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A big boost to budding drivers of the region
It’s good news for motorsport freaks. Budding drivers in the UAE who loved life on the fast lane till now had to pacify themselves racing only at the karting level.
They then began wonder how to take their step forward to turn professional with little options in the Middle East.
But for the first time in this region, the young aspiring drivers can look forward to make it big in the racing circuit with the UAE’s new Formula Gulf 1000 single-seater championship.
This championship provides the drivers a structured route to the Formula One and helps them build their experience and prepares them for the challenges of the Europe and Asia racing championships.
The series will allow drivers ranging from the age of 15 to 25 work with professional drivers coaches from Europe throughout the 2010/2011 race season at the Dubai Autodrome and Yas Marina Circuit.
The cost of a full season in FG 1000 will be $84,250 (around Dhs 300,000).
A scholarship will be awarded to the champion of 2010/11 FG 1000 to race in Formula Renault BARC in the UK during 2011.
“The $11 billion spent on motor-racing infrastructure, strategic investments and eight F1 events has stimulated interest in motor racing and the search for a local driver in F1,” said Barry Hope, Director of Racing at GulfSport. “This initiative responds to that interest by offering an opportunity for those talented and aspiring young drivers to start their journey to F1 on home soil.”
The single-seater racing car has been designed and built by legendary racing car builder Ralph Firman Racing and will be maintained and run by the experienced GulfSport team. The car meets all relevant FIA safety requirements, will equip young drivers with the foundation driving skills required for International competition, that is, a high-downforce single seater with front and rear wings, 3-pedals, flat-shift, 6-speed sequential gearbox, high-performance four-cylinder engine, slick racing tyres, data logger and in-car camera. Lap times are expected to be between Formula BMW and Formula Renault.
Basing the first step of the motor racing career ladder within the region creates a cost-effective alternative to travelling to Europe and the Far East, where drivers have often been poorly prepared and had to deal with much higher costs charged by similar championships and race teams. In order to further control costs and keep the focus on driver ability, the organisers will provide identical racing cars and testing will be limited to official test days.
The series will run under the auspices of the Automobile and Touring Car Club of the UAE (ATCUAE).
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