Abu Dhabi: Yas Marina Circuit will be striving to fulfil former Chief Executive Officer Richard Cregan’s lofty goal of nurturing an Emirati motorsport star capable of competing in Formula One by 2020.
That was the emphatic statement of intent hammered out on Monday by Al Tareq Al Ameri, who succeeded Cregan as the circuit’s supremo in March this year. Al Ameri was speaking after announcing “the most competitive calendar to date” at the five-year-old venue, which will host the final F1 grand prix of the season between November 21 and 23.
Could an Emirati join Lewis Hamilton et al on the starting grid of their home race, as desired by Cregan in 2010?
Speaking to Gulf News, Al Ameri said: “I’ll be honest, it’s a good aspiration and target from the circuit’s perspective, and we will try as much as possible to facilitate that [Cregan’s dream] to happen. We are creating new platforms and supporting different new programmes to engage the young drivers and helping them develop.”
One of these new programmes is the TRD 86 Cup, which offers motorsport enthusiasts the chance to realise their dreams of becoming professional racing drivers and competing in a single-make championship on six days between December to April.
Drivers can pay Dh150,000 for the privilege of receiving their own race-ready Toyota 86 Cup car to race in a Master’s class for experienced drivers and a Rookie category for beginners on different layouts of the Yas Marina Circuit.
Al Ameri urged Emirati motorracing fans, and indeed those of any nationality, to “take full advantage of all the programmes that exist at Yas Marina Circuit” if they believe they have the talent to succeed in the cut-throat world of elite sport.
“There is no time frame for talent,” Al Ameri added. “It depends purely on the talent [if Yas can produce a motorsport star] and their persistence to drive their ambition. We have to dig up that talent through community engagement and show them what it take takes to succeed in motorsport.”
But will the TRD 86 Cup garner enough interest to flourish, given the hefty cash outlay (which includes a waiver on race fees for the first season, two free track days at the circuit and a private tuition session or licence assessment) needed to participate in it?
“I think what we did with the 86 Cup is reduce the entry barrier severely compared to other platforms and hopefully, that will create momentum within the community. This is a chance for motorsports enthusiasts to get behind the wheel and enjoy the exhilaration of competitive racing on our world-class track.
The rally will be held on the North Handling Track at Yas Marina Circuit, feature 20-plus competitors in four classes over eight stages, and will be candidate event for the 2015 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC).
Continuing the high-octane racing theme, the Ferrari World Finals will take place on December 8 and 9, the first time they will be held in the Middle East.
Yas Marina officials are billing this as the biggest motorsport event outside of the grand prix weekend as 150 Ferraris, driven by Formula One drivers and racing enthusiasts, will take part in a thrilling racing spectacle.
Other significant motorsports events on the agenda include the return of the Gulf 12 Hour. Held between December 11 and 13, the event, now in its second year, will see a significant increase in the grid size and the 2014 edition will also include races from Maserati and Audi racing, too.
Yas Marina Circuit’s already extensive motor-racing experience retail portfolio has been widened with the inclusion of Taxi Drift, Drift Sprint and the YAS Super Street Challenge and motorcycle enthusiasts will also be able to join in the racing action as the circuit introduces Bike Track Days to help build a thriving bike-racing community.
