The Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, busily preparing for a double World Cup date in cross country rallying, is stepping up its efforts to ensure that safety remains a top priority in grassroots motor sport.

The ATCUAE, official representative in the Emirates of the FIA, motor sport’s world governing body, wants to work more closely with the UAE’s national event organisers to fine-tune safety standards across the board.

As part of a move to reinforce its working relationship with clubs, the ATCUAE is waving the permit fees that are normally payable to the national motor sport authority for the registering of individual events.

Permits are issued to the event hosts after they submit detailed safety and medical plans, which are vetted by the ATCUAE.

These include national circuit racing and karting events at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit and Dubai Autodrome, and rounds of the UAE Rally and Autocross Championships staged by the Sharjah-based Emirates Motorsport Club.

Fees are also being waived for events staged by the Emirates Motor Sports Federation, Dubai Motocross Club, and RAK Track.

"They are all playing their part in creating a bright future for motor sport in the UAE and we want to do everything we can to support and encourage them," said ATCUAE President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

"They each share our commitment to make sure that safety for competitors, spectators, marshals and all other volunteers and participants remains the number one priority, and as the national motor sport authority, we want to work ever closer with them to see that this happens."

Earlier this month, FIA Technical Delegate for Cross Country Rallies, Lionel Carre, visited the UAE to work alongside the ATCUAE in helping competitors prepare for the country’s two World Cup events, with a key emphasis on safety.

Accompanied by Sulayem, who is also President of Emirates Motor Sports Federation, Carre visited a number of workshops and briefed competitors and mechanics, with a special emphasis on ensuring that buggies are correctly built and upgraded to FIA standards to compete in the inaugural Dubai International Baja.

Taking place in the Al Qudra Desert from 9th - 11th March under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the event is the second round of this year’s FIA World Cup for Cross Country Rallies for cars and buggies and the opening round of the FIM Baja World Cup for bikes and quads.

Based at the Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa, it will be followed from 1st - 7th April by the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge, part of the FIA World Cup series and the FIM Cross Country Rallies World Championship.

WAM/Moran

[Photo caption: Fees will be waived for events like rounds of the the UAE National Rally Championship staged by the Emirates Motorsport Club.]