Abu Dhabi to host opening race of 2019 FIA World Rallycross Championship – a first for the Middle East.
Upgraded KartZone enhances Yas Marina Circuit’s commitment to developing region’s motorsports talent.
Yas Marina Circuit celebrates attracting 1 million visits to community sporting events with addition of new cycling session.
Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2 October, 2018: Yas Marina Circuit has unveiled its most comprehensive and dynamic calendar of events to date, with a huge range of exciting motorsports and community activities in the pipeline.
In keeping with its “Always On” promise, Yas Marina Circuit has once again cemented its position as a world-class, year-round hub for high-octane sport, entertainment, fitness, and business events.
In an exciting new development for the 2018-19 calendar, Yas Marina Circuit will host the opening race of the FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP.
Taking place over the weekend of April 5th to 6th 2019 the event will be the first time the championship has visited the Middle East and is a further boost to Yas Marina Circuit’s sporting credentials and heritage.
Race goers can expect a full weekend of off-track entertainment with thrilling on-track action and some of the world’s most talented drivers competing for glory across the Championship’s thrilling Supercar and RX2 classes.
Budding racers will also receive extra motivation this year thanks to a AED24 million revamp of the Yas KartZone. The new 1.2-km track offers improved racing facilities for adults, kids and young children as well upgraded food and beverage outlets and public viewing areas.
This October sees the achievement of a significant milestone of more than one million visits, to participate in its iconic StartYAS, TrainYAS and GoYAS Village community sporting events, the circuit has established itself as the region’s biggest health and fitness platform.
This year, the Circuit will once again host a range of sporting events for athletes of all ages and abilities as well as families from across the Abu Dhabi community and beyond as it continues to promote the benefits of an active lifestyle.
In another boost to Yas Marina Circuit’s status as an important hub for sporting and fitness events, a new early morning cycling programme will be launched for the 2018/19 season.
TrainAM, a new partnership with Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, will be open to members of the community and clubs across Abu Dhabi with the Circuit providing a safe, fun and exciting venue for keen cyclists to train.
The 2018-19 calendar will also see the return of fans’ favourite motorsport events, ranging from single-seater championships and iconic endurance races to street-style drag events, including the TRD 86 Cup, Yas Racing Series, and the Gulf 12 Hours while vintage F1® cars return for another season along with the Super Street and Yas Roll Racing drag racing sessions.
Adding to a number of first for the Circuit, Yas Marina Circuit will be adding a dedicated day of driving to the calendar which will be run by women, for women. The day, which is aimed at encouraging females into motorsport, will be a celebration of the female talent in the region and an opportunity to further strengthen and support females wanting to learn more about the sport. Led by the Circuits four female instructors, ladies will get the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities including karting, driving and passenger experiences and hear from a number for female involved in motorsport including the two female drivers that will be taking part in this year’s TRD 86 Championship.
The highlight every year, especially in 2018 given its 10th edition, is the season-ending FORMULA 1 2018 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX on November 25.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “Yas Marina Circuit is proud of its long track record of hosting thrilling motorsport races that attract fans from across the globe to Abu Dhabi while our innovative health and fitness events and challenges have helped us to reach the incredible milestone of welcoming one million visits.
“Each year the Circuit’s annual event’s calendar is filled with the biggest and best activities and programmes that define its position as an important multi-purpose venue that serves the entire community.
“With the new season being bookended by major sporting events – the FORMULA 1 2018 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX in November and the FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP in April – the 2018-19 calendar promises to be our biggest to date and fully demonstrates that Yas Marina Circuit is ‘Always On’.
The FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP season is guaranteed to get off to a roaring start at the Yas Marina Circuit thanks to the support of key stakeholders Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), the Department for Culture and Tourism (DCT), Miral, and Aldar.
