As the dust settles on another action-packed motorsport calendar at Yas Marina Circuit, the iconic track hosted close to a quarter of a million fans across a season that witnessed international, regional, and community competitions in the capital.

Following the successful Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November, which saw 170,000 fans from around the world flock to the racing capital, Yas Marina Circuit welcomed thousands more adrenaline seekers for unmissable on-track action featuring world-class drivers and up-and-coming local motorsport stars.

The season kicked off with the renowned endurance race, the Lenovo Gulf 12 Hours. Drivers including motorsport legend, Valentino Rossi, competed in the intense final round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge from dawn till dusk, with over a thousand fans enjoying the sheer skill, strategy, and determination on display during the race.

Yas Marina Circuit’s home team, Yas Heat Racing, continued its initiative of fostering young talent and demonstrated the teams’ capability against international competitors in the Formula 4 UAE championship with its stable of promising drivers, such as Keanu Al Azhari, Zack Scoular, and Yas Heat ambassador Rashid Al Dhaheri.

Building on the drive to support the growth of local racers, the Sodi World Series (SWS) held at YAS Kartzone every Friday gave karting enthusiasts the opportunity to test their skills and score SWS points.

YAS Kartzone was also selected as 1 of 5 circuits worldwide to host the SWS Regional Cup, giving the top 2 winners a chance to compete in the Sodi World Series International Final in Belgium.

Ali Al Beshr, Motorsport Development Executive Director at Yas Marina Circuit, commented: “This season has surpassed all expectations, with each event pushing the boundaries of racing and entertainment.

“Apart from providing a global stage to some of the best racing series in the world, we were able to highlight the progress we have made in nurturing local talent by providing them with the platform to showcase their skills."

Drawing its largest-ever crowds, a record number of fans attended the circuit’s much-loved local racing nights. The Castrol Edge presents Emirates Drift Championship Fueled by Monster Energy, UAE Rotax Max Challenge, and high-octane drag competitions Yas Super Street Challenge and Yas Roll Race Challenge brought over 30,000 spectators to Yas Island.

Continuing to spearhead the regional racing landscape, Yas Marina Circuit held several regional competitions including the return of the Formula Regional Middle East Championship and Clio Cup Middle East, as a part of the coveted Yas Racing Series.

The 2023/2024 season also continuously featured the crowd-favourite, Motor Majlis. A celebration of automotive craftsmanship that saw over 900 cars gather at Yas Marina Circuit, the special event welcomed an all-time high number of visitors, who immersed themselves in a world of motorsports, festivities, and all things automotive.

Yas Marina Circuit said it will be looking to build on this success and continue to push the limits of local, regional and international motorsport, providing fans with unparalleled experiences well into the future. – TradeArabia News Service