UAE motorsport icon chats with drivers and crew
Emirati motorsport legend Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and winner of 14 FIA Middle East Rally Championship titles, toured the team garages and pit lane at Dubai Autodrome on Wednesday (11 January) ahead of the renowned Hankook 24H Dubai this weekend (12-14 January).
Accompanied by race officials, media and distinguished members of the ATCUAE and DTCM, Sulayem surveyed the race paddock as teams and crews were busy preparing vehicles for the arduous endurance race that will commence on Friday at 14.00.
He made stops at several garages to chat with personnel, most notably the team garage for Black Falcon. Saudi Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal and Emirati ace Khaled al Qubaisi were both on hand to discuss the race machinery, a pair of sleek Mercedes AMG GT3s, with Sulayem.
1. Reviewing a Black Falcon Mercedes AMG GT3 (from left to right), Gerrie Willems, Abdulaziz Al Faisal, Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem
He also got a good look at the Audi R8 LMSs of Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, last year’s race winners. Both teams will be part of a gigantic grid of up to 100 cars that will battle it out for 24 continuous hours.
Sulayem said: “This event has been going on for twelve years now. People say it is a race. It is more than a race. I believe this event has been, and will be, an important sport event. Not just motorsport, but a sport event for the UAE and especially Dubai.
“I’m glad to be a part of it and I’m glad to be here, because this is an important race for us.”