With some of the best Rallycross drivers in the world competing against each other, fans can expect to be blown away by a thrilling demonstration of motorsport action featuring powerful, highly modified and super sporty versions of regular production cars.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile & Touring Club UAE, said: “Bringing the FIA WORLD RALLYCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP to Yas Marina Circuit is a huge boost to the development of motorsports in the UAE.
“This international event will help to build on the UAE’s already strong heritage of competing in major motorsports events and hosting championship races as well as inspiring a new generation of talented racing stars to compete at the highest level.”
In more exciting news for karting enthusiasts, Yas Marina Circuit’s karting facility has also received a AED24 million investment, with a new and improved 1.2-km circuit now features three new karting tracks designed to offer more options to adults, children and young drivers as well as a range of brand-new karts. The facility also boasts an improved customer experience with new retail and enhanced public viewing areas.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, said: “The Circuit aims to engage with its partners through important corporate events and activations have that a broad appeal to all visitors, while the new-look karting facility will help us to continue our support for developing driving talent in the region.”
Organisers also revealed details of a packed line-up of motorsport events. These include the fifth season of the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) 86 Cup, a single-make, motorsport championship introduced in 2014 to help amateur racers drive in a professional, competitive environment. This latest edition of the TRD 86 Cup will feature two female drivers.
The Gulf 12 Hours endurance race is also back on December 13-15, 2018, while the Yas Super Street Challenge, Yas Marina Circuit’s local urban racing competition, will return to tear up the tyres with five categories over four exciting rounds.
The 2018-19 season will see Yas Marina Circuit’s regular health and fitness evenings evolve even further with additional activations to complement the weekly running, walking and cycling events as organisers aim to build on the incredible milestone of attracting one million visitors in the past year.
As well as the hugely popular StartYAS, TrainYAS and GoYAS Village community sporting events that have helped to shape the Circuit’s position as a leader in the promotion of a healthy, more active lifestyle, TrainAM will offer cyclists in Abu Dhabi an early morning venue to exercise.
Organised by the Circuit in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, TrainAM will be open to cyclists of all ages, abilities and speeds and is fully supported by key partners Daman Healthcare, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Ministry of Health.
Mohammed Al Hammadi, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Cycling Club, welcomed the addition of TrainAM to the Circuit’s popular fitness events.
“TrainAM will help to make cycling more accessible across the UAE and help to grow the profile of cycling as a great way to work out with friends and family,” said Mr Al Hammadi. “We look forward to welcoming keen cyclists and beginners to Yas Marina Circuit to train in a safe and fun way at an iconic venue.”
In yet another example of Yas Marina Circuit’s important role in the Abu Dhabi community, Daman Healthcare has agreed a new three-year sponsorship deal to support sporting events at the Circuit.
Dr Sven Rohte, Chief Commercial Officer at National Health Insurance Company – Daman, said: “The ongoing popularity and far reaching success of the regular community-focused sporting events held each week at Yas Marina Circuit are a testament to our successful partnership. It demonstrates that we are on the right path when it comes to meeting our objectives in ensuring that members of the community are inspired to take up physical fitness and lead healthy lifestyles. The shared aspirations are in full alignment with Daman’s ambitions to support the creation healthier communities across the country.”
“On behalf of Daman I would like to extend my appreciation and thanks to YMC and many of our key partners including the Department of Health and Abu Dhabi Sports Council. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience and we are pleased to extend this relationship for another three years,” added Dr Rohte.
As the FORMULA 1 2018 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX fast- approaching, Yas Marina Circuit is heading for yet another sell-out weekend with a world-class line-up of Yasalam After-Race Concerts featuring world-class musical stars Post Malone, The Weeknd, Sam Smith and Guns N’ Roses.
Tickets are available online at www.yasmarinacircuit.com, through the Yas Marina Circuit Call Centre (800 927) or +971 (0) 2 659 9800, as well as through all Etihad Shops and Virgin Megastores, Yas Central Express stand at Yas Mall, and through the YasHUB smartphone app and its Facebook shop: www.facebook.com/yasmarinacircuit
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