In an important development aimed at further promoting motor sports in the region, United Racing Company (URC) announced the launch of Jeddah Raceway, the first and largest project of its kind in Saudi Arabia, enabling the Kingdom to host some of the spectacular motor sports action when completed in Q1 2006.
URC Chairman HRH Prince Faisal Bin Saud Bin AbdulMohsen said the establishment of the Jeddah Raceway was a natural response to promoting the increasing passion for motor sports among Saudi youth, adding that he hoped the project would also further encourage Saudi youth to pursue their racing skills in a safer, controlled environment, without jeopardizing road safety.
He also explained that the project will further elevate the Kingdom’s reputation as a leading motor sports destination in the region and enhance Jeddah’s stature as a modern Arab city.Prince Faisal pointed out that the setting up of the Jeddah Raceway was borne out of the keenness of the authorities to assist Saudi motor sport champions, who have showed their excellence on regional and international levels. These include HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdullah Al Faisal, Abdullah Bakhashab and Mamdouh Khayyat.
He added that Jeddah was selected for the project due to its highly developed business and tourism infrastructure and the high visitor traffic to the city year round, particularly during the Summer Festival. ‘The support of HRH Prince Abdul Maieed Bin Abdul Aziz, Governor of Makkah Region, Head of the High Commission for the Development of Makkah Region and the Head of the Saudi Sports Development Committee, and Jeddah Governor HRH Prince Mishaal Bin Majid has greatly motivated us to make this major project a reality,’ Prince Faisal pointed out.
URC Vice-Chairman and Executive Director, Mishael Bin AbdulMohsen Bin AbdulRahman Al-Sulaiman, stated that under the guidance and close collaboration of the Saudi Automobile and Touring Association (SATA), the official representatives of the FIA in the Kingdom, Jeddah Raceway is being constructed to international standards to be able to host FIA accredited races.
‘Jeddah Raceway will be home to some of the best sporting action through a regular calendar of racing activities. It will also enable sports enthusiasts to enjoy a ringside view of the spectacular motor sports experiences,’ he pointed out. He added, the raceway will be built in north Jeddah, east off Medina Road, on 250,000 square meters, and will consist of five broadly designated sections, namely an international standard quarter mile drag racing strip, a 1.2 Kilometer go-kart and autocross circuit, a skid pan area to test individual skills, a driving school for training race-drivers, and a landmark control tower.
The 4000 seating complex will also include separate family sections, besides important amenities such as restaurants, car accessories shops, workshops, car inspection facilities, and separate sections for contestants, management, sponsors and media personnel.
URC Board Member and Director of Legal Affairs, Faisal Ahmed Zaki Yamani stated that the Jeddah Raceway Project aims to provide the Saudi youth with the appropriate venue to pursue their enthusiasm for racing and speed, which is currently being done improperly on the streets of our cities, and ultimately endangers their lives and the lives of other innocent motorists.
‘Our priority is to reduce the number of fatal accidents and unnecessary traffic, resulting from Illegal Street racing, by providing the youth with a safe and enjoyable location to develop their racing hobby into a true profession.’ he added.
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