Barry Hope with his award at the CAR Middle East awards
Dubai, Dec 15th 2010 – In recognition of their efforts to develop the grassroots racing scene in the Middle East, GulfSport seized the Motorsport Achievement of the Year award at CAR Middle East’s Car of the Year awards last week.
Barry Hope, the company’s director of racing, received the award at the Middle East motor industry’s premier annual awards ceremony. The award came in recognition of GulfSport’s contribution to local motorsport over the last 12 month.
The Car Of The Year awards are decided by a panel of five industry experts headed by Shahzad Sheikh, editorial director of Car Middle East magazine. GulfSport beat off a number of brand-name competitors to seal its recognition in this category.
The award comes as a result of GulfSport’s extreme activity during 2010 in the UAE and across the GCC, having recently launched the FG1000 single seater race programme, which starts in January with the aim of finding the first Arab F1 driver of the future.
Formula Gulf developed by GulfSport
GulfSport beat well established competitors in the field of motorsport because, according to the judges, it embraced the potential of local motorsport and had faith in its potential.
As the initial stepping stone to single seat racing, the programme will give young drivers the necessary skills they need before entering the tough world of European or Asian racing series.
“I was not expecting this award because I deal with the less glamorous side of racing – we usually deal with ‘gentlemen drivers’ and young drivers who are beginning their careers and work hard to make sure they always have a strong footing as they progress their careers,” said Hope.
“But when I heard that we had won my first thought went to my team-mates who have worked tirelessly to provide our drivers with everything they could possibly need to enjoy their racing. I also think this award provides great encouragement for all the young drivers, and their parents who will put their faith in GulfSport as they pursue their dreams. In fact, I dedicate this award to all the lovers of motorsport who are single minded in making their dreams – and our dreams for them – come true.”
GulfSport run two factory Maserati GranTurismo MC cars for the GT1 World Champions in the UAE GT Championship as well as two high spec Ginetta G50 racecars, which are currently fighting for top position in the highly competitive series.
Gulfsport Maserati GranTurismo followed by a Gulfsport Ginetta G50 running in the UAE GT Championship
After announcing the award, Sheikh said: “Barry Hope is one of the most ardent and long-serving proponents of motor racing in the gulf. Few have pushed as hard against the odds time and time again to make it possible for people in the region to go motor racing.”
An emotional Hope said after the award, his first after many years championing grassroots motorsport across the region, “I am so proud of GulfSport and all the drivers we have supported over the years. It is because of the racing community and supporters like CAR Middle East magazine which has a real love of cars, that we have finally achieved this recognition. I am humbled by this award. I hope that it can take drivers in the Middle East closer to achieving greatness after putting in so much hard work.”
The whole team at www.CircuitProdigital.com would like to congratulate Barry and his team at GulfSport, after his 30 odd years of dedication to Motorsports in the region its very well deserved Barry…and a long time coming and we are all so proud..
