Mohammed Ben Sulayem has told double Middle East title winner Mohammed Al-Sahlawi that hard work and dedication are key factors to help him build on a successful first year in rallying.

Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, was joined by Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, as he presented Al-Sahlawi with the 2WD and Junior trophies he won in the 2013 FIA Middle East Rally Championship while competing with Abu Dhabi Racing.

“Mohammed has made an excellent start to his rallying career and is a great example to other young Emirati drivers who want to find success in the motor sport arena,” said Sulayem, the FIA Vice President, who won a record 14 overall Middle East titles in his rallying career.

“But he must continue working hard, listen to those who have good experience to pass on,  absorb all the advice he gets, and remain dedicated in the years ahead. If he does that, and keeps his feet on the ground, he can go on to achieve a lot more.”

Sheikh Khalid bin Faisal Al Qassimi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Racing, said: “We are very proud of Mohammed Al-Sahlawi and his four teammates in the Abu Dhabi Racing-Citroën Middle East Trophy programme. 

“Mohammed showed great commitment, passion and dedication to the sport and to his team instructions in the Middle East Rally Championship last season.

“This season, we have added three new junior drivers to the programme, and we will keep on working and investing in local talent to achieve our goal of building a new generation of local race drivers.”

Al Tareq Al Ameri said: “We’re very happy to see a young Emirati driver achieving success, and capitalising on the opportunities created by the government’s investment in motor sport. We hope many others will follow his example.”
Al-Sahlawi entered last year’s FIA Middle East Rally Championship after winning a place in the Abu Dhabi Racing team during a three-day selection programme staged in conjunction with Citroen Racing at Yas Marina Circuit.
Prior to last season, his racing experience had been restricted to karting sessions at Yas Marina Circuit and Dubai Autodrome, auto cross and track days at the Autodrome, and desert driving in a truck he built himself.
Along with team-mate Mohamed Al Mutawaa, the 25-year-old also made his World Rally Championship debut with Abu Dhabi Racing last season in the WRC3 class.

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