Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”) – the 50/50 joint venture company being formed by Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi and Investment Corporation of Dubai through the integration of their respective interests in the aluminium industry – and Abu Dhabi Racing Company announced today the participation of Circuit Racing and Endurance Star, the Emirati Khaled Al Qubaisi, in the full season of the upcoming World Endurance Championship (“FIA WEC”). Details of this major sport event, which is highly regarded both nationally and internationally, unfolded during a press conference held at Yas Marina Circuit Media Center in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei (designate CEO of UAE Operations at EGA), the Emirati Champion Khaled Al Qubaisi, and Christian Ried, “Proton Competition” Team owner, amongst a number of news reporters and representatives.
Vibes of excitement filled the air when Khaled Al Qubaisi uttered his sentiment of pride and joy for representing the United Arab Emirates in one of the world’s most noted Championships, saying: “It’s no secret, I feel extremely pleased and anxious to take on this endeavor in the first round of this championship which kicks off in less than a month with the 6hrs of Silverstone. I feel proud to have been fortunate enough to represent my beloved country in this world renowned endurance race championship; I extend my sincere thanks to Emirates Global Aluminium for its generous support that travels the full length of my WEC 2014 season with the inveterate “Proton Competition” team, on board one of the cars I hold dear to my heart, the new Porsche 911 GT3 in LMGTE AM class”.
Khaled Al Qubaisi has a permanent place in the motor racing record books as the first Emirati driver to be part of a team achieving outright victory in the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai. Al Qubaisi achieved his breakthrough win at Dubai Autodrome in January 2012, and went on to score a repeat victory in the event with Team Abu Dhabi by Black Falcon last year.
Al Qubaisi has established himself as one of the UAE’s leading racing drivers since entering the sport in 2009, starting by contesting the UAE GT series, and progressing to the Porsche Carrera Cup, the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East, and the Mobil 1 Supercup in which he made 25 starts up to 2012. He scored his breakthrough victory in the Porsche GT3 Cup series on home territory at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit in the 2010-11 season.
Al Qubaisi, who is Managing Director of Abu Dhabi Racing, achieved his top-20 target on his competitive debut in the Nurburgring 24 Hours in May 2013 when he linked up with Britain’s Vimal Mehta and Germans Daniel Keilwitz and Christian Bracke in the Black Falcon No.2 car to finish 19th. A month later he became the first Emirati driver to compete in the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Al Qubaisi’s record-setting performances continued at Yas Marina Circuit in December 2013 with Team Abu Dhabi by Black Falcon where he became the first Emirati to taste victory in the Gulf 12 Hours, and the first to start from pole position in the race.
Al Qubaisi Added: “What we are about here is a significant world championship that attracts millions of fans and followers around the world, which originally started as a series of sporadic races later grouped in 2012 by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (“ACO”). Not to be taken lightly, this championship requires serious training and undivided focus to help me develop my performance and tolerance to reach that level of competitiveness this major shift in my sport career requires”.
Explaining the involvement of EGA, Saeed Al Mazrooei said, “As a soon-to-be global champion in the aluminium industry, EGA is proud to be associated with and promote the talent of Emirati champions, such as Khaled Al Qubaisi. Our sponsorship of Khaled Al Qubaisi in 2014 World Endurance Championship season will serve to raise awareness of the new EGA brand in international circles, and will help position EGA as a fast-paced, dynamic company that has its sights set on building a legacy of excellence for the UAE and the world.”
“I am very happy that this project came true and look forward to it, now that it starts soon. Along with Khaled Al Qubaisi, Klaus Bachler and myself, the new Porsche 911 GT3 and our partners, I am confident that we will achieve good results,” Proton Competition – team owner, Christian Ried said. “For the team this is the third season in the FIA WEC, a championship that has expand due to the use of ACO and FIA to the most important sports car championship – with motorsport at the highest level you can have – great attraction for fans and participants.”
The World Endurance Championship is somewhat considered a new championship title that falls under the umbrella of the (FIA), with this year’s 2014 season marking the 3rd championship installment over 8 stages, namely: 6hrs of Silverstone (United Kingdom – 20 April), 6hrs of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium – 3 May), 24hrs of Le Mans (France 14-15 June), 6hrs of the Americas Circuit (Austin, Tx. USA – 20 September), 6hrs of Fuji (Japan – 12 October), 6hrs of Shanghai (China – 2 November), 6hrs of Bahrain (Kingdom of Bahrain – 15 November), and wraps up with the finale at 6hrs of Sao Paolo in Brazil on 30 November.