Motor sport competitor licences will be issued free of charge to all Emirati drivers and riders in 2013, the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) announced today (October 7).

ATCUAE president Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the move is part of an ongoing commitment by the national motor sport authority to encourage greater participation in all areas of motor sport by Emiratis.

“The future of motor sport in the UAE depends on the active involvement of a growing number of Emiratis as competitors, as well as officials and volunteers, and we are looking at many initiatives to bring this about,” said Dr Sulayem.

“From January 1, competitor licences will be free of charge for Emiratis taking part in all forms of organised motor sport in the UAE, from karting to circuit racing, rallying and moto cross.

“This applies to the Emiratis who currently have competitor licences issued by the Club for 2012, as well as all other nationals entering motor sport next year, or those who may wish to return to competitive events,” he added.

The ATCUAE exclusively issues competitor licences in the Emirates on behalf of the FIA, the FIM and the CIK, the world governing bodies of motor sport, motor bike racing and karting respectively.

The club recently announced an expansion of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge, which sees the national karting championship running at four venues for the first time in the 2012-13 season, with the AARKC and DAMC Motor City karting series also running again.

The national motor sport calendar features a wide range of single seater and touring car circuit racing events running, including the UAE GT and Touring Car Championships, the UAE Radical Winter Cup and Radical Cup, as well as the dramatic Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai and the Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit.

Adding to the action are rounds of the Australian V8 Supercars and the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, with more excitement and raw power provided by the Arabian Gulf Drag and Pro Drag attractions, also at Yas Marina Circuit.

The ATCUAE hopes the waiving of competitor licence fees for Emiratis in 2013 will attract more nationals into next year’s Dubai International Rally and Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

It could also boost Emirati entries for a range of competitive bike events in the 600 cc and Rookies classes as well as the National and Club Motocross series.

The ATCUAE’s support for young Emiratis was highlighted recently when Mohammed Al Mutawaa became the first Arab to be accepted into the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.

Nominated and sponsored by the Club, Al Mutawaa was the only Middle East representative among 18 participants at the FIA Institute’s academy which aims at developing young motorsport talent. – TradeArabia News Service