logo
Dubai Autodrome to stage a packed motorsport season after historic landmark campaign

Dubai Autodrome to stage a packed motorsport season after historic landmark campaign

Zawya29-05-2025
Dubai: Dubai Autodrome General Manager Faisal Al Sahlawi has said the new 2025/26 motorsport season will be one of its busiest after reflecting on an 'incredible' milestone campaign that attracted a record-breaking attendance at 24H Dubai during its 20th anniversary celebrations.
Dubai Autodrome, a subsidiary of Union Properties, recently closed out its season after hosting more than 15 racing competitions over the last six months. Among the events that took place include the annual endurance motorsport competition, 24H Dubai, which saw more than 70 teams, including the largest GT3, as well as the fifth Asian Le Mans, Formula Regional Middle East Championship, Formula 4 Middle East Championship, Formula Woman Nations Cup and other several regional motorsport events.
Furthermore, the venue held more than 80 motorcycle and car track days, and 20 roll racing events for the local community.
The season was part of Dubai Autodrome's 20th anniversary, which was celebrated at the 24H Dubai, and Al Sahlawi believes the upcoming season which will start in October solidifies the venue as a leading destination for motorsport and entertainment in the region.
He said: 'We are very pleased with the recent motorsport season, which coincided with the 20-year celebrations of Dubai Autodrome. Overall, there was exciting and competitive racing on the track with bigger grids and an array of top international and regional drivers in action, while off the track, there was a record number of spectators for the 24H Dubai with more than 30,000 attendees for this flagship event. This shows that motorsport is growing in the UAE and is going from strength to strength, which bodes well for the future.'
He added: 'Planning is already underway for the new 2025/26 season, and it will be one of the busiest seasons at Dubai Autodrome, as we have the Gulf Historic back, where iconic 1960s cars and historic F1 cars from the 70s and 80s will all be on display, as well as top racing on the track. There will also be four international races, including the 24H Dubai, and an array of top regional and local motorsport competitions where we expect to have a greater number of participants during the course of the season.'
Off the track, Dubai Autodrome's motorsport season is also contributing to the country's economic growth. Al Sahlawi said: 'Overall, we had approximately more than 55,000 people be part of our motorsport events from race teams, drivers, and officials, and that saw airlines, hotels and hospitality services benefit greatly, especially with their families and friends also travelling.
'Not only are we pleased to be playing our part to support the UAE's growth beyond the motorsport races but is also a testament to the success of Union Properties' vision of enhancing Dubai Autodrome's position as a leading motorsport hub in the region.'
Media Contact:
Seven Media
Denzil Pinto
denzilpinto@sevenmedia.ae
About Dubai Autodrome
Completed in 2004, the 'Dubai Autodrome', a subsidiary of Union Properties, was the UAE's first fully-integrated multipurpose motorsport and entertainment facility. At the heart of the Union Properties MotorCity development, it includes an FIA-sanctioned 5.39km circuit with six different configurations, a race school, indoor and outdoor karting tracks, the Grandstand Retail Plaza, the Motorsport Business Park, and a paddock hospitality zone overlooking the track.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Titanium Escrow crosses $5 billion milestone amid rising regional deal activity
Titanium Escrow crosses $5 billion milestone amid rising regional deal activity

Khaleej Times

time12 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

Titanium Escrow crosses $5 billion milestone amid rising regional deal activity

Titanium Escrow, the Abu Dhabi-based provider of regulated escrow and custody services, has surpassed $5 billion in secured transactions, marking its fifth anniversary as demand grows across the Middle East for sophisticated corporate payment infrastructure for complex, cross-border deals. Since its launch in 2020, the firm has facilitated nearly 500 transactions spanning mergers and acquisitions, private capital, real estate, and infrastructure. Titanium Escrow operates under the supervision of the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) within Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) and was among the first participants in its RegLab innovation sandbox to develop the first supervised escrow licensing in the region. 'The continued increase in cross-border capital flows and multi-party transactions has made escrow services a core part of risk management across the deal lifecycle,' said Ibrahim Kamalmaz, Chief Executive Officer at Titanium Escrow. The announcement comes amid strong momentum in the region's deal landscape. According to EY, MENA M&A activity reached $101 billion across 754 deals in 2024, reflecting a 50 per cent yearon-year increase in deal value. Much of the activity was concentrated in the Gulf, where sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and private equity firms are playing a growing role in strategic acquisitions. In this context, Titanium Escrow has served as a neutral custodian for a number of notable transactions, including complex digital infrastructure projects such as Brookfield's acquisition of a majority stake in Oman Tower Company (OTC), advised by White & Case, Simmons & Simmons, and Dentons Oman. The deal reflects a growing preference for third-party fund custody escrow to ensure transparency and reduce execution risk in multi-jurisdictional settings. 'Escrow has historically been underutilised in the region, with parties electing to go to London or New York to hold funds. That is now changing as Abu Dhabi is becoming the fundholding jurisdiction of choice for regional matters' Kamalmaz said. In parallel, Titanium Escrow has also supported a series of high-value acquisitions in the education, healthcare and telecommunication infrastructure sectors in 2025, with total deal value exceeding Dh1 billion — further underscoring its role in enabling social infrastructure investment. Transactions spanned across sovereign wealth funds, public, and private entities from the UK, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and many other jurisdictions. Titanium Escrow's service lines include M&A and corporate escrow, fund custody for private and venture capital, real estate and project-focused escrow, and regulatory or litigation-related holding structures. Its client base spans investment firms, law practices, family offices, and regional corporates. The firm's progress has coincided with the rapid ascent of ADGM, which has emerged as one of the region's fastest-growing international financial centres. With a strong regulatory foundation, growing fintech ecosystem, and strategic positioning in the UAE capital, ADGM is increasingly seen as a hub for cross-border financial services. 'ADGM has played a vital role in supporting innovation while maintaining regulatory integrity,' Kamalmaz noted. 'Their early support was instrumental in getting us off the ground and building trust in this space.' Titanium Escrow continues to operate independently from its headquarters in ADGM, regulated by the FSRA, and expects to expand its capabilities in line with evolving market needs.

