At an official opening ceremony, Mohammed ben Sulayem, a 14-time FIA Middle East Rally champion, president of the Automobile and Touring Club of the United Arab Emirates and FIA Vice President Sport, was given the honour of completing the first laps of the track at wheel of the GRX Taneco RX2 car.

World RX drivers Oliver Bennett of Xite Racing was joined by GRX Taneco trio Niclas Gronholm, of Finland, Russia’s Timur Timerzyanov and Reinis Nitiss, of Latvia, to provide passenger rides for local media and VIPs.

The purpose-built 1.2 kilometre rallycross circuit comprises 63 per cent asphalt and 37 per cent gravel, a series of wide tarmac areas, tight turns including a hairpin and a daunting jump section.

Briton Bennett, who had a taste of the circuit today in his World RX Ford Fiesta Supercar, said: “It’s brilliant to bring World Rallycross to such a spectacular venue as Yas Marina and to the people of UAE.

“The track is awesome. It has a lot to offer with big, wide tarmac turns which is going to be great for overtaking. It is going to be a tough track to race but it’s going to be fun to watch.

“We’ve done a lot of work on the car, I’m feeling really comfortable with it and I hope to be pushing for some high places during the championship this year.”

Yas Marina Circuit will be transformed into a three-day festival featuring an Adrenaline Zone, food trucks and international artists performing at an after-race concert.

Speaking at the official opening, Paul Bellamy, Senior Vice President of IMG Motorsports, the FIA World Rallycross Championship promoter, said: “We are delighted to be bring the FIA World Rallycross Championship to motorsport fans in the UAE for the very first time. I can think of no better venue to showcase our sport than the stunning Yas Marina Circuit.

“Here at Yas Marina Circuit for the opening round of the 2019
championship next month, there will be a mixture of world-class rallycross and music artists, a non-stop programme of racing and interactivity, along with fabulous food.

“This festival model mirrors our highly-successful SpeedMachine weekend we first introduced at Silverstone for the British round of the championship in 2018. Just like Silverstone, we are sure this fusion of motorsport and entertainment at Yas Marina Circuit will be a must-visit event next month and in the years ahead.”

Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO of Yas Marina Circuit, added: “Yas Marina Circuit is always innovating when it comes to hosting thrilling motorsport races that attract fans and entertainment seekers to Abu Dhabi and FIA World Rallycross Championship is the latest in our portfolio of world-class events.

“Our new track and weekend-long itinerary of some of the wildest racing the Middle East has ever seen promises to deliver something unique to the circuit.”

“With something for every member of the family, the weekend promises to be another must-do weekend packed with a host of on and off-track entertainment.”