DUBAI // Ramzi Moutran enjoyed double delight on Friday at Dubai Autodrome as he claimed victory in the opening two rounds of Class 1 in the UAE Touring Car Championship.
Moutran triumphed in his Duel Racing Seat car in what was part of the opening UAE National Raceday of the 2011/12 season.
The series this season has one of its strongest collections of driver talent, and Moutran acknowledged that he had not known how competitive he would be.
"The aim was to battle for the win and taking two victories is a bonus," he said. "There are some strong drivers in this championship and it's good to have two wins as I expect things to get tougher as the season develops."
In the first race, Martin Johnson, who has experience of competing in the British Touring Car Championship before coming to race in the UAE, had to start from the back of the grid in his Vauxhall Astra after problems in qualifying, but he made his way to second place at the finish with an impressive recovery drive.
Nader Zuhour, who had led early on until he "ran out of brakes" had to settle for third as he backed off in the closing stages to preserve his car.
In the second race, Mohammed Al Owais, the former UAE Touring Car champion, finished second behind Moutran in the Emirates Racing Team Seat, with Johnson finishing third to complete an impressive debut in the series.
Umair Khan, the reigning champion in the Class 2 category of the Touring Car series, made a winning start to his title defence and his quest for a third title.
He won the first race ahead of fellow Honda driver Aslam Moola, with the positions reversed in the second race as Moola crossed the line first.
Umair said: "It was good to start the season with a win. In the second race I had fuel starvation problems towards the end.
"But the goal is to win my third championship and our team are focused on that."
Khalid bin Hadher won the first Clio Cup race contested in the UAE and followed it with a runners-up performance in the second race in the Emirates Racing Team Renault. Alexandros Annivas won in the Mouhrista Racing Renault.
In the UAE Sportsbike Championship, Vendeta Racing teammates Alan Boyter and Mahmoud Tannor each claimed a victory on their Triumph bikes in the 600 Class.
In the 600 Rookie category, Chris Morley won both races on his Kawasaki, with Ian Wilcox and Richard Drake the respective runners-up in the two races.
With no opposition in the 1000 Class due to Abdulaziz Binladen being away, Gernot Dobida claimed an unchallenged victory in both races.
He said: "It is a shame that Abdulaziz is still racing abroad and not available for this round. Nevertheless I used this for practice and look forward to racing in a bigger field next time out."
The second UAE National Raceday of the season will be staged on October 21 at Dubai Autodrome.
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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ONCE UPON A TIME IN GAZA
Starring: Nader Abd Alhay, Majd Eid, Ramzi Maqdisi
Directors: Tarzan and Arab Nasser
Rating: 4.5/5
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
PROFILE OF INVYGO
Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
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What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Favourite film: The Notebook
Favourite book: What I know for sure by Oprah Winfrey
Favourite quote: “Social equality is the only basis of human happiness” Nelson Madela. Hometown: Emmen, The Netherlands
Favourite activities: Walking on the beach, eating at restaurants and spending time with friends
Job: Founder and Managing Director of Mawaheb from Beautiful Peopl
The biog
Age: 30
Position: Senior lab superintendent at Emirates Global Aluminium
Education: Bachelor of science in chemical engineering, post graduate degree in light metal reduction technology
Favourite part of job: The challenge, because it is challenging
Favourite quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” Gandi
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway
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Canada
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THE BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
Results:
Women:
1. Rhiannan Iffland (AUS) 322.95 points
2. Lysanne Richard (CAN) 285.75
3. Ellie Smart (USA) 277.70
Men:
1. Gary Hunt (GBR) 431.55
2. Constantin Popovici (ROU) 424.65
3. Oleksiy Prygorov (UKR) 392.30
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
RESULT
Aston Villa 1
Samatta (41')
Manchester City 2
Aguero (20')
Rodri (30')
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
