Audi leads individual challenge, Mercedes clinches team relay at Munich DTM
Audi factory driver Mattias Ekström (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline) driving a Red Bull Audi A5 DTM, has won the single competition at the 2012 DTM show event in Munich.
Audi finishes with top honours in individual race.
Prior to the pit stop, Ekström had accidentally shifted into idle on the track that had become wet from rain, which almost cost him his victory. But in a spectacular final against Jamie Green in a Mercedes Benz adeptly handled the flooded track in the finale to make up a gap of nearly two seconds in the second of the two final heats within just three laps, ultimately finishing with a 1.476-second advantage. Two-time champion Gary Paffett of Mercedes followed third.
Mercedes finishes second and third in individual race and first in the team event.
Ralf Schumacher and Jamie Green both in Mercedes AMG C-Coupé won first DTM team relay competition. On August 19, the DTM will battle it out again at the Nürburgring where Mattias Ekström was victorious last year as well.
AED 900 million boost for Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche
Al Nabooda Automobiles, the sole distributor of Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen in Dubai and the Northern Emirates is expanding and enhancing its facilities with a AED 900 million investment programme.
Artist's impression of the world's largest Audi new car sales terminal on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai - to be completed in September at a cost of AED118.5million.
The investment covers ten individual projects across Dubai, Fujairah and Sharjah, including the largest Audi new car sales terminal in the world on Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai which will be completed in September at a cost of AED118.5million.
The AED85.5 million combined multi-brand facility in Fujairah to open before the end of the year.
In the words of Mr. K. Rajaram, CEO, Al Nabooda Automobiles: “This is a significant investment by the company in the future of the UAE.”
AED120 million facility in Sharjah showroom and workshop for Volkswagen Group brands
Rally sporting pioneer Sulayem honoured
“The fact that I stand here before you in Belfast demonstrates the great power of sport. How else would this UAE National be here today…” asked Mohammed Ben Sulayem while addressing the distinguished audience including the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Gavin Robinson and 500 new graduates, with who he received the honorary doctorate during the colourful graduation ceremony.
Stating what he is a living testimony to, Sulayem addressed the audience: “Sport keeps us together. It breaks through barriers."
Dr. Ben Sulayem, as he was reintroduced shortly after the ceremony, is the President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE and once had a record-breaking rally-driving career on the international stage, that turned him into no less than a sporting ambassador for the Arab world. He was the first Arab to be elected as a Vice President of the FIA, motor sport’s world governing body, and the first to become a member of the World Motor Sport Council.
Sulayem has been driving talks between the UAE and Northern Ireland to initiate a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management for Emirati students in a link-up between the Higher Colleges of Technology and Ulster University, one of the UK’s top learning institutes. Mohammed ben Sulayem is also widely respected for his contribution and involvement in various charitable activities.
