The HSBC Racing Academy held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council announced today at the Dubai Autodrome the names of the three final selected drivers following an intensive selection process of four phases. The selected drivers are: Mohammed Al Abdooli, Khaled Al Mutawaa and Thani Al Falasi.

HSBC and Dubai Autodrome have joined forces to find and groom UAE's next generation of young racing drivers. The selected 3 drivers of the HSBC Racing Academy will go through an advanced motor racing training program at Dubai Autodrome and three scholarship places at La Filliere Racing School in France with a full season of racing competition at the Formula Campus Championship.

Niall Booker, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, HSBC Bank Middle East Limited said: "The HSBC Racing Academy has proved to be very exciting and successful initiative at its inaugural year. With the announcement of the three drivers today, we are one step closer to the goal of one day producing a UAE national driver good enough to compete at the Formula One Level. I wish Mohammed, Khaled and Thani the best of luck in what will be a very exciting year for them and look forward to monitoring their progress in France throughout 2007."

"We are proud to have entered into a long term partnership with HSBC as we aim to support those who want to further their motor sport passion. We will definitely be able to achieve this with the directions of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan and the partnership with HSBC," said Saeed Khalfan Chairman of the Dubai Autodrome.

From the 1st -21st October 2006, the HSBC Racing Academy conducted a challenging three-week selection where all applicants were assessed against the clock at the Kartdrome. The 60 fastest lap times progressed to phase 2 which commenced on Saturday October 28. The selected drivers underwent a full day of practical training using the Audi A3.

Phase 3 took place on Saturday November 4, and the 30 selected drivers were taught the basics of driving a manual car using the Subaru Impreza WRX STi and the GTS sports car. Only the best 10 drivers were selected to progress to phase 4 on November 6. These were given instructions on all the basic skills needed to successfully drive a single-seater racing car and were assessed with their abilities.

"I did not expect to be selected among the three finalists as the level of competition was very high. I would like to thank H.H Sheikh Hamdan and HSBC Racing Academy for offering this exceptional chance in giving young UAE nationals the opportunity of training and competing on an international level.

"We monitored the drivers during each day, our selection criteria did not focus solely on the quickest drivers but the ones who showed the most potential during the day. The three drivers that we have selected showed that they are keen to learn with a good basis in motor sport." Said James Burnett, Head of Instructors at Dubai Autodrome.

The post selection phase will include racing workshops that will help the drivers get more familiar with professional motor racing such as driving training, fitness, nutrition, marketing, public relations and communications and a range of other subjects. The drivers will also gain competition experience in the Formula Renault Campus Championship series which includes racing on different circuits including Grand Prix and street circuits.

The HSBC Racing Academy is the only dedicated motor sport programme of its type in the region. It was run for the first time last year and proved hugely beneficial to the young drivers who participated. The Academy will continue to monitor and mentor graduates for the upcoming years.