The Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) is taking a new step forward in Formula One Grand Prix safety in Abu Dhabi this weekend by partnering with one of the Middle East’s premier fire safety organizations.
The sporting organizers of the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix have teamed up with AssetCo Fire and Rescue to provide immediate fire protection on the race pitlanes – a move directed to avoid incidences such as this year’s Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, where a fire broke out in the pit garages post-race.
Consisting predominantly of Emiratis, one of the teams will be stationed in the main pitlane to provide fire coverage for the Formula One, while the other team is stationed in the support pitlane to provide support for the Australian V8 Supercar event, also taking place at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and Vice-President of the FIA, said: “Our focus on safety is always paramount when delivering any motorsport event, and we are delighted to welcome onboard the volunteer services of AssetCo for this year’s Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.
“Each year when we organise the Grand Prix, we look to improve in different areas, and having such a professional organisation onboard in 2012 will be a great step forward in our fire cover.”
A privately owned company contracted by the UAE government to provide specialist fire services at some of the UAE Armed Forces’ most important bases, AssetCo provide a totally outsourced service, responsible for the training and recruitment of all their staff, the purchasing of all their equipment, and the construction of all their fire stations.
Gareth White, Managing Director of AssetCo’s UAE division said: “We are all very excited at the prospect of working with the ATCUAE at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is a great opportunity for our team to teach volunteers about fire safety and provide the specialist skills required in motorsport.”
The AssetCo Fire Marshals joined 400 UAE Motorsport Marshals Club officials last weekend to deliver the inaugural Yas Motor Racing Club (YMRC) event. Doubling as a systems test for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, the event featured the opening rounds of the DAMC UAE Touring Car Championship and AUH Motorsports Radical Winter Cup Series.
