JEDDAH, 7 July 2006 — Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal ibn Fahd, vice-president of General Presidency of Youth Welfare, announced last week a specialized committee was created to govern and regulate motor sports in the Kingdom.
Prince Nawaf made the announcement during an inspection visit to Jeddah Raceway, the first authorized drag racing hub in the Mideast. He said that the creation of the Car and Motorcycle Racing Committee, to be presided by Mishael Al-Sudairy, will help develop the motor sports activities in the country and help transform the sport into an economic and tourism boost.
“Jeddah Raceway is a new addition to the huge sport facilities in the kingdom and will enable such a sport to develop to reach international events through professional Saudi names,” he said.
The prince has also gave the green light to the first race to take place on the Drag Strip.
URC Chairman Prince Faisal ibn Saud ibn Abdul Mohsen said Prince Nawaf’s visit to Jeddah Raceway demonstrates the attention he pays to sports and youth. He pointed out that the establishment of the Jeddah Raceway was a natural response to promoting the increasing passion for motor sports among Saudi youth, adding that he hoped the project would also further encourage Saudi youth to pursue their racing skills in a safer, controlled environment, without jeopardizing road safety.
“The support of Prince Sultan ibn Fahd, president of Youth Welfare, and his deputy Prince Nawaf has greatly motivated us to make this major project a reality and to take Saudi motor sports to international arenas,” Prince Faisal pointed out.
URC Vice-Chairman and Executive Director, Mishael ibn Abdul Mohsen ibn Abdulrahman Al-Sulaiman, said Jeddah Raceway will be home to some of the best sporting action through a regular calendar of racing activities. It will also enable sports enthusiasts to enjoy a ringside view of the spectacular motor sports experiences.
He added, the raceway, located in north Jeddah, east off Medina Road, covers an area of 250,000 square meters, and will consist at its first phase of an international standard quarter mile drag racing strip, stands that can accommodate up to 15,000 spectators and a landmark control tower besides important amenities such as restaurants, car accessories shops, workshops, car inspection facilities, and separate sections for contestants, management, sponsors and media personnel.
