Mohammed Ben Sulayem has challenged more UAE nationals to follow the example of Marwan Al Tayer and aim for success at the highest level in karting.
Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club for the UAE, led the chorus of praise for Al Tayer after he powered his way to a brilliant podium finish at the recent 2006 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals at Viana Do Castelo, Portugal.
He will get the chance to chase the Rotax title on home territory next year, as it was announced in Portugal that the 2007 Grand Finals will be held at Al Ain Speed Club under the patronage of His Highness Sheik Sultan Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed.
Among 220 drivers from 47 countries to qualify from 6,000 entrants worldwide, Al Tayer and the rest of the five-man UAE team, sponsored by national Rotax distributors Pro Motorsports, were at a distinct disadvantage in an event hit by heavy rain throughout.
But Al Tayer, who qualified as a wild card entry, fought his way from 25th on the grid in the pre-final of the DD2 Class to finish fifth, beating the lap times of world champion Wesley Orr and European champion Pieter Scheelfhals in the process.
In the final, Al Tayer again shrugged off the unfamiliar wet conditions to climb from 21st on the grid to finish third, becoming the first UAE driver to earn a podium finish in the Rotax Grand Finals.
“It was a great performance, especially as the heavy rain made the circuit treacherous and Marwan had no experience of conditions like that” said Sulayem “He has shown UAE nationals what can be achieved, and I’d like to see more young drivers follow his example.”
The other UAE drivers to qualify for Portugal were Assad Rahman in the junior class, Christophe Hissett and top UAE national Saeed Al Shamsi in the seniors, and in the DD2 Class Al Tayer and Ali Bin Shaiban, who was forced to withdraw because of illness. Rahman, Hissett and Al Shamsi each gave a good account of themselves in difficult conditions, although Al Tayer was the only UAE driver to progress to the pre-final.
Khaled Bin Shaiban, Chairman of Pro Motorsports, who also organised the UAE qualifying round of the Rotax Max Challenge, said: “Our goal this year was to have a UAE national race in the World event, and Marwan Al Tayer’s performance in securing a podium finish exceeded our expectations.
“This achievement brings us confidence as we look help other UAE drivers make their mark on the 2007 World Finals in Al Ain where we will be hosting 800 members of the Rotax family from around the world. We went to encourage more UAE nationals and expatriates to join our series next year, and our aim for the Grand Finals is to have a podium finish in all classes.”
