Hertz UAE is backing Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Emirates Automobile and Touring Club, in his drive to create a new era for motor sport and motoring tourism in the region. The alliance formed last year between the car rental company and the EATC has now been extended for a second year as the organisation prepares to begin extended operations from permanent new headquarters in Dubai.

As official car rental supplier to the Club, Hertz UAE is providing a fleet of vehicles for year-round use by the organisation. The company offers a full range of car rental and leasing services from 13 car rental branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.

Part of the Al Futtaim Group, Hertz UAE is also supporting initiatives such as a campaign to counter the sale of unofficial international driving permits and “trip tickets”, which are designed to simplify customs formalities for motoring tourists.

Sulayem wants to reinforce links between motoring organisations across the Middle East so that they work more closely to boost regional motor sport and provide more assistance for motoring tourists.

The EATC, which is the official representative in the Emirates of the FIA, motorsport’s world governing body, and its motor cycle equivalent, the FIM, will move into a new Dubai HQ following the Club’s flagship event, the UAE Desert Challenge (28th October – 2nd November).

Sulayem and Hertz UAE General Manager Bob Farrow are now exploring ways to develop their partnership for the benefit of motoring tourists. “Mohammed has transformed the Club in the last 18 months, making it the leading organisation of its kind in the Middle East in motorsport and motoring tourism,” said Farrow.

“He has wide-ranging plans to develop services for motoring tourists and travellers, and to shape the future of motor sport here, and we want to work closely with Mohammed and his team to support these initiatives on a long-term basis.”

Sulayem said: “We’re happy to have the support of Hertz in the UAE and we look forward to developing this working partnership in the years ahead. Hertz has a huge international network of car rental operations so there’s scope for us to work together in many areas.”

Earlier this year Sulayem became the first UAE motor sport figure to make an official visit to Iran, holding talks aimed at reinforcing links between the two countries in motor sport and tourism. The trip was personally supported by Max Moseley, President of the FIA, which is dedicated to encouraging the development of international travel and tourism.

The new EATC HQ has been built on a 30,000 sq ft plot in the city’s Al Mumzar area which was allocated by H.H.Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who is the EATC’s patron.