Rumours of drag races on roads deep in desert country have long been the stuff of legend here in the UAE. Legally, however, there were few places where speed freaks could get their adrenaline high — barring the Emirates Motorplex in Umm Al Quwain, and more recently, the Dubai Autodrome. While both offer the best racing experiences on sand and tarmac for two- and four-wheel racers, these venues have drawn the interest of only the most ardent enthusiasts.
It took Abu Dhabi to upset traffic. The emirate injected a massive dose of passion for motor sports into the country when it muscled its way onto the track scene with facilities like the Yas Marina Circuit and Al Forsan International Sports Resort, backing them up with the Formula One Grand Prix, the Australian V8 Supercars, and smaller karting and drifting events.
GN Focus attempted to capture some of this motor madness at the Yas Marina track, where we recreated the iconic pink-slip race scene from the 1978 musical Grease — but with a modern twist. We swapped the 1949 Mercury and 1948 Ford with 2013 models of the Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang.
We also spoke to motor sports role models in Abu Dhabi who are encouraging young racers to develop a safer approach to the sport and swap highways for tracks.
Go-karting
Ali Al Mansouri is a 23-year-old Emirati with a passion for racing. He started racing competitively in 2011 and is now the manager of the Dubai 5 racing team.
Competitive go-karting is best described as racing a small four-wheeled motor vehicle on long circuits — the first step to becoming a professional Formula One driver. Al Mansouri says: “When it comes to motor sports, it all starts with karting. It is my goal to compete as a Formula One driver. I aspire to be the first Emirati to do so, which will help in the recognition of talent in my country and set a precedent for the generation after me interested in this field.”
Al Mansouri owes his interest in this race format to the region’s numerous circuits. He says: “Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar all have competitions where teams are invited to race each other. These teams are sponsored by different organisations and shaikhs, who show their support for the sport and encourage young talent.”
With the infrastructure needed to train racing enthusiasts already available in the UAE, Al Mansouri urges those interested to pursue their motor sport hobbies further. He says: “Abu Dhabi Racing has partnered with the National Health Insurance Company – Daman to establish a driving academy to groom young Emiratis as professional race drivers. Their ultimate objective is to have an Emirati Formula One driver.
“Grab this opportunity to better your skills. The country has developed an infrastructure for UAE motor sports that allows drivers to enter karting events from the age of eight, develop their skills and progress through to single-seater and touring car events, and then towards Grand Prix racing, which is the ultimate goal,” says Al Mansouri.
Drifting
Drifting is a specific driving skill where you forcefully oversteer your car to the extent that it loses traction in the rear wheels or all wheels. Professional drifters compete against each other and are judged on speed, showmanship and skills.
Skill and an element of craziness are two of the main ingredients that make a drifter, says Jordanian competitive drifter and founder of SSK Drift, Samer Khadra. “Drifting is in my blood and it’s a childhood dream. You really need to be a talented and crazy driver, since drifting is an extreme sport,” he says.
Khadra has always been interested in drifting but started promoting this format in the UAE only about five years ago. He says: “A group of friends and I decided that we needed to raise the profile of drifting. We began organising drift events and, even back then, had a dream that we would eventually have a professional drifting championship event in the UAE.
“The facilities in the country, especially in Abu Dhabi, are important as they educate enthusiasts about motor sport safety. They keep them from drifting and racing on the streets.”
Drifting can also be an expensive but rewarding hobby. Khadra says the cost of participating in a competitive event can range from Dh20,000 to Dh50,000 per season. Is it worth it? Yes, says Khadra. He adds: “The first rule to keep in mind is that you need to relax and have fun. If you invest a year’s time and work hard, you could even be better than me.”
Motorcycle racing
Lebanese architect and reigning UAE Superbike champion Mahmoud Tannir describes motorcycle racing as passion, emotion and commitment.
Finishing tenth in his debut season in 2008-09, Tannir has since won the 600cc championship in 2011-12 and 2012-13, as well as three races in the Qatar 600cc championships.
Tannir, who is sponsored by Al Futtaim Honda and is competing in the 2013-14 season on a Honda CBR 600, tells GN Focus: “I used to, and still do, watch world championship races. After moving to Dubai [in 2003] and attending track days and watching the guys race in the championship, I thought I needed to try it for myself.
“I think it’s very important that Abu Dhabi gets involved in motor sport, as you can see in the forms of racing taking place at Yas Marina Circuit. The facilities are there and the financial support as well, and I hope we will see a step towards the promotion of motorcycle racing.”
Tannir says rookies join the championship every season. They apply for their Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme National Race Licence, acquire a 600cc bike and funding, and start racing. As to the costs involved, he says, “It depends on how much you spend on the bike and fees, gear, branding, etc. It ranges from Dh50,000 for a used race-ready bike to Dh150,000 and more if you have a full team, a new bike, branding, etc. Sponsors are needed for sure.
“Have fun,” he adds. “Oh, and prepare to crash, because you will.”
Drag racing
From open nights to the Pro Drag Racing Series, the Yas Drag Racing Academy is the new home of drag racing in the country. When the images of a Rolls-Royce Phantom burning up the Yas drag strip surfaced in 2011, drag racing took the local social media scene by storm.
Drag racing involves automobiles or motorcycles competing two at a time on a straight track that is usually a quarter of a mile (about 400 metres) long. We caught up with 24-year-old track junkie A.J. Fredanov, an Indian expatriate participating at this year’s Pro Drag Racing Series, to talk about this race format.
“The first car I used on the drag strip was my Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe, churning out 487 horsepower (hp). After getting into trouble for street racing, I began looking for a legal alternative,” he says.
Fredanov says this format is all about high hp, reaction time to the lights on the Christmas tree or the column of six lights for each driver that starts the race, precise gear shifts, weight management, throttle control and the ability to avoid wheelspin in a straight line. “Physical fitness is important. Racers have to watch their weight and what they eat, as it can affect their reaction time on the strip,” he adds.
Talking about equipment, Fredanov says: “I change my tyres every 7,000-8,000km when circuit and drag racing. I spend a minimum of Dh8,000 on recreational racing per season.”
Head down to the Yas academy for lessons in a Chevrolet Camaro. Once you’re ready, you can buy or modify a car and use the open nights on Thursdays to practise. Fredanov says: “If you race a medium-sized car, ensure it pushes at least 350+ hp. Expenses depend on what you drive. Remember it can be costly, but it is addictive as well.”
Circuit racing
When he is not racing, Emirati Abbas Al Alawi trains promising racers. A racing driver and instructor at Yas Marina Circuit, Al Alawi says: “You could say that I was born with a need for speed. It has always been a dream and a growing interest. Racing is more than just laps around a track — it is a sport of passion and a way of life.”
There are numerous forms of circuit racing, such as Formula One and touring cars. Al Alawi races in the Gulf 12 Hours, the Dubai 24 Hours and touring car races. He says interest in motor sports in the UAE is a result of events in the region such as Formula One in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, and the guidance of lawmakers regulating races and promoting safety.
“The Yas Marina Circuit, for example, opened up many new opportunities for local and regional drivers, thanks to its racing academy and a full calendar of events and races,” he adds.
For those looking to get involved, there is a lot of practice and hard work involved before sponsors take notice and help finance your expensive hobby/occupation. Al Alawi says, “Depending on the type of championship you are looking to race in, the cost differs. But it is very expensive in general.”
He adds: “It takes a lot of dedication and guidance from veterans and support from everyone around to join courses and races. This will open the door to recognition. When you do start racing, keep your eyes on the track, stay focused and, of course, safety first.”
