Khaled Al Qubaisi is hoping that a record-breaking hat-trick of titles at the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai next month will help Abu Dhabi Racing secure more backing in their plans to support the future of Emirati motorsport.
Al Qubaisi was the first UAE driver to win Dubai’s big international endurance race in 2012 before returning 12 months later to help Team Abu Dhabi by Black Falcon successfully defend the title in January.
Now chasing a third consecutive win in the event which forms the opening round of the 2014 24H Series at Dubai Autodrome on 10-11 January, Al Qubaisi wants more UAE companies to follow the example of Daman and Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) in putting their weight behind UAE motor sport.
“We have shown what we are capable of, and I’d like to see more support locally for what we’re doing, and for UAE motor sport in general,” said Al Qubaisi, who is also the Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Racing.
“The government has invested a huge amount of money in the sport, building the best race circuit in the world at Yas Marina, and also supporting Abu Dhabi Racing in our efforts to create more opportunities for young Emirati drivers in international motor sport.
“Our partnership with Daman allowed us to set up the Speed Academy which has the ultimate goal of putting an Emirati into Formula One. EMAL’s support made it possible for me to become the first UAE driver to compete at Le Mans earlier this year.”
Earlier this month, Al Qubaisi created two more records in the Gulf 12 Hours at Yas Marina Circuit, becoming the first Emarati to win from pole position, and the first to be part of a winning team.
He added: “I want many more Emirati drivers to follow me into the international arena, and to make that possible, it’s vital that we get more sponsorship, both from quasi-government organisations and the private sector.”
This years’ FIA GT series will see Abu Dhabi by Black Falcon line-up with Al Qubaisi, Germany’s Bernd Schneider and Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen joined by Andreas Simonsen for next month’s Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai.
With former winners Saudi Falcons entering two powerful BMW Z4 GT3s, and a host of other Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, and Lamborghini challengers also in action, concludes that the defending champions will be tested to the limit.
Among the top drivers Al Qubaisi will be aiming to outpace, as he did in the Gulf 12 Hours, Le Mans winner Guy Smith and world touring car champion Rob Huff .
