ABU DHABI // Most people never get the chance to climb behind the wheel of a Formula One car, but later this month regular drivers will be able to follow in the tracks of Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel at Yas Marina Circuit's first public track day.
The track day, on January 23, will be the first of many events this year that organisers hope will establish the circuit as a year-round facility. The track will be open to residents who, for a fee, can bring their car to the track and race for up to three and a half hours. Following a thorough briefing on track and driver safety, would-be race drivers will take a few test laps before being let loose. Additional training with an experienced instructor is being offered at an additional cost.
"Our target is to run the venue 300 days a year and have major events and make sure it becomes a centre of excellence for motorsport and indeed for leisure and activity in general," said Richard Cregan, the chief executive for Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM). Mr Cregan acknowledged it would take time to build a "motorsport culture" in the emirate, but said the organisation had a long-term plan to achieve its goal.
"If you create a new venue like this and expect to fill the venue every time, you have an event that is very difficult," he said. "The only way you can do that is working with the public and local community to build up that culture. "You do that by getting local drivers involved, by developing young drivers." Mr Cregan urged residents to take advantage of the track, and added that training would be offered for those who wanted it.
The circuit will also position itself as a beacon for road safety by offering a safe, controlled environment for residents to race cars, and through initiatives such as a driving academy being launched in March. ADMM is also hoping to push the circuit as a venue for corporate events and meetings, and expects the North Grandstand of the track, which can seat 10,000, to be the site of concerts and performances.
A schedule of planned track days will also be posted on January 23, Mr Cregan said, but more could be added. "Depending on demand, we will make the track available," he said. "Because we have got the lighting facility, we can light up the track. In times when there is very hot weather, we will be opening later in the evening." But amateur racing will not be the only offering. Professional events will include the GP2 Asia Series next month and the International Drag Racing Festival in March, where cars will accelerate from zero to more than 480kph in less than four seconds.
The Yas Marina Circuit Drag Race Centre, opening with the racing festival, will be made available to members of the public as well for racing, learning to drive a 1,000-horsepower dragster at the race school and possibly obtaining a National Hot Rod Association competition licence. Also in March, a driving academy will open, offering safe driving and racing courses with two-seat sports cars and a single-seat open-wheel vehicle.
Mr Cregan said ADMM was working with the police and other authorities to improve the country's road safety record, and is looking into launching courses for young people who have not yet applied for their driving licence. "We can make sure that we try to get that speed on to the track in a controlled and safe environment," he said. "We are looking at getting young people into cars, in a safe, controlled car and allowing them to drive in a dynamic area on our track and give people an understanding of what responsibility they have when they go out there and get their driving licence on the general roads."
mchung@thenational.ae