Abu Dhabi partners BP-Ford
The Emirate state of Abu Dhabi has joined forces with BP-Ford World Rally Team to bring a new look and a third official Focus RS World Rally Car to the team's FIA World Rally Championship campaign.
Khalid AlQassimi, with British co-driver Nicky Beech, will contest Neste Oil Rally Finland in August in the new livery, alongside Ford stars Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen.?
The duo will enter three other rounds this season - ADAC Rallye Deutschland, RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada and Rally Ireland - before taking part in 10 rounds in 2008 under the new BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team name.
The announcement was made at a packed press conference in Abu Dhabi this morning when representatives of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, together with BP-Ford team director Malcolm Wilson stressed their commitment to the future of motorsport.
With Ford currently leading both the drivers' and manufacturers' standings, the long-term agreement, announced by ADTA director general His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, will boost Abu Dhabi's profile worldwide.
AlQassimi won the FIA's Middle East regional championship in 2004 and leads the series this year.
"This is a great day for motorsport, for Abu Dhabi and for the United Arab Emirates," said ADTA chairman Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan. "This valued partnership for the current season sets us all on course for continued international awareness, and from 2008, the BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team will be seen competing across the globe."
Malcolm Wilson added: "This is great news for Ford's campaign in the WRC. The fact that ADTA was so keen to join forces with BP-Ford is a massive vote of confidence in our programme and our abilities and I share ADTA's excitement and confidence for the future."
"The partnership of Sheikh Khalid, Mikko and Marcus - who we hope will be 2007 WRC Champion - forms a powerful combination of diverse experience and raw potential which will prove invaluable as the BP-Ford World Rally Team reinforces its WRC credentials."
Abu Dhabi has an impressive portfolio of sporting events, which have raised international awareness of the Emirates' capital. It hosts the Red Bull Air Race, the Abu Dhabi Cycling Race of Champions, and the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and is set to host its first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2009.