Abu Dhabi’s Petroleum Institute (PI) has entered into a technical partnership with Michelin, the world’s leading tire company, in a move to equip the UAE’s first solar racing car for the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge (ADSC); the flagship solar car race in the Middle East.

Michelin will be fitting PI’s car with its industry-leading solar tire, the Michelin Radial X 95/80 R16, for the race, which is a multi-day cross-country road competition taking place from 15 to 19 January 2015, starting and finishing in Abu Dhabi.

Coinciding with the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2015, the ADSC will culminate in a parade through the capital ending at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), during the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit.

Nour Bouhassoun, chairman and president of Michelin Africa, India and Middle East Zone (“AIM Zone”) said: “At Michelin, we are determined to be at the forefront of mobility technology, and  are extremely happy to be the technical partner of a forward-looking organisation such as the Petroleum Institute.”

Dr Fahad Almaskari, director of the Solar Car project at Petroleum Institute said: “It’s certainly an exciting time for Petroleum Institute as we launch the UAE’s first solar racing car. We believe that bringing together the best components will bring our car much success in this competition and it therefore makes sense for us to partner with the world’s leading tire company, Michelin, and use its industry leading solar tire.” – TradeArabia News Service

Image caption

BACK: (L-R)  Murshid Saleh Al-Romaithi, senior vice president Administration Support of the Petroleum Institute, Ahmed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, chairman of the Al Fahim Group

FRONT: (L-R) Dr Thomas J. Hochstettler, president of Petroleum Institute, Nour Bouhassoun, chairman and president of Michelin Africa, India and Middle East Zone