FIRST FIA RALLY STAR TRAINING SEASON HEADS TO YAS MARINA CIRCUIT THIS WEEKEND
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, March 18, 2022: This weekend will see the first FIA Rally Star Training Season challenge arrive at Yas Marina Circuit, as the official FIA sanctioned event heads to Abu Dhabi for the Middle East and North African Finals.
Held on a purpose-built stage within the iconic Yas Marina Circuit from 18th to 20th March, the competition will see 23 candidates from 9 countries across the MENA region, including the UAE, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Egypt and Iraq, with drivers facing off for a chance to achieve their dreams and competing in the FIA World Rally Championships.
The winner, determined by a series of timed tests and assessments will join the FIA Rally Star European Final Winner, Romet Jurgenson from Estonia in the inaugural FIA Rally Star Training Season, set to commence in 2023. The event, one of six FIA Rally Star Continental Finals to be held this year alongside the all-female final set for later this year, will see the seven members join the first FIA Rally Star Team for their inaugural season in 2023.
With the competition for a spot on the official FIA Rally Team firmly underway, Drivers will feature up to 6 rallies in the impressive M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 alongside a series of physical and cognitive assessments to put the participants to the test in front of the internationally recognised jury including Pernilla Solberg, a former class-winning rally driver herself and the wife to 2003 FIA WRC Champion, Petter Solberg.
The 24 competitors will also receive driver coaching and testing sessions to ensure the representatives are well equipped for their future in the sport, with four members from the 2023 team earning their chance to compete in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship in 2024.
On the announcement of the first FIA Rally Star MENA final heading to Abu Dhabi, Khalid bin Sulayem, President of Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO) said: “We are delighted to host the Middle East and North African FIA Rally Star final in the United Arab Emirates at the Yas Marina Circuit complex.”
“Our mission is to develop motorsport at both national and international level, and rally has always occupied an important place in our country’s motor sport heritage. Last week, some of the world’s best cross-country competitors were celebrated here during the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, round two of the FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, and now the focus turns to grassroots rallying and the next generation of champions in the discipline.”
“The event will be a great opportunity for young men and women to showcase their talent and compete for the chance to advance to the next level. I’d like to warmly welcome the clubs from the MENA region joining us this weekend and to their national candidates and thank the FIA for the possibility to host this continental final.”
Jerome Roussel, FIA Rally Star Project Leader added: “Following the success of the FIA Rally Star European Final, we’re all set for the FIA Rally Star Middle East and North African Final. We have a very good gravel stage prepared at the Yas Marina Circuit, and can count on an experienced jury including Pernilla Solberg once again. We now look forward to discovering who will represent the MENA region in the FIA Rally Star Training Season in 2023.
For more information on this weekend’s upcoming FIA Rally Star MENA Final, please visit https://fiarallystar.com/en. Those keen to attend can register for this weekend’s regional final online.
Alongside the inaugural FIA Rally Star Training Season MENA Final this weekend, Yas Marina Circuit will also see the season finale of the Emirates Drift Championship, with drivers facing off for the final time in the 2022 calendar to crown this year’s champions. In the Professional Standings, Nasser Alharbali leads the way ahead of close challengers Hazaa AJ and Ahmad Daham going into the final day of action, and Abdulla Jaafari in first place in the Semi-Pro table followed by Fahad Latheef.
For more information on the full calendar of motorsport action at the region’s home of motorsport in Abu Dhabi, please visit: https://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/
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Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM), with its head office at Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, has created unique, world class experiences across Abu Dhabi since 2009.
ABOUT ADMM
Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management (ADMM), with its head office at Yas Marina Circuit, Yas Island, has created unique, world class experiences across Abu Dhabi since 2009.
ADMM have promoted and delivered globally significant events, the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix, alongside over 400 events a year across motorsports, health and fitness, entertainment and major corporate conferences. The company also delivers a significant programme of motorsport retail experiences for business and consumer audiences at Yas Marina Circuit across the year. This combined experience means that ADMM has a region-leading team with expertise in event marketing, communications, promotions and project management.
Such talent firmly positions ADMM as a leader in sports management. The company is now seeking to diversify into activities and strategic ventures beyond Yas Marina Circuit in order to build towards a broader long-term vision aligned with its partners and stakeholders in Abu Dhabi.
ABOUT YAS MARINA CIRCUIT
Yas Marina Circuit is the United Arab Emirates’ most exciting sporting and entertainment multi-purpose venue. Located on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the circuit is home to the annual FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX and much more. In addition to the extensive year-round program of professional and grassroots motorsport events and experiences including Drag and Yas Track Nights, the circuit has emerged as a thriving hub for entertainment and community events in the UAE.
Yas Marina Circuit is also a champion of sustainability in motorsports, receiving the Three-Star Environmental Certification from the FIA, the governing body’s highest recognition of sustainability. The award is an acknowledgement of the circuit’s long-standing commitment to environmental management with the objective of standing with Formula One in becoming Net-Zero Carbon by 2030.
As the region’s most technologically advanced facility, the circuit is also a leading MICE venue, regularly hosting a diverse range of corporate meetings, conferences and events. Whether you want to experience the thrill of karting at our Kartzone, driving an Aston Martin GT4 at over 200km/hour on an F1 circuit, work towards your racing license at the Yas Racing School, get fit at TrainYas, participate in one of our many sporting events, or simply catch up with friends at Yas Central, Yas Marina Circuit truly is The Meeting Place of Champions.
