Selecting National Candidates for the Academy Mahir Badri, ATCUAE UAE Motorsport Star Program

1. Selecting National Candidates for the Academy Mahir Badri, ATCUAE UAE Motorsport Star Program

2. Introduction to UAE Motorsport Star Program: • New project organised by the ATCUAE, in association the University of Ulster • To identify “spot” and develop talented young drivers in the UAE • Part of long term mission to have drivers competing in the worlds top motorsports championships.

3. Objectives of the Programme: • To promote UAE driving talent • To teach the skills required to be a successful athlete • To increase local knowledge about sports science • To develop a model for talent identification and training that can be used by all sports. • To develop a nominee for the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy

4. Eligibility Criteria: • Candidates for UAE Motorsport Star must be: • Between 16 to 25 years old • An ATCUAE national competition licence holder • Competing successfully in four wheel competition “at least on a national level” • Have ability in spoken and written English. • Testing Process: • Shortlist of candidates put through four major tests over two days, covering: • Media Testing • Physiological Testing • Psychological Testing • Panel Interview

5. Prize • The winner(s) of UAE Motorsport Star will be sent to the Ulster University in the UK • For one week long training course, designed to teach all the off-track skills required to be a successful driver • Including fitness, nutrition, career management, and media training. • And then a nomination to the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy

6. Testing Process: Media Testing • 1st half of the 1st day • Took place at National Media Channel • Headed by Sean O’Connor (ATCUAE)

7. Testing Process: Physiological Testing • 2nd half of the 1st day • Took place at The Higher College of Technology • Headed by Dr Gareth Davison (UU)

8. Testing Process: Psychological Testing • 1st Half of the 2nd day • Took place at National Media Channel • Headed by Dr TadhgMacIntyre (UU)

9. Testing Process: Interview Panel: • 2nd half of 2nd day • Took place in National Media Channel • Headed Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Khalid Al-Hussein (GAYSW)), Dr David Hassan (UU), Mahir Badri (ATCUAE)

10. The Winner(s): • Mohammed Al Dhaheri, a 24 year old - karter • AND • Mohammad Al Mutawaa, an 18 year old - circuit racer

11. The Prize: Intensive Training at the Ulster University: • Last week the drivers participated in six days of intensive training at the University of Uster “multi-million pound sports facilities”

12. Intensive Training at the Ulster University: • Focusing on key areas such as nutrition, fitness, mental preparation, career management and media handling.

13. Intensive Training at the Ulster University: • Led by the University’s highly experienced team of sports scientists

14. Intensive Training at the Ulster University: • The drivers are being accompanied by film crew from the National Media Channel.

15. Media Involvement & Coverage: • UAE Motorsport Star received great support from the National Media Channel • Reality Show theme • The Channel are producing two television shows covering: • 1st will focus on the testing and selection process held in Dubai during July • 2nd will show the winners’ training at the University. • They plan is to show two hours television shows on the programme in early October.

16. Outcomes: • Received excellent feedback form governmental bodies in the UAE who may apply the programme to a variety of sports • Helped promote the work of the ATCUAE in the development of local motorsport. • Helped raise the profile and credibility of motorsport in the UAE • Succeeded to bring different partners and stakeholders to work together to achieve same goal.