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Iconic racing circuit makes fitting venue for start of world's greatest solar car event
Abu Dhabi - The Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge (ADSC), the first International Solarcar Federation (ISF) sanctioned event in the Middle East was launched at Yas Marina Circuit today.
Sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and hosted by Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company, Masdar, the event is part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). The event will take place January 15-19 and will finish at the opening ceremony of the World Future Energy Summit.
As part of ADSW, the challenge brings innovation in clean technology to life and highlights Abu Dhabi's role as a leader in the sector. Abu Dhabi is welcoming university teams from Australia, Europe, America, Middle East and Asia to compete in the cross-country road event. The teams, which include Unites Arab Emirate's own Petroleum Institute, will travel approximately 1,200km over the next four days in a battle for the championship title. The students have planned and prepared for city and desert road driving over the course of the event. This is no mean feat in a competition where smooth and economical driving are keys to success.
Yas Marina Circuit will be presenting the team who complete the qualifying lap in the fastest time with a prestigious award.
Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Motorsports Management, said: "We are very pleased to be the launch venue for the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge. Being part of the first International Solarcar Federation sanctioned event to be held in the Middle East is a great way to engage the youth and compliments other activities we have such as our 'F1 in schools' programme. We wish all the students the very best of luck."
ADNOC spokesperson said: "We are thrilled to be here at Yas Marina Circuit today, at the start of the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge and welcoming these students to the UAE. This is a tremendous venue and we thank those at the circuit for their involvement in the challenge. The students taking part in the solar challenge are extremely lucky to have the chance to drive on such an iconic track."
"The Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge is an investment in innovation, science, youth, and engineering in the UAE, and ADNOC is proud to be sponsor in something so important. The students taking part will provide the future generation of engineers and scientists, in the UAE and globally. We wish all the teams the best of luck."
The teams will undergo the qualifying round today, around a track that is also home to world famous F1™ drivers. All teams must qualify to move through to the on-road challenge, which begins on January 16, departing from Yas Marina Circuit.
"The solar challenge brings clean technology to life and highlights Abu Dhabi's role as a leader in the sector," said Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar. "From cutting-edge vehicle technology to harnessing solar energy, the challenge exemplifies what human ingenuity can achieve."
Masdar's global reputation as a renewable-energy pioneer helped bring the solar challenge to Abu Dhabi. The company's mission to advance clean energy, along with Abu Dhabi's role as an international energy hub, makes the emirate an ideal location for the solar-car competition. Masdar is proud to host the event as it showcases the viability of solar technology, while also displaying the power of human ingenuity.
"Abu Dhabi is the site of the world's most important exhibition and conference on renewable energy. It was very fitting that the idea for a solar car challenge be added to provide another exciting path to the future. ISF is very proud to sanction the first Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge in the UAE," said Hans Tholstrup, International Solarcar Federation president.
The UAE's Petroleum Institute team has a number of high-profile rally driver ambassadors, including Mohammed Ben Sulayem who was at the launch to show his support. Sulayem has acted as an advisor to the team in the months before its first ever solar challenge.
"Working closely with the PI team has been an honour and hugely inspiring for me. This is the first time a solar car from the UAE has been taken part in an event such as this, so it is extremely important. All eyes will be on the UAE for the ADSC, but also for the home team, who have already achieved such remarkable things and I am positive they will continue to do so. Best of luck to the PI team and all of the other teams competing," said Mr. Ben Sulayem.
Each day of the challenge will take teams to a new destination in Abu Dhabi, encompassing the landscapes the emirate has to offer. Residents will have an opportunity to see the cars in action at all checkpoints along the route.
On day one, the cars will set off from Yas Marina Circuit, from where they will across the scenic Saadiyat road and along the Corniche, past some of Abu Dhabi's most iconic landmarks- Emirates Palace and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, before driving out to Al Ain and stopping for a checkpoint at UAE University. The teams will then continue back towards Abu Dhabi, before reaching the overnight stop at Masdar City.
