The curtain raiser for the 2011-2012 UAE National Racing season took place at Dubai Autodrome under the guise of the Media & Test Day, which included a press conference featuring Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and Vice-President of the FIA, along with Dubai Autodrome’s newly appointed chairman Ali Fardan Al Fardan. It was an opportunity for media and competitors to reacquaint themselves while previewing the forthcoming season, which by all accounts will be another intriguing affair as local motorsport continues to thrive in economically challenging times across the globe. Ben Sulayem said, “It is very important that we develop and promote motorsport from grassroots level upwards. We need a strong karting scene from where drivers can rise through the ranks. I am proud that Emirati drivers like Mohammed Al Mutawaa have emerged through this system.” Al Fardan said, “After a long off season — where we have been very busy behind the scenes — we are all looking forward to the sound of racing engines and for the chequered flag to start waving.” “In recent years we have seen unprecedented growth in motorsport in the UAE despite the global economic climate. This indicates a strong foundation set by the ATCUAE under the astute leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem and ultimately a platform from which motor racing can grow and thrive,” observed Chairman Al Fardan. “Once again action will not only take place at Dubai Autodrome but also at Yas Marina Circuit, making this a truly national championship on two top circuits.” Al Fardan added, “I must welcome on board NGK Spark Plugs as title sponsors of the UAE GT Championship and applaud Total for their continued backing of the UAE Touring Car Championship.” “Everyone can be assured that we at Dubai Autodrome Motorsport Club (DAMC) continually strive to improve and develop motorsport in the UAE from grassroots level upwards and will continue to do so into the future,” concluded Al Fardan. In closing Sulayem said, “The last word must go to the marshals and the people training the marshals — without these unsung heroes we would have no motorsport. In a few years we have reached our target early, namely to have our own marshals for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. We have achieved this through local motorsport. And in this manner we can also develop our racing drivers. I look forward to an exciting season of racing.” The first DAMC National Race Day of the season takes place on the main circuit on Friday, 7 October and will feature races for Total UAE Touring Cars, UAE Sportbikes, Radical Cup and the inaugural FG1000 series. Also featuring on National Race Days during the course of the year are races for the NGK GT Championship, Maserati Trofeo JBF RAK and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge which will add spice to National Race Days. The Gulf Today