Abu Dhabi: The wait of local motorsport fans in the UAE is over as the first in a series of weekends featuring grass roots and professional racing action returns to the home of the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend.
The season-opener will run from Thursday to Saturday with the return of the Yas Racing Series, held under the umbrella of Yas Motor Racing Club.
Making its Yas Marina Circuit debut will be the FIA-accredited Formula 4 UAE Trophy, which runs across 18 rounds over six separate weekends — the majority of which will take place at Yas Marina Circuit.
Open to drivers aged 15 years and above, the Formula 4 UAE Trophy was created by motorsport world governing body FIA to help local drivers in the UAE bridge the gap between existing regional racing series and European competition and potentially Formula One.
Back for its third successive season and supported once again by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is the TRD 86 Cup — a single-make, sustainable local motorsport initiative introduced by Yas Marina Circuit in 2014 to enable amateur racers to drive in a professional, competitive environment.
This season will feature a mix of professional and amateur drivers as they look to compete head-to-head for a place on the podium across two separate categories — Gold and Silver — in the first of six competitive rounds that will see the TRD 86 Cup winner crowned in April next year.
In addition to the TRD 86 Cup and Formula 4 UAE, Yas Racing Series also includes the Formula Gulf 1000, the UAE’s national single-seater championship, featuring cars with identical slicks and wings to thrill spectators at the iconic F1 circuit.
“We are delighted to welcome back Yas Racing Series this weekend,” said Al Tareq Al Ameri, chief executive officer of Yas Marina Circuit. “As we have proved, there is strong demand for local motorsport competition here in the UAE. We’re especially pleased to see the return of the TRD 86 Cup for its third season as well as the debut of the Formula 4 UAE, which will no doubt boost the local grass roots racing scene and create a pathway for future stars.
“Whether it’s entry-level races for amateurs or international series for seasoned professionals, Yas Marina Circuit’s season of motorsport will offer fans a comprehensive range of racing and we hope you can join us for what promises to be a spectacular opening weekend.”
With a ticket for the weekend’s packed schedule of events costing only Dh25 per person, organisers say it’s great value for all members of the family.
To find out more about events at Yas Marina Circuit, visit www.yasmarinacircuit.com.
