Young motorsport talent from across the Middle East and Mediterranean regions can now apply to take part in the upcoming UAE-based Mena selection event for the 2013/14 FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.

Taking place from September 22 to 25 at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, the four-day event will be hosted by the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), and is one of five regional qualifying events held to deliver eight of the best young drivers across the world into the revamped FIA Academy.

Up to 26 National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) from across the Mena region and beyond are eligible to nominate one driver each to participate, provided they meet the minimum criteria set out by the FIA, motor sport's world governing body. The Academy is open to drivers aged 17-23 who have demonstrated excellence in competition so far.

“The ATCUAE is delighted that the FIA Institute has asked us to organise and run the Mena regional selection event for their much improved 2013/14 Young Driver Excellence Academy,” said Dr Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the ATCUAE.

“It is a great tribute to the expertise and facilities that we have available in the UAE, and we look forward to playing a continued role in the identification and development of young talent in the Middle East and surrounding region for many years to come.”

The best driver from the UAE event and others being held in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, will enter the full FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy programme along with three wild card selections.

For geographical and logistical reasons, the Mena selection event was expanded to 26 nations and includes Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan. The ATCUAE will shortly announce its own candidate for the next month’s event.

The Academy programme aims to find and develop the next generation of world motorsport champions, and will feature training events at locations across Europe over the following season.

The recent European qualifier saw 25 drivers take part with Lithuania’s Ignas Gelzinis winning the coveted guaranteed place.

The Academy itself will be a similar format to previous years, with drivers receiving a fully-funded training programme to help develop their motor sport careers whilst increasing safety skills and promoting fairness and responsibility on and off the track.

They will again benefit from the expert tutelage of Alex Wurz, former Formula One driver and two-time Le Mans winner, alongside Robert Reid, former World Rally Champion.

Drivers wishing to apply for the Mena selection event in the UAE must contact their local ASN. – TradeArabia News Service