Weaam Abdou wins a new Volkswagen Scirocco
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 11 December, 2011:Hussam Al Ansary and Tarik Al Bahnini take second and third places respectively in an action packed weekend competition.
Thousands of spectators made their way to Dubai Autodrome over the weekend to watch one of the UAE’s biggest amateur motorsport competitions, The Potenza Performance Challenge 2011, presented by Bridgestone Middle East and Africa. Held on December 9th and 10th, 150 amateur drivers against each other in two days of driving challenges for a Grand Prize of a grand new Volkswagen Scirocco.
Weaam Abdou won the Potenza Performance Challenge by coming top in three different driving challenges over the two days driving three different types of sports car, culminating in a Time Attack challenge on Saturday afternoon. Hussam Al Ansary took second place in the competition, with Tarik Al Bahnini coming third.
On Day one, 150 pre-registered sports driving enthusiasts were given the chance to demonstrate speed, precision, and skill by competing against the clock in performance vehicles running on Bridgestone Potenza high performance tires in an ‘Autocross Course Challenge’.
Only 54 advanced to compete in the ‘Target Braking Challenge’ on Saturday morning by stopping a high performance car in a limited braking zone from speed.
Finally, the top 10 timings made it to the final ‘Time Attack Challenge’ round on Saturday afternoon where they exhibited speed and control in a single timed lap around the Autodrome’s 2.64 Km Club Circuit while driving F3-style single seat track cars. “Participating in the Potenza Performance Challenge was a great experience that allowed me to push my limits while competing with other talented drivers, particularly in the final challenge,” stated Abdou, winner of the Potenza Performance 2011. “I feel great about winning and I would like to thank Bridgestone and the Potenza Performance team for their efforts in putting together such a great event. I will definitely be preparing myself to participate again in the future.”
The event also offered visitors a range of entertainment and attractions including an auto expo with the hottest accessories and cars from the UAE tuner scene, a drift driving show, stunt bike show, a gaming competition on the new Forza Motorsport 4 from XBOX, as well as plenty of games and attractions for children.
In addition to the main driving challenges, driving experiences such as the Potenza Driving Lessons (PDL), conducted throughout both days of the event under the direction of international racing champion and former F1 driver, Stefano Modena, were awarded to a select few winners in public competitions. Organizers of the Potenza Performance Challenge also teamed up with AUH Motorsport, a UAE – based motorsport company, to offer the public a chance to experience what it feels like to ride in a real racing car on a closed circuit. Using its twin-seat Radical SR3 Supersport race cars, AUH Motorsports gave passengers an experience of a lifetime as they were hurled around a short circuit at maximum speed by professional race car drivers.
The event was the first of its kind in the UAE and was created with the intention of promoting driving safety awareness in the UAE by encouraging the public to participate in precision sports driving challenges in a controlled environment. “Hosting the Potenza Performance Challenge to bring together car and bike lovers as well as families from all over the country to enjoy a celebration of motoring was certainly a wonderful experience. Event goers got to witness on-track action, had plenty of chances to win prizes, and had the opportunity to participate in a number of great activities,” said Sherif El Gamrawi, Managing Director of Frogs, the event organizer. “We look forward to seeing this event grow in the coming years.”
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