Dubai, Oct 3rd, 2013 – As GulfSport Racing’s junior single seater championship FORMULA GULF 1000 enters its third season in the UAE, it is all change this year as the entry list is dominated by young Arab drivers (with the exception of a fast Welshman).
“This season we have young Arab nationals from Saudi, Kuwait, Lebanon and the UAE. Two of our competitors are very successful 15 year old kart racers taking their first steps into Formula racing” said GulfSport’s Martin Hope. “It’s recognised that success at the highest levels of motor racing requires that a driver gains experience at the youngest age possible using relevant equipment, on safe circuits and crucially with an experienced professional driver coach” he explained. “This is exactly what we have here”.
Returning from last season is the Yas Marina Circuit sponsored driver Saeed Bintouq (car No.2). Saeed had a victory and numerous podiums last season so is going into this season as one of the favourites!
International kart racer Tom Bale (car No.15) was very impressive in pre-season training. After 2 days in the Formula Gulf 1000 car (FG11) he was showing his race experience by putting in some impressive times on old tyres.
Ameer Hassan (car No. 21) from Lebanon, has also been karting hard and successfully in the last few years in the UAE and Europe. He also spent time in the FG11 over the summer and his consistent pace showed through very quickly.
Traveling from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to compete are Saud Al Saud (car No.30), Abdullah El Khereiji (car No. 28) and Abdullah Kabbani (car No. 77). Al Saud and Kabbani both competed at the front of the field in the Reem Formula BMW series, so bring valuable single seater experience with them. El Khereiji has been karting for many years which became evident with great pace and car control skills at the summer training.
Flying the flag for Kuwait is Adnan Bahrami (car No. 67). Bahrami has spent the last 5 years testing and racing different Formula cars in the region and hopes to put this experience into good practice in Formula Gulf 1000.
New faces of FG1000 2013-2014
Drivers will take part in an official two-day pre-season test on Yas Marina’s F1 Grand Prix Circuit on the 17th and 18th of October. After that they will be competing in the first two of fourteen rounds at the Dubai Autodrome on 22nd November. In total they will compete in 14 x 50km races, 7 qualifying practise, and 24 test sessions – which is the equivalent of racing from Dubai to Cyprus!
In line with the emergence of this professionally run race series, GULF OIL has been announced as the Technical Partner to Formula Gulf 1000. Their signature light blue and orange logo, made famous by sponsorship of famous race teams will be prominent on all the Ralph Firman built 150bhp ‘slicks and wings’ racing cars. Gulf Oil are also providing the new Formula Gulf 1000 Champion with a VIP Guest ticket to the 2014 Le Mans 24 Hour with Aston Martin Racing.
Formula Gulf 1000 is sanctioned by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE in accordance with provisions of the International Sporting Code of the FIA and represents the first level of the career ladder to professional racing after karting.
