After long seasons building international prestige on land and sea, two of the UAE capital’s leading motor-sport outfits have their sights set on respective championship victories this weekend.

As Abu Dhabi prepares to host the 2008 UIM Powerboats World Championship’s penultimate round, F1 Team Abu Dhabi’s Emirati driver, Ahmed Al Hameli, is fighting for third in the drivers’ championship, while lead driver, Thani Al Qamzi, could snatch the Pole Position Championship.

Meanwhile, BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team takes its pursuit of a third consecutive manufacturers’ title to Wales Rally GB - the final round of the 15-event FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) – where the UAE’s Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi is rounding off his first full WRC season.

The four-wheeled squad needs to overturn an 11-point deficit in Wales, with team drivers Mikko Hirvonen and Jari-Matti Latvala requiring nothing less than a one-two finish if they are to leapfrog rivals Citroen.

“Our Abu Dhabi-branded teams have battled in 20 countries across five continents this year,” said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy Director General Tourism Operations of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, the body behind both initiatives. “The eyes of Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the international motorsport world are on these trail-blazing Emiratis. They are flying the emirate’s flag with honour and proving a tremendous role model for their compatriot youth.”

Al Hameli - 2007 UIM Rookie of the Year - lies fourth in the overall drivers’ championship, just seven points adrift of third. Having clinched the fastest lap in Thursday’s free practice, with an average speed of 154.91kph, the 29-year-old was upbeat about his chances.

“I’m feeling good and today showed that. Knowing that I am representing my home country is an honour. To be racing in front of my friends, family and countrymen is something I relish. I will go out there and do my best and hopefully clinch my first victory of the season,” said Al Hameli.

Swapping waves for wheels, BP-Ford Abu Dhabi’s Al Qassimi ends his first full WRC season after contesting nine events in ten months with the UAE capital backed outfit.

In a year to remember, Al Qassimi has so far this season earned a top ten finish in Rally Jordan, and been dubbed ‘King of the Jumps’ - following record-setting leaps in Sweden and Finland.

“I wish Thani and Ahmed the best of luck this weekend – hopefully they can win at home,” he said.

“ I think this is going to be a very difficult end to the season for everyone. The team is focussed on gaining enough points to win the manufacturers’ title but it isn’t going to be easy. The stages are treacherous and every corner is potentially your last.

“When the world champion, Sebastien Loeb, rolls his car on the recce run, you know it is going to be a long, hard weekend,” he added.

The penultimate round of the UIM F1 Powerboats World Championship finishes on Saturday afternoon with 22 of the world’s best battling it out on Abu Dhabi’s Corniche. The Wales Rally GB climaxes on Sunday at 3pm GMT.

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