative for introducing new people to all the options in UAE motorsport. We have to be proactive in bringing new people into the sport at all levels, or else we will never grow.

“The ATCUAE is very happy to be partnered with the Dubai Autodrome on this project and we hope that this becomes an annual event.”

The organisers are also hoping to use the Expo to highlight the attractions of the UAE Formula 4 Championship, a new series aimed at young drivers age 15 in the Middle East and North African region.

The Championship, which has already attracted 10 cars, will feature 18 races held over six events at both the Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina circuits between October 2016 and March 2017.

“The new Formula 4 Championship is a very exciting addition to the UAE motorsport calendar, and one of the purposes of the new Expo is to spotlight the wide range of opportunities that exist here for enthusiasts at entry level,” said Richard Birch, general manager of Dubai Autodrome.

“It’s encouraging to see the interest that has been expressed so far for the Emirates Motorsport Expo. Last year, we organised a handful of workshops with approximately 200 participants. This year, the event is shaping up to be a lot bigger. We now have over 30 exhibitors and a list of speakers, and we are still expecting to add some latecomers to the list as well.

“Our aim with the Expo is to provide an entry point for people into the world of motorsport and give youngsters a platform to explore and find out what resources are there. We want to make sure all the necessary information for potential enthusiasts is readily available, giving them a network of supporting individuals and companies that will provide them with valuable insight into the industry.

“While we are placing a big emphasis on encouraging teenagers and developing a new generation of motorsports enthusiasts, we certainly won’t be neglecting other age categories. Whether you are 15 or 60, you’re never too old to start, and there will be a range of different motorsport categories, both on-track and off-road, with racing cars and bikes displayed to showcase what’s available in the UAE.

“We are very grateful to Mohammed ben Sulayem and his team at the ATCUAE for the support they are providing for this new event, and we look forward to working with them to ensure that it goes from strength to strength and helps attract a new wave of young talent into the sport.”

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport