Emirati aims for prized place at FIA Institute

Emirati Mansour Al Helei is looking to take another important step in his motor sport career in Abu Dhabi next week when he competes for a place at next year’s FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy. The Automobile and Touring Club of the U.A.E. has selected Al Helei to represent the nation in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia regional qualifying event for the 2015 Academy. Fifteen young drivers from around the region will take part in the event, which is organised by the ATCUAE and takes place at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit from 28th September to 1st October. Al Helei is aiming to become the second Emirati to go through into the Academy after fellow Emirati Mohamed Al Mutawaa in 2012. "The FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy has proved to be very successful in developing the best young talent for careers at the top level of motor sport," said ATCUAE President and FIA Vice President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem. "Competition for the one place available in Abu Dhabi will be fierce, and regardless of who wins, each of the drivers taking part will gain a great deal of knowledge and experience to help them in their own careers." Among those also hoping to come out on top in Abu Dhabi will be Kuwait’s Ali Makhseed, Oman’s Anas Al Raeesi, Jordan’s Nabeeh Muammar, Lebanon’s Patrick Njeim and Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah El Khereiji. The other countries represented are Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Morocco, Sudan, Syria and Tunisia. The regional qualifying event will consist of a series of demanding tests on the track and in the classroom at Yas Marina Circuit, home of the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Open to nominated drivers aged 15-23, it is one of six regional qualifiers worldwide which will deliver ten drivers into the 2015 Academy programme. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/sports/1395269949197.html