DUBAI — Saudi Arabia's Abdullah Bamogaddam will compete against 15 other rising stars of motor sport in the UAE next week for the chance to earn recognition as one of the world's most talented young drivers. Bamogaddam represents the Saudi Arabian Motor Sports Federation in the four-day Middle East and Mediterranean qualifying event at Yas Marina Circuit - home of November's FI Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - for the revamped FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy. Hosted by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, it is one of five selection events being staged globally to deliver eight of the best young drivers into the Academy, with the ultimate aim to turn them into future world champions. The 19-year-old Bamogaddam, who inherited his love of motor sport from his father, was Saudi Formula 2000 champion last year after being a member of the winning team the previous year. He was also a member of the Saudi Formula BMW championship-winning team in 2010 at Reem International Circuit. Bamogaddam, who first entered karting in 2009, was runner up in this year's Saudi Karting Championship. “This is a great opportunity for all the drivers to display their driving talent on one of the world's best F1 circuits, and show they have other qualities needed to make it to the top in motor sport,” said Dr. Mohammed Bin Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE and FIA Vice President for Sport. Getting underway next Sunday at Yas Marina Circuit, the regional selection event will set a series of tests on the track, and in the classroom, for the 16 drivers who have been nominated by their respective national motor sport authorities. The program, using Abu Dhabi's Grand Prix facility, is being run by former F1 racer and double Le Mans winner, Alex Wurz, and 2001 World Rally Champion co-driver Robert Reid. On the final day, the group will be cut to the top six who will compete in a shoot-out on track. The winner will enter the full Academy program with winners from other selection events in Europe, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, along with three wild card selections. Other drivers taking part in Abu Dhabi include the UAE's Mansour Al-Helei, Kuwait's Zaid Ashkanani, Bahrain's Abdulla Althawadi, Oman's Mannan Al-Rawahi, Egypt's Ahmed Sherif and Syrian Yazan Hamadeh. — SG