Motorsport fan wins spot in Run to Yas race from Muscat to Abu Dhabi

A Londoner will file on-the-road reports to Facebook and Twitter during the Run to Yas, which left the Omani capital on Tuesday.

Geordie Barrie will be in Yas Marina Circuit’s Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, one of 30 in the run. Ryan Carter / The National

DUBAI // No matter which car crosses the line first at Yas Island on the eve of this weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there is already one winner in the Run to Yas.

London motorsport fan Geordie Barrie, 28, was chosen from more than 100 people worldwide to be the event’s official travel writer, filing reports on Facebook and Twitter from one of the supercars.

“I feel very fortunate to be the one selected as the Run to Yas travel writer,” said Mr Barrie, who won the job in a travel writing contest against competitors from as far as Australia and Guatemala.

“It’s a dream opportunity to be driving in supercars over mountains and across deserts before gaining behind-the-scenes insights into one of the best Grand Prix on the calendar.

“Best of all, I’ll be able to share the experience and the images with everyone as we go.”

The race, for supercar owners and enthusiasts, left the Omani capital Muscat on Tuesday and is due at Yas on Saturday, the day before the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi GP.

Mr Barrie will be in Yas Marina Circuit’s Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, one of 30 in the run.

His winning entry described a trip to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia where he met the Uros tribe.

Responsibilities include posting regular reports to Yas Marina Circuit’s social-network pages, with photos and stories on the race and those taking part.

Chris Welch, co-founder of the “Run to” road adventure series, will be driving the Yas Circuit Mercedes and said Mr Barrie was in for a memorable experience.

“This year will be the first time we take the ‘Run To’ event outside of the UK and Monaco to Abu Dhabi, and the first time that we select and invite a travel writer along for the ride,” Mr Welch said.

“Thanks to the support of Yas Marina Circuit and TCA [Tourism and Culture Authority] Abu Dhabi, we are thrilled to welcome Geordie on what promises to be a truly one of a kind adventure.”