2.46 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Yas Winter/Spring drag racing kicks off on Saturday

One of four new Super Comp dragsters owned by Yas Drag Racing Centre during testing this week in advance of Saturday’s Open Drag Racing night. (SUPPLIED)

Published
By Staff

The winter/spring programme of drag racing gets off to a flying start at Yas Marina Circuit this Saturday with the first of three ‘Open Drag Racing’ nights before the New Year.

Open Drag Racing nights provide access for any driver or bike rider to the state-of-the-art Yas Drag Racing Centre in a practice/testing format. Competitors pay just Dh300 to enter one vehicle and can have up to three crew/supporters at a cost of Dh30 each. Spectators pay Dh30 and all tickets can be purchased at the on-site ticket booth. The event runs from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Participants and spectators can also book rides in the world’s fastest three-seat Super Comp dragster, which will be driven by Yas Top Fuel ace and Chief Drag Racing Instructor Rod Fuller. The passenger rides take place every 30 minutes from 6.30 pm, with the last ride at 10 pm. Rides cost Dh400 per person.
“The concept of Open Drag Racing is to allow car drivers and motorcycle riders to use the full power of their cars and bikes in a safe and controlled environment,” said Rashed Al Qubaisi, Head of the Yas Drag Racing Centre. “This is a fabulous facility - one of the best in the world - and it’s a great opportunity for UAE drag racing fans to get the most out of their cars and bikes. It’s the ideal place to improve your quarter-mile times and perfect your drag skills.”
Fuller and Al Qubaisi this week tested the first two of four brand new single-seat Super Comp dragsters that have arrived at Yas to be used in the Yas Drag Racing Academy. “We’re really excited to have these cars and they will form a key part of our training programme for UAE drag racers,” Fuller said. “Once drivers have their competence certified and receive their Super Comp licence from us, they can actually rent these cars and compete in them.
“For racers and non-racers alike, the three-seat Super Comp is an excellent way of sampling the sheer thrill, speed and awesome acceleration of drag racing. That car will take the driver and two passengers from zero to almost 250 kilometres an hour in around six seconds, and that’s an experience not to be missed.”