Few young racers in Saudi Arabia may know about the British stock car racing circuit of the 1980s—but these damp, blustery events from four decades past kindled a love for motor sports in an individual who is now striving to increase enthusiasm for racing in the Middle East region.

Growing up, Ryan Trutch watched various types of motor racing alongside his dad, becoming particularly captivated by drivers like Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna, and Alain Prost. After his family moved to Dubai, he pursued competing in multiple series himself.

Currently, after serving on the UAE national motorsports development committee and working as the commercial director at the Dubai Autodrome, Trutch has taken on the role of CEO and founder of Pole Position. This consultancy and event management company focuses on boosting grassroots involvement in motorsport.

"It has expanded dramatically—we started with just a handful of dedicated drivers competing on improvised circuits, but now we're organizing top-tier races such as F1, Formula E, Extreme E, and Dakar, which attract huge crowds," Trutch explains to Sport.bangjo.co.idBusiness when discussing the transformation of motorsports in the area since he arrived in the 1990s.

Furthermore, significant investments have been made in motorsports facilities, with the aim of nurturing a local talent for Formula 1 from this area. Nonetheless, consistency in foundational training remains lacking.

I recall a press release stating that the UAE aimed to have an F1 driver within five years—a commendable objective, yet impractical. Cultivating such skill usually requires over a decade, even with the proper infrastructure.

“The main challenge is sustainability. Most grassroots initiatives are tied to major events, and when those events move on, little remains. Tracks aren’t running enough year-round programmes, and even the venues themselves need better commercial models to make the most of their infrastructure.

We lack the century-old motorsports tradition found in Europe. Back in the '80s, affluent enthusiasts fueled an active rallying community in our region. Two decades ago, Emiratis such as Khaled Al Qubaisi ventured into circuit racing. Today, it’s wonderful to witness his daughters competing in the F1 Academy.

Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport

Photo courtesy of: Jordan McKean - Motorsport Images

Three years ago, Pole Position was established in Saudi Arabia with the aim of bringing simulator racing to the area, serving as a stepping stone towards traditional motorsports.

Trutch acknowledges that significant work remains to be done and points out the primary reason behind the decrease in the number of drivers.

There is significant potential, particularly considering the developments in Saudi Arabia; however, the divide between enthusiasm and advancement stays considerable," he clarifies. "The area boasts many enthusiastic young talents, yet a clear-cut pathway for their growth has not been established.

Karting has a robust presence in the UAE, with accessible series such as Formula 4 and the Renault Clio Cup being quite budget-friendly. However, many of those involved are foreigners who frequently depart for higher education in the United States or Europe. This is typically when participation tends to decline; these individuals stay away from the local racing circuit for about four to five years, potentially not coming back.

I think establishing an engineering university in this area is essential—a institution similar to Cranfield in the UK—to ensure local talents remain anchored in the region.

The culture is changing. Children are engaging in simulated races before they ever step into a real car. The enthusiasm is present—it simply requires guidance, which is where enterprises such as my own play a role.

Trutch believes that drivers from the Gulf area will soon begin securing spots in competitions worldwide as the regional talent pool keeps expanding.

"Growth in Saudi Arabia is occurring due to governmental backing, the varied landscape, and an active young demographic," he notes.

The rate of progress is astounding – consider the significant events they have organized and what’s ahead with Qiddiya. However, it can be quite challenging for businesses to operate here.

Drivers such as Edward Jones emerged from karting programs that I assisted with. The Qubaisi sisters are also emerging talents. An increasing number of locally trained athletes are now competing internationally.

These remain individual instances. However, with coordination among federations, ministries, sponsors, and developmental platforms, we will witness more representatives from the Gulf participating in international championship events.

Our newest project is introducing the Sim Racing World Championship, which adheres to the FIA’s updated Esports guidelines. This event will encompass various categories, featuring worldwide online qualifying rounds followed by a significant finale held in an attractive tourist location.

“However, unlike other esports events, our focus isn’t on large prize purses. Instead, we aim to provide opportunities for underprivileged talents globally to break into professional motorsports. Stay tuned!”