Sulayem tells Arab drivers to capitalise on golden era

Dubai.   Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the most successful Arab driver in motor sport history, says the region’s current generation of hopefuls must capitalise on a golden era which could take one of them all the way to the top level in circuit racing.

Sulayem, winner of a record 14 Middle East rally titles and a glut of other international awards, believes there is little to stop an Arab driver finding success at the highest level now that the region has developed its own world-class motor sport venues.

He says the introduction of the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East is another positive development at a time when the region is attracting an increasing amount of international attention and respect.

“In the past, it was difficult to see an Arab driver go far in circuit racing because they would need to spend so much time in Europe,” said Sulayem. “It’s a different story now, as we have our own tracks, including two of the best in the world in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. This is a golden era for someone with talent and dedication.”

Five challengers from the new Porsche GT3 Cup series get the kind of opportunity which Sulayem sees as priceless during the upcoming Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix race programme on 13-14 March

Championship leader Prince Abdulaziz Al Faisal, Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Rashid Al Khalifa,  Abu Dhabi’s Khaled Al Qubaisi, and Saudi’s Bandar Alesayi and Fahad Algosaibi, have all been given special invitations to line up in the first two rounds of the 2010 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup that weekend.

“I don’t know how much ambition they have. But being in a professionally run series like they are they must be serious about motor sport and so they should take full advantage of opportunities like this when they come along,” said Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and Vice President of the FIA, motor sport’s world governing body.

“They’ll have the chance to measure themselves against more experienced and faster drivers from Europe, and should learn as much as they can. They’ll also be sharing the stage with the stars of Formula One, and they shouldn’t take that lightly.”

“I was always keen to learn what I could when I met and competed with great drivers like Bjorn Waldegard, Ari Vatanen and Carlos Sainz. You can soak up so much just by watching and listening to them.”

Prince Abdulaziz has a 45-point lead in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East which is sponsored by Michelin and Mobil 1 and was launched at the Bahrain Grand Prix Circuit back in December.

He can now clinch the title on home territory later this month, with Rounds 9 and 10 to be held at Reem International Circuit, outside Riyadh, on March 24-25 and the final two rounds taking place there the following week.
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The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has been supporting the FIA Formula One World Championship since 1993 and is the world’s fastest and most spectacular international one make professional race series.

Captions: Action from the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East - Mohammed Ben Sulayem says the series is another positive development for the region