Prestigious new awards to recognise the achievements of Gulf’s rally stars

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Rally veteran: Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi is a well-recognised face in the world of rallying who has launched Abu Dhabi Racing to introduce and nurture young Emirati talent in the hope of finding a champion.

    Motorsport in the Gulf region is to be celebrated with a prestigious new awards event run by Sport360°.

    The GCC Motorsports Awards will recognise the achievements of circuit and rally drivers, motorcy­cle racers, karters, powerboaters, teams, sponsors and all those who operate behind the scenes of what has become an integral part of sport in the region.

    Al Attiyah renews Red Bull deal in bid for second title

    Sharjah Sports Council delivers major boost for Dubai International Rally
    Khaled Al Qubaisi is optimistic despite poor showing in final free practice

    Apart from the current stars of the motorsport scene, the awards will also aim to encourage the development of young drivers in the hope of helping to find champi­ons of the future.

    Michael Chalhoub, CEO of Sport360°, said: “I believe that motorsport is an inherent part of the region’s culture, from its infancy on.

    “Indeed, with the sort of land­scape and facilities that the GCC has to offer, and the passion for cars, quads, motorcycles and boats, that has been flowing into the genes of many of the region’s citizens, it’s only normal that we now have fan­tastic drivers in many sports, ama­teur or professionals, from rally to motorboating, and true specialists in their fields.

    “Sport360°, as an incubator for passion and a facilitator for bring­ing talented people of this region together, has taken the initiative to recognise the amazing drivers and mechanics of the GCC and help put the well-deserved media spotlight on them in a way that has not been done before.

    “We truly believe this will help people thrive and build an amaz­ing competitive atmosphere in the region for people to get to levels of performance unseen before.”

    The full list of categories, which will reward excellence in motor­sport, has yet to be confirmed but will include Professional Driver of the Year, Amateur Driver of the Year, Young Driver of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Race Driving Instructor of the Year, Team of the Year, Arab Driver of the Year, Kar-ter of the Year, and Manufacturer of the Year.

    The best motorsport ini­tiative of the year will also be rec­ognised and the those who keep the wheels turning will get their spot in the limelight with an award for the best pit crew/mechanic.

    Nominees will be judged by an independent panel made up of motorsport experts from the entire region with the results announced at a gala dinner at Yas Marina Cir­cuit, the home of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, on May 7 next year.

    The awards will cover the entire region and are open to both profes­sionals and amateurs who will have separate categories. This initia­tive, which has been welcomed by major motorsport organisations in the GCC, is the latest in a series of events launched by Sport360° to celebrate and develop sporting excellence in the region.

    Entries open in February next year but for more details contact: [email protected].

    Recommended