The Dubai Autodrome chiefs must have looked on anxiously as the finishing touches were put on Yas Marina last autumn. The Abu Dhabi track was expected by many to adversely impact the Autodrome when the Formula One roadshow rolled into the capital last November.
But instead, something peculiar happened at the 10,000-capacity Autodrome circuit, the country's first FIA-recognised Grade 1 track which was opened in 2004. Track bosses were quick to realise they could not compete with the Yas Marina on the world stage, but they were convinced the circuit could still be a driving force for motorsport in the country. And while they have backed away from international events to concentrate more on grass-roots competitions, they believe the Yas effect will have a beneficial impact on the Dubai facility's future.
With an eye fixed on establishing a year-round motorsport calendar at Yas, the capital circuit supplemented Formula One with successful stagings of other international series, such as the Australian V8 Supercars, the opening round of the 2010 GT1 World Championships and a round of the GP2 Asia series. Flagship events need support events though, and Yas chiefs turned to several local and regional series - many distinctly local championships which were born and bred at the private Autodrome - to beef up their cards. They include the UAE Touring Car Championship and the UAE GT Championship.
Despite being each other's primary competition, the synergy between the two tracks is telling. Paul Velasco, the communications manager at the Dubai Autodrome, said: "Yas Marina and Dubai Autodrome have catapulted the UAE to the forefront of regional motorsport. "Yas Marina's batch of high profile international events calendar has boosted the country's motorsport image, and including national racing as part of their international race support bills has provided a major boost for local racing. It has built bridges between us.
"They are government-funded and we are a private enterprise, but even if this was not the case the two circuits would still complement one another. "Having two circuits of such a high standard is fantastic for the perception of UAE motorsport to the world. "Yas Marina caters for the top end game and we push development of grass-roots and national level motorsport, but together we are projecting a great image of where UAE motorsport is heading both nationally and internationally."
With Yas Marina intent on adding MotoGP to its already impressive portfolio, Velasco rejected the assumption that the Abu Dhabi track's growth would hinder that of Dubai. He identified mutual co-operation between the circuits as key to the Autodrome's future development. "There is a synergy developing between the circuits which includes taking UAE national racing to Yas Marina, sharing of marshals and instructor resources and planning non-conflicting dates," he explained.
"Yes we have curtailed international events to focus almost exclusively on development of motorsport at UAE national level, but we are enjoying encouraging growth in all aspects of our business, from karting, to public experiences. "Our track days [where the facility welcomes privately owned vehicles to drive round the track] are well supported, with many drivers eager to make the move up to a national level. Despite the global recession, local race grids have grown at national level for the past four years and the forecast for next season is that even more drivers will be on them. The UAE is positioned to lead the Middle East in circuit racing at national, regional level and international level."
Standards, Velasco adds, also continue to improve. "Driving, racing, preparation, crew and teams quality, everything is always improving. More and more money is being invested and as a result the sport is growing professionally on an ongoing basis. "National race day paddocks are on par with what you see in Europe in terms of transporters, team kit, sponsor branding, high quality equipment, race engineers and telemetry.
"This professionalism has upped the performance ante and the results can be seen on track with very close racing and better lap times across the board." International names, such as Rene Rast, the German Porsche driver, and Arushen Moodley, the South African Superbike Champion, contesting regional series are also driving domestic racing standards higher. "Inevitably local drivers and riders have had to up their game," said Velasco. "Last season, this natural evolution resulted in the biggest upwards swing we've seen yet."
However, the track suffered tragedy last month with the death of Christophe Hissette, a life-time UAE resident and a well-respected pillar of the local racing community, who died following a crash in qualifying for a GulfSport Radical Cup race. It was the Autodrome's first racing fatality, but it has, according to Velasco, rallied an already passionate community. "The loss of Christophe has had massive impact on the local scene," he said. "But I personally believe it has united us. His legacy of being a racer's racer, a true competitor who gave it his all every time he competed, continues to inspire others. "It is also a wake up call to everyone concerned that motorsport is dangerous and not a mere game." While Hissette's long-established connections to national competition will never be forgotten, Velasco confirmed discussions for a permanent memorial will be conducted with his family, but only when the time is right. "Any tribute awards or races will be done in conjunction with Christophe's father, Jean Louis Hissette, and his family," Velasco said. "When the time is right a fitting memorial will be conceived and introduced." @Email:emegson@thenational.ae
Cytech UAE Touring Car Championship Overall & Class 1 Champion: Jonathan Simmonds Class 2 Champion: Umair Khan Class 3 Champion: Rupesh Channake Overall & GTA Champion: Karim Al Azhari GTB Champion: Paul Denby UAE Sportbike Championship Overall & 1000 Class Champion: Arushen Moodle Overall & 600 Class Champion: Pascal Grosjean GulfSport Radical Cup Champion: Jordan Grogor