UAE's Ben Sulayem leaves his legacy

Mohammed ben Sulayem, arguably the greatest sporting star in the history of the United Arab Emirates, wants to leave a legacy.

The 14-time Middle East Rally Champion not only excelled behind the wheel of Toyotas and Fords, but he has also admirably climbed the career ladder since unclipping his safety belt for the final time.

Ben Sulayem was born on November 12, 1961 in Dubai. As a child growing up, he would quietly lift the keys to his father's Land Rover and sneak out in the dead of night for a quick self-taught driving lesson – using cushions to prop himself forward on the seat and enable his feet to reach the pedals.

The Emirati spent summers in England to escape the repressive Middle Eastern heat and when it came to furthering his education following high school, Ben Sulayem moved to the United States where he studied Political Science at the American University in Washington, DC.

Shortly after his return to the UAE, he was driving to Al Ain when he spotted a group of cars gathered at the side of the road. Having pulled over believing there had been an accident, Ben Sulayem discovered he had actually happened across a rally. He quickly signed up for the next event, which he would go on to race in his friend's car.

"And so it started," he explains. "I went to the next event,?entered and showed good potential. From then on I couldn't stop thinking about it. I wanted the next one – and so I began preparing."

Ben Sulayem was aware that his family would likely not condone such a dangerous pastime, and while living in a Dubai that was at that time still a relatively close-knit community, he opted to race under the pseudonym Mohammed Ahmad.

After some success, however, it was inevitable his cover would be blown. Brother Sultan bin Sulayem – now CEO of Dubai World – had become the man of the house after their father passed away in 1976 and, having discovered Mohammed's secret, he refused to provide cash to race, arguing: "How can I give you money to kill yourself?"

But Ben Sulayem persevered and while competing in Bahrain was offered the chance to join a rally team.

"From that moment on I never looked back," says the man who would go on to win the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) 14 times between 1986 and 2002 as well as competing in 18 races in the World Rally Championship – always ensuring the red, white, green and black of the Emirates was prominently displayed.

In 1991, in a bid to give back to his country and help grow motor sports, Ben Sulayem started the UAE?Desert Challenge, a week-long, off-road race through some of the region's harshest terrains and conditions.

The race grew in popularity to the extent that in 2005 Ben Sulayem's friend, musician Michael Jackson, presented the winners with their awards. The Desert Challenge soon became known as the "Doorway to Dakar" as it was seen as a precursor to the annual race from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal.

It was in these years Ben Sulayem was also named president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), helping it become the leading motoring organisation in the Middle East.

Such high-profile involvement led to the FIA, world motor sports governing body, naming him the official Ambassador for the UAE, and later, in 2008, Vice-President of the FIA for Sport. The latter meant Ben Sulayem became the first Arab to gain a place on the World Motor Sports Council. In his role with the FIA, the 47-year-old deals directly with the organisation's chief Max Mosley and the two businessmen have solidified a great friendship.

Indeed, when Mosley came under intense pressure from British media after being embroiled in a sex scandal last year, it was Ben Sulayem who offered him refuge, inviting him to the inaugural WRC Rally of Jordan instead of attending the Formula One Spanish Grand Prix.

Ben Sulayem has yet to officially retire from racing, and has no intention of stepping away from the business world – despite being financially comfortable. He has been featured on many documentaries that showcase Dubai for its lavishness and wealth; his private car collection is said to be one of the world's finest.

Yet thoughts of retirement couldn't be further from his mind. "I cannot," he said recently. "The challenge drives me. The time when we finally have a grand prix in my home country in 2009 and motorsport is booming and the Government is backing us, do you want me to let it fail and go in the wrong direction?"

Earlier this year, videogame manufacturers Codemasters announced the Emirati would become the first Arab driver to feature in a videogame when Colin McRae: DiRT 2 is released in September. The result is even when he finally does decide to call it a day, the image of Ben Sulayem careering round gravel courses will live on. His legacy is safe.


Race to Victory

Championships

Middle East Rally Championship: 1986-91, 1994, 1996-2002

Individual Rallies

UAE International Rally: 1996-99, 2001

Bahrain International Rally: 2000-02

Qatar International Rally: 1988, 1990-91, 1996-98, 2000-02

Jordan International Rally: 1984, 1987-88, 1990, 1994, 1996-2002

Rally du Liban: 1987, 1997-99

Syrian International Rally: 2000-02

Dubai International Rally: 1985-88, 1991-95, 1997-2002

Oman International Rally: 1986-87, 1990-91, 1994, 1998

Kuwait International Rally: 1985, 1988-89, 1996

Saudi International Rally: 2000

Keep up with the latest business news from the region with the Emirates Business 24|7 daily newsletter. To subscribe to the newsletter, please click here.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.