UAE: How some Gen Alpha kids are driving online shopping, household purchases
UAE: How some Gen Alpha kids are driving online shopping, household purchases

Khaleej Times

time12 minutes ago

  • Khaleej Times

UAE: How some Gen Alpha kids are driving online shopping, household purchases

They may not be the ones footing the bill, but Generation Alpha — children born from 2010 onwards — are playing a major role in household shopping decisions. A new report by global market research firm GWI (formerly GlobalWebIndex) shows just how influential these young digital natives have become. This report is powered by over 20,000 surveys completed by Gen Alpha kids aged 8-15. Majority of children aged 8 to 11 now actively influence — and often decide — what gets added to the shopping cart, from groceries to toys. Khaleej Times reached out to a few parents and experts to understand how this trend is playing out in the UAE. 'My seven-year-old daughter Tanzi basically takes over when I'm shopping online, especially on apps like Temu and Shein,' said Bhavya Rao, a Dubai-based mom. 'She's always peering over my shoulder, eager to see what I'm adding to the cart. She'd pick out items like craft kits, fun accessories, even light makeup or pretend nails. Before I know it, she's made her own little wishlist, full of handbags, hairbands, and whatever else she's spotted," she added. The influence extends far beyond kids' items. 'I never imagined my 9-year-old would influence so many of our household purchases," said Rania El-Masry, an Egyptian mother of two. "From cereal to my work shoes, she always gives her opinion. She follows online reviews, compares styles, and knows what's trending. If something's not 'cool' by her standards, she won't touch it — and neither will her brother. Even when I shop for myself, she's right there giving me fashion advice," Rania added. High exposure to digital content Meanwhile, mental health experts in the UAE echo the findings, saying this growing influence is largely from Gen Alpha's constant exposure to digital content and influencer culture. Carolyn Yaffe, a mental health expert at Medcare Camali Clinic, said, 'This influence is also noticed in their purchasing activities. The extent of social media knowledge that the Gen Alpha kids have are making them more aware of and susceptible to product recommendations." She also noted that children now trust online influencers more than friends or even family when it comes to product recommendations. Gen Alpha kids are constantly watching YouTube unboxing videos, TikTok reviews, and social media content that blends entertainment with subtle marketing. These are shaping their preferences — and making them co-decision-makers when parents shop. 'Brands are adapting their strategies to engage with Gen Alpha, by focusing on their digital platforms, influencer marketing, and creating immersive, interactive experiences that resonate with the values and preferences of Gen Alpha kids," Yaffe added. Yaffe noted that these marketing strategies come in the form of gamified experiences, personalisation, and influencer-driven campaigns. Authenticity and sustainability are also key themes that resonate with these young consumers. Girish Hemnani, life coach and energy healer based in Dubai explained that children are being raised in homes where their preferences are not only heard but respected. 'Thanks to digital media and influencer culture, kids are no longer passive observers. Even though Gen Alpha isn't spending money directly, brands are marketing to them as if they do because in many households, they're the emotional decision-makers. That's why they're not just selling products anymore — they're creating worlds Gen Alpha can emotionally plug into," Girish said. 'You'll see it everywhere: YouTube videos that feel like playdates, product packaging that looks like art projects, and language that's all about fun, freedom, and imagination. Stores are even setting things up at a child's eye level, while websites and games speak their digital language fluently. It's no longer about convincing the parent — it's about inspiring the child. Because when a kid feels seen, excited, and involved, they don't just ask for something... they make it feel like a part of their identity. And that's powerful," he added.

From UAE to Norway, Dubai Ice Cream takes the world by storm
From UAE to Norway, Dubai Ice Cream takes the world by storm

Gulf Today

time31 minutes ago

  • Gulf Today

From UAE to Norway, Dubai Ice Cream takes the world by storm

The UAE is fast becoming a global leader in food and beverage innovation, and Dubai Ice Cream is at the forefront of this exciting development. The delicious treat has already spread to many parts of the world, even reaching the far-flung reaches of Norway, close to the North Pole. Get ready for the ultimate chocolate indulgence with Dubai Chocolate Ice Cream. This incredible dessert is inspired by the decadent Dubai Chocolate, featuring rich chocolate ice cream enveloped in a luscious layer of chocolate. And that's not all – it's often filled with the irresistible kunafa sauce or pistachios, making it a true chocolate lover's paradise. Henning-Olsen Ice Company is now distributing Dubai Ice Cream in Norway. It is the oldest ice cream producer in the Nordic region. For over 90 years it has been delighting people across the region by producing high-quality ice cream based on secret recipes. The company produces an incredible 30 million liters of ice cream and frozen desserts every year, which is an amazing 50% of the Norwegian ice cream market. Global Position The BBC highlighted Dubai Chocolate's rapid rise to global fame, transforming from a local invention into a sought-after product. The BBC article described Dubai Chocolate as a global phenomenon that has captured the hearts of millions and spread around the world like wildfire, breaking records.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store