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29 March 2024

Yas Marina Circuit launches TRD 86 Cup in 'busiest' season

Ahmed Mohammed Hilal Al Kaabi (left), Head of Government Affairs, Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management, Al Tareq Al Ameri (centre), CEO of ADMM, and Faisal Abdullah Al Sahlawi, Head of Business Development, ADMM, at the press conference to announced the Yas Marina Circuit 2014-15 calendar in Abu Dhabi on Monday. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Allaam Ousman

Yas Marina Circuit (YMC) announced what has been termed the "busiest calendar" in its history offering racing enthusiasts in the region, much more than the final event of the Formula One season.

The F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be the highlight of an action-packed 2014-2015 events calendar, that will engage the corporate business community but also target the Emirati youth with exciting events throughout the year.

"The Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix has grown into a modern classic since its inaugural event in 2009. It will be a grand finale since double points will be awarded for the first time. We expect a capacity crowd of 60,000 and with less than two months to go for the F1 weekend (November 21-23), only 15 per cent tickets are available," said Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of YMC at a press conference at the circuit on Monday.

"We want to make Yas Marina Circuit the busiest and exciting circuit throughout 365 days. We have some 450 event and hope to attract 200,000 visitors to Abu Dhabi in 2014," he added.

With ‘Let’s Go Racing’ as the central theme, the TRD 86 Cup kicks off the racing action.

Supported by Toyota Racing Development (TRD), this is the first race series organised by YMC, and the TRD 86 Cup will run across six race days between December and April next year and provides a unique opportunity for competitors to lead their very own race team in real competition.

Part of the popular Yas Racing Series, the first ever, single-make championship to run at Yas Marina Circuit will see competitors receive their own, customised, race-ready Toyota 86 Cup car – theirs to keep.

The TRD 86 Cup will kick off on December 11-13 providing an opportunity for anyone who has ever dreamed of being a professional race driver to fulfil a lifelong ambition.

For an entry cost of Dh150,000, each of the up to 15 plus drivers will receive their own race-ready Toyota 86 Cup car, based on the TMG GT86 CS-V3.

Split into a Master’s class for experienced drivers and a Rookie class for new drivers, they will race competitively on different layouts of the circuit.

Al Ameri believes the prospect of such accessible motor racing action at one of the world’s most iconic venues will make a significant contribution to the growth of local motorsports.

“This is a chance for motorsports enthusiasts to get behind the wheel and enjoy the exhilaration of competitive racing on our world-class track. It is also a fantastic opportunity for fans and enthusiasts of the sport, offering them a route from being spectators into actually participating,” he added.

The arrival of the Abu Dhabi Rally on October 16 and 17 will present another racing first.

The rally will be held on the North Handling Track at Yas Marina Circuit and this candidate event for the 2015 FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) further reinforces Yas Marina Circuit’s 360-degree motor racing proposition and is a welcome addition to its racing calendar.

Continuing the high-octane racing theme, the Ferrari World Finals will take place on December 8 and 9.

The race represents a huge coup for the region and will be the first time this prestigious event has been held in the Middle East.

The Ferrari World Finals promises to be the biggest motorsport event outside of the F1 weekend as 150 Ferraris driven by Formula 1 drivers and racing enthusiasts will take part in this thrilling racing spectacle.

Other significant motorsports events include the return of the Gulf 12 Hour. Held between the December 11 and 13, the event, now in its second year, will see a significant increase in the grid size and the 2014 edition will also include races from Maserati and Audi racing too.

YMC’s already extensive motor racing experience retail portfolio has been widened with the inclusion of Taxi Drift, Drift Sprint and the YAS Super Street Challenge, and motorcycle enthusiasts will also be able to join in the racing action as the circuit introduces Bike Track Days to help build a thriving bike racing community.

‘Let’s Go Racing’ doesn’t only apply to motorsports at Yas Marina Circuit. The spirit of competition runs through its extensive community health and fitness initiatives too.

There will be the chance to test yourself at the circuit’s regular weekly fitness events – TrainYAS, held on a Tuesday nights and GoYAS, held on Wednesday evenings – or sign up to race against the UAE’s best athletes at Urbanathlon, the toughest 10-kilometre obstacle course the region has seen, taking place at the circuit on October 24.

The race to improve lifestyle habits and raise awareness of diabetes continues with the popular Walk event, taking place on November 7, with up to 20,000 people expected to attend and walk the 5-kilometre track this year.

The ADNIC Yas Run on January 16 and TriYAS on February 20 also offer more opportunities to go flat out and beat your personal best, while the Zayed Marathon on February 27 and the Colour Run on March 27 offer varying levels of competition to both the serious and casual runner.

“The biggest and most action-packed calendar that Yas Marina Circuit has ever launched should offer something to every tourist or resident to enjoy during the next 12 months,” added Al Tareq Al Ameri. “Whether you are a motorsport enthusiast, or enjoy unique fitness challenges, we will offer you the biggest and best opportunities in the region. The team at ADMM hope to see you all there – let’s go racing.”