Middle East

How auto racing is taking Saudi Arabia by storm

Wed, 2018-07-11 23:11

RIYADH: Everyone chooses how to live their life. You can live it normally without making any difference in the world, or you can carve your name in the mind of those you can inspire. That is the mantra of Saudi racing champion Falah Al-Jarba.

The man dubbed the “Camaro king” is glad that every year the drifting industry gets thousands of youths out on the streets and on the track to practice their passion.

Al-Jarba started racing on the professional circuits in 2012.

“After I found myself there on the race track I knew I needed to continue my hobby at that time, but I needed sponsors to evolve, so I took from the profession and gave back to it to continue my passion,” the Camaro king said.

“At first there were a lot of headaches explaining what we do. We assumed that all the support and funding would just come to us naturally,” said Al-Jarba.

He and his racing team had the potential to at least offer air time, for which sponsors would pay hefty sums of money.

Al-Jarba said: “At first, we started by renting space — as a billboard. We went to big companies, which was so inspiring.

The first sponsors were international brands with local dealers in the Saudi Arabia or Dubai.” Al-Jarba started introducing himself to companies, and he was required to have a trade register to sign contracts with them for sponsorship.

“After many successes, I started my team,” Al-Jarba said.

His team is now considered the most successful in the Kingdom in all races.

Many brands were attracted to give his team offers, which enabled its to choose the ones for sponsorship.

Al-Jarba told Arab News an obstacle that he considered a challenge during his early racing days was when his helmet fell off in the middle of the race, and he was therefore excluded from the competition.

His exclusion was a challenge to him because he had to repeat the race lap to succeed. The cheers he received from the crowd gave him the encouragement to win.

Al-Jarba and his team have at least 50 successful tournaments and titles under their belt to date. In Riyadh, they were responsible for organizing the largest race in the Middle East.

He is also the ambassador of the Chevrolet brand in the Middle East, and ambassador for Bridgestone in the Kingdom.

Al-Jarba obtained sponsorship from many American companies that have no agent in the Saudi market.

“I carry the message about the Alzheimers Association and I talk about it at every championship. I have made many visits to the King Fahd Pediatric Society.

“A number of followers help spread messages of charity and awareness,” Al-Jarba concluded.

Main category: Saudi ArabiaTags: Saudi Arabiamotosports Riyadh to host Formula E opening race in DecemberSaudi Arabia horse racing has a bright future, says departing top trainer

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