New name, car and driver line-up for 2008 WRC season
Al Qassimi optimistic ahead of first full season
Abu Dhabi, UAE - Following a momentous debut World Rally Championship (WRC) season, the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority has revealed the all-new BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Championship Team car - complete with UAE capital livery - to the world's motor-sport media at the Autosport Show in Birmingham, England.
"For eight rallies last year our WRC partnership with reigning champions BP-Ford saw the Abu Dhabi name engage a worldwide television audience of more than 800 million. This compelling mechanism will continue to demonstrate the appeal of Abu Dhabi, and its evolution into one of the Middle East's fastest-growing business and leisure destinations," said HH Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
Buoyed by last year's second consecutive FIA WRC manufacturers' title, the team's three Abu Dhabi emblazoned Ford Focus RS WRC07 cars will be looking to get the capital's full WRC campaign off to a flier in the season-opening Rally Monte Carlo, which runs January 25-27.
"In the 2008 season Abu Dhabi's involvement in the newly named BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team will come to the fore. Our first full season as a marquee partner will see optimum integration of Abu Dhabi's destination branding in all aspects of the team," said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority.
"For the first time the new Abu Dhabi brand and logo will be revealed to the WRC's global fan-base. The BP-Ford World Rally Team will communicate the UAE capital's unique tourism proposition to a worldwide audience of potential visitors.
"We wish everyone in the team, from engineers to drivers - including Abu Dhabi's own Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi - all the best for the long season ahead."
The sleek new Ford Focus RS WRC07 was officially unveiled by Mark Deans, Ford of Europe's new Motorsport Director, and Malcolm Wilson, Team Principal, BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.
"This is our first full season in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and their importance to our WRC programme is reflected in the team's new name and their prominence on the car," said Deans.
Malcolm Wilson also reflected on Abu Dhabi's role in the unique partnership: "We're confident this season's stunning new car will bring continued success to the team, the sport, and of course, Abu Dhabi's reputation as a premier tourism destination."
With Mikko Hirvonen promoted to the lead car following WRC legend Marcus Gronholm's retirement at the end of last season, BP-Ford Abu Dhabi's strategy to develop new, exciting talent will see Jari-Matti Latvala - the rapid 22-year-old Scandinavian - occupy the second car after switching from the Stobart team, where he drove a privately-entered Ford Focus. Latvala's co-driver will be fellow Finn, Miikka Antilla.
The WRC strategy to develop young, hungry talent mirrors Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's Middle East Rally Championship Junior Driver Development Programme - an inspirational scheme for aspiring Emirati drivers to hone their skills in Team Abu Dhabi, the MERC outfit.
Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi - the UAE driver who competed in four WRC events last year as part of the ADTA-Ford partnership - acts as role model for the development programme's proteges.
Al Qassimi will compete in ten events in the 2008 calendar, an amazing opportunity to test his skills on various surfaces - and in front of thousands of spectators - which the Emirati is relishing.
"I can't wait to start my first full WRC season in the new Abu Dhabi car, it looks fantastic, it is faster and lighter than the model I drove last year," said Al Qassimi.
"There are a lot of tarmac events on the calendar this year, and starting the season with Monte Carlo and then Sweden - both mountain and hill events with plenty of ice and snow expected - is obviously a little different to what I'm used to in Abu Dhabi and the MERC!
"I also have a new co-driver for the new season, and with Michael Orr - a hugely experienced navigator - in the cockpit with me. Michael's knowledge will be vital in helping me approach new rallies and surfaces with the confidence to go all out.
"I'm especially looking forward to Jordan - which I won in the MERC last year - as I'll be able to test myself against the world's best drivers on a familiar terrain. Then we move to Sardinia and Greece, where better weather will hopefully help me maintain high speeds. It's going to be a fantastic season and I have to again express my gratitude to Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and in particular, His Highness Sheikh Sultan, for giving me this unbelievable opportunity," added Al Qassimi.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority's attention-grabbing 'Abu Dhabi Oasis' - a full-spec, two-storey, mobile hospitality unit for WRC media will travel to 11 of this year's WRC events.
"The 'Abu Dhabi Oasis' is a key tool in spreading awareness of the UAE capital in the WRC's European fixtures. This campaign on wheels will give the multi-national WRC community and millions of European rally fans a unique insight into Abu Dhabi's core values, and a chance to sample our renowned hospitality," said Ahmed Hussein.
- Ends -
For further information, please contact:
Euan Megson/ Sam Dulka
MCS/Action, PO Box 20970, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Tel: +9714 390 2960
Fax: +9714 390 8161
email: euan.m@actionprgroup.com sam.d@actionprgroup.com
© Press Release 2008
