Abu Dhabi: In collaboration with Abu Dhabi Racing, Yas Motor Racing Club is organising a candidate event for the 2015 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) in October.
To be known as Abu Dhabi Rally, the event will be one of the regional championship rounds once the candidate event is approved by motorsport’s world governing body, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
The North Handling Circuit of Yas Marina Circuit will play host to the Spectator Stage on October 16. On the following day, the candidate event will consist of eight special stages.
The Spectator Stage gives spectators the opportunity to watch rallying action and regional drivers up close, with the Grand Stands open free to the public.
Shaikh Khalid Al Qasimi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Racing, said: “Abu Dhabi Rally will definitely be an added value to the Middle East Rally Championship next season. The event will connect the deep-rooted culture of rallying in the region with the modernity of the sport as the headquarters of Abu Dhabi Rally and the Super Special Stage will be at Yas Marina Circuit.”
Ahmad M. Helal Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Organising Committee of Abu Dhabi Rally, added: “We at Yas Marina Circuit aim to spread the culture of motorsports in the best possible manner, and are already offering the best by hosting the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Grand Prix. Therefore, we as the organising committee of Abu Dhabi Rally in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Racing are keen to take the sport to a new level by providing many facilities to the participants. All details will be revealed over the next few days, including the stages.”
Entry will be open for all saloon rally cars homologated for the ongoing 2014 MERC season and National saloon cars. For pre-registration competitors may visit: http://www.yasmarinacircuit.com/en/motorsport/yas-motor-racing-club/abu-dhabi-rally-2014. Currently, the FIA MERC calendar consists of six rounds, held in Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus and Dubai, in that order.
