JEDDAH, 18 October 2006 — Saudi Arabia will officially open its first world-class motor racetrack next Wednesday simultaneous with the start of the championship match in the Kingdom’s first ever drag race. Also, for the first time in the Middle East, the world’s strongest two dragster cars fitted with jet engines will perform three demonstration rounds.
The opening of world-class Jeddah Raceway (JRW) located at Madinah Street, Abhor, highlights the importance of the sport in honing the skills of Saudi drivers for international competitions.
Prince Faisal ibn Saud ibn Abdel Mohsen, Chairman of United Racing Co, the company in charge of Jeddah Raceway, will lead the monumental event. Prominent guests include a number of princes and officials from the General Presidency of Youth Welfare along with members of Cars and Motorcycles Committee of GPYW and other concerned motor sports.
Acknowledging the efforts extended by JRW sponsors, Prince Faisal told a press conference “Without such support and help, Jeddah Raceway, would not come out in this fantastic and honorable way, which we all are proud of, to enable motor sports to take its normal position commensurate with the name of the Kingdom and the achievements of its drivers in the Arab and international events.”
Prince Abdul Majeed, the governor of Makkah Region, Prince Sultan ibn Fahd, president of GPYW, Prince Mishaal ibn Majed, governor of Jeddah province, and Prince Nawaf ibn Faisal, GPYW vice-president, lead the list of dignitaries who will attend the opening.
On the sidelines of the occasion, the qualification session in the Kingdom’s first drag race takes off, too. The finals will be on the next day.
Mishaal Abdel Mohsen Al-Suliman, deputy chairman and general manager of United Racing Company, said “as part of the opening ceremony of Jeddah Raceway, we shall organize the Kingdom’s first drag race championship under the auspices of the General Presidency of Youth Welfare and the supervision of Motor Sport and Motorcycles Committee.”
Registration and rehearsals started last Sept. 18.
He added: “For the first time in the Middle East, Jeddah Raceway will host the world’s strongest dragster cars which are equipped with jet engines. As part of the opening ceremony, both cars will compete in 3 demonstration rounds over two days.”
“We started trial operation of Jeddah Raceway since last August and during the period, about 30,000 spectators visited Jeddah Raceway and about 2,000 enthusiasts participated in various racing activities including the weekly races, such as modified cars shows, motorcycles shows, 3rd and 4th rounds of Karting Championship 2006,” he pointed out.
Some 90% of Jeddah Raceway staff are Saudis and have been trained by experts from the Automobile International Federation (FIA), Al-Suliman added.
Adel Fakeeh, Jeddah mayor, Thahban municipality, Saudi Committee for Motor Sport and Motorcycles through its chairman Mishaal ibn Fahd Al-Sudairy, were also cited for their efforts in JRW.
Sponsors of JRW are Bison energy drink, Toyota Motors Co, Saudi Telecom Co, Castrol Oil, New Horizon institutes, My Car Center, Cartech Center, Corner of Modified Cars, Arabian Car Wash, Magic Donuts, Fresh Juices and the International Company for Dino.
Tickets are available at Jeddah Barney’s Cafés and outlets for all interested.
