JEDDAH, 27 September 2005 — Saudi Arabia’s motor sport gets a tremendous boost with the announcement of Jeddah Raceway, described as the first and largest project of its kind in this part of the world.

“When completed by the first quarter of 2006, the project will enable the Kingdom to host some of the most spectacular motor sports events locally, regionally and internationally,” Prince Faisal ibn Saud ibn Abdulmohsen, chairman of the United Racing Company (URC), told a press conference at Jeddah Hilton on Saturday.

The raceway will be built in northeast Jeddah, off Madinah Road, on 250,000 sq m land and will consist of five broadly designated sections - an international standard quarter mile drag racing strip, a 1.2 km go-kart and autocross circuit, a skid pan area to test individual skills, a driving school for training race-drivers, and a landmark control tower.

“The passion for motor sports has been increasing by leaps and bounds among the youth and what we propose to do is to provide a response to fulfill their hopes and aspirations in various motor racing activities,” the prince said. “The main idea is to encourage Saudi youth help pursue their racing skills in a safer, controlled environment without jeopardizing road safety,” he added.

The prince said the SR30 million project is aimed at elevating the Kingdom’s reputation as a leading motor sport destination in the region and enhance Jeddah’s stature as one of the most modern cities of the Arab world.

The establishment of Jeddah Raceway was borne out of the keenness of the authorities to assist Saudi motor sport champions who have shown their excellence at regional and international levels. These include Prince Khalid ibn Sultan ibn Abdullah Al-Faisal, Abdullah Bakhashab and Mamdouh Khayyat. This city has been selected for the project due to its well-developed business and tourism infrastructure and high visitor traffic year-round, particularly during vacation seasons.

According to the prince some of those extending support are Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed, who is also the head of the High Commission for Development of the region and also of the Saudi Sports Development Committee, and Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal.

The project will take shape with the collaboration of Saudi Automobile & Touring Association (SATA), the FIA’s official representative in the Kingdom.

“Jeddah Raceway is being constructed to international standards to be able to host FIA accredited races,” URC Vice Chairman & Executive Director Mishael Al-Sulaiman, said.

Jeddah Raceway will be home to some of the best sporting actions through a regular calendar of racing activities. It will also enable sports enthusiasts to enjoy a ringside view of spectacular motor sports events.

“The project aims to attract motor sport loving enthusiasts, especially those youth who are looking for an appropriate venue to try and pursue their racing and speed skills, which they are currently trying improperly on the streets of our cities. “Such actions are ultimately endangering their lives and the lives of other innocent motorists,” URC Board Member and Director of Legal Affairs Faisal Ahmed Zaki Yamani said.

“Our priority is also to reduce the number of fatal accidents and unnecessary traffic, resulting from illegal street racing,” he said, hoping that with this project the youth will be able to develop their racing hobby in a professional manner.

The complex with 4,000-seat capacity will also include separate family sections, aside from amenities such as restaurants, car accessories shops, workshops, car inspection facilities and separate sections for contestants, management, sponsors and media.

Autocross, karting, skid pad, and drag racing are among the events that will be regularly organized at the new track.

Autocross is a sport where you drive around a course in the shortest possible time. The go-kart phenomenon began in the late 1950s as a fun and affordable form of motor sport with informal parking lot events rapidly growing into organized competition on purpose-built tracks. A kid pad is a closed course that calls for drivers to show their driving skills by controlling their cars in a specific area without losing control.

A drag race is held between two cars from a controlled set of lights over a measured quarter mile straight track with the first to the finish line declared the winner.