Day two will offer the teams more desert driving as they set off again from Masdar City, planning for a 325km drive to Hameem in the desert, and finishing at Shams 1 concentrated solar power plant, where they will enjoy an overnight stay and experience some of the local culture.
The third day will take competitors from Shams 1 down to Liwa desert, and back west via Ghayathi towards the Shams solar station once again. The teams will cross the finish line at the solar plant, and course officials will calculate the elapsed time of how long each car took to complete the cross-country route.
On January 19, the teams will travel to Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre to the opening ceremony of ADSW, where the winners of the Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge will be announced.
Organisers are strongly encouraging the public to attend all stopovers for a chance to see the cars up close and meet the teams. Stopover points are as follows:
16thJanuary: 10am-1pm at UAE University, Al Ain
19thJanuary: 8:30am at First Gulf Bank Arena, 10am at World Future Energy Summit, ADNEC
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About International Solarcar Federation
The International Solarcar Federation (ISF) is the official governing body of the major international solar car races held throughout the world. The first general assembly and chartering meeting was held in Beatenberg, Switzerland in 1991. ISF is managed by an Executive Board comprised of current and former international race directors and other individuals with extensive experience with building and racing solar cars. The main role of ISF is to create and update rules and regulations, and establish homologation among the various races and competitions. ISF is a not-for-profit organisation.
About Professional Sports Group
Professional Sports Group is one of the leading sports marketing and events companies in Europe and the Middle East, with offices in the UK and the UAE. PSG has four divisions focusing on Events, Communications, Representation, and Sponsorship. Few companies can rival PSG's experience in delivering major events, negotiating and activating professional and amateur sports worldwide ranging from Football to Formula 1, Golf to Cricket, Olympics to Hurling. Since it was founded in 1996, PSG has established itself as a company who delivers its commitment to its clients.
www.profsports.com
About ADNOC
ADNOC was established in 1971 to operate in all areas of the oil and gas industry. The company founded subsidiaries forming an integrated oil and gas industry in the fields of exploration, production, support services, oil refining and gas processing, petrochemicals, logistics and refined products distribution.
The Supreme Petroleum Council (SPC), chaired by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, formulates and oversees the implementation of Abu Dhabi petroleum policies.
For more than four decades, ADNOC has been enhancing its competitive position becoming one of the world's leading oil companies with substantial business interests in upstream and downstream operations.
Giving priority to education, ADNOC established a number of institutions that train and develop a qualified UAE cadre for the energy sector. ADNOC Technical Institute, Petroleum Institute, Glenelg School of Abu Dhabi and programs such as Scholarships and Achievers' Oasis are examples of ADNOC academic initiatives.
ADNOC has affiliate subsidiary companies that include ADCO, ADMA-OPCO, ZADCO, NDC, GASCO, ADGAS, Al Hosn Gas, ELIXIER, TAKREER, ADNOC Distribution, BOROUGE, FERTIL, ESNAAD, IRSHAD, ADNATCO-NGSCO, Al Dhafra Oil Operations Company Ltd and Al Yasat Company for Petroleum Operations LLC.
www.adnoc.ae
About Masdar
Masdar is Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Backed by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirate's long-term vision for the future of energy.
www.masdar.ae
About Innovators Educational Foundation
The Innovators Educational Foundation is an organisation devoted to educational opportunities where students are challenged with "hands-on" learning experiences in the areas of science, engineering, and technology. Supported activities like the American Solar Challenge, Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge and Solar BikeRayce USA push students to think "outside the box" and to be innovative with ideas that will lead to developing better solutions to challenges facing societies around the world. Our mission is to engage young minds with the hopes of developing more world leaders in these critical areas that affect everyone.
For further information:
2015 Abu Dhabi Solar Challenge
http://www.adsolarchallenge.org/
Name: Jess Macdonald
Tel +971 2 441 8122
Mob +971 56 1297637
Email: jess@profsports.com
© Press Release 2015
