5  October 2009
Motorsport News from Sakhir – Bahrain International Circuit
Champion Mohammed Al Owais to fly UAE flag in his Supercars debut in Abu Dhabi

UAE racer Mohammed Al Owais reaffirmed today that he is fully prepared for the upcoming season in the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Challenge, which launches in support of the Etihad Airways Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix between 30 October and 1 November. Al Owais is one of several new faces in the regional championship, and he carries with him ambitious hopes of emerging among the season’s best three drivers.

Al Owais expressed his happiness in participating in the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Challenge. He has been preparing himself for the rigors of the championship with an intensive physical training programme while also getting himself mentally ready.

The UAE driver acknowledged that this season will be amongst the toughest he has ever raced in, as he is set to go against such experienced competitors like defending champion Fahad Al Musalam of Bahrain, former champion Tarek Elgammal of Australia, and other top contenders like Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Abdul Aziz Al Yaeesh and Prince Khalid Al Faisal.

Al Owais is looking forward to driving at the different race tracks in the championship. After the first round at Yas Marina Circuit, the season heads also to Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir and Reem International Circuit in Riyadh. Al Owais said that this will help add to the expertise of the drivers, as they gain valuable experience at venues across the Gulf.

Al Owais is one of the leading figures in UAE motorsport. At the age of 26, he runs a private company, Lap57, that has been named after the number of laps of the Gulf Air Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix. He is a huge follower of motor racing and has been competing now at different levels for many years.
It is worth mentioning that the new season of the Chevrolet Supercars Middle East Challenge will run over seven rounds.

Following round one in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain will stage round two on December 10 and 11. The third round then takes place at Reem International Circuit on January 6 and 7 next year, followed by round four back at Yas Marina Circuit on February 5 and 6. The championship will remain in Abu Dhabi for the fifth round on February 19 and 20, which will be part of the Australian V8 Supercars Championship’s season opener. It will then return to Bahrain International Circuit for the sixth and penultimate round on the sidelines of the Gulf Air Formula One Bahrain Grand Prix from March 12 to 14, which is the start of the 2010 Formula One World Championship.
The seventh and final round will then take place back at Reem International Circuit on March 31 and April 1.

The championship will be the third edition of the Chevrolet-backed series, and several changes will be implemented for the first time. Among them are the two different categories for competitors, including the SC09 class and the SC06, and the rolling start to flag off a race.