Saudi Speedway: Grassroots Motorsports Urgently Needed for Top-Tier Success

Not many aspiring race drivers from Saudi Arabia will be aware of the 1980s British stock car scene – but those wet, windy days of 40 years ago inspired a passion in motorsport for one man now looking to boost interest in the Middle East.

Ryan Trutch grew up watching all forms of motorsport with his father and was hooked on Nigel Mansell, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost before going on to compete in several different series himself after his family relocated to Dubai.

Now, having previously served on the UAE national motorsports development committee and worked as commercial director of the Dubai Autodrome, Trutch is the CEO and founder of Pole Position, a consultancy and events business with aims of driving up grassroots commitments to motorsport.

“It’s grown exponentially - we've gone from a few passionate racers driving on makeshift tracks to hosting world-class events like F1, Formula E, Extreme E, and Dakar, drawing large audiences,” Trutch tells InfoterkiniBusiness when asked how motorsport has changed in the region since his arrival in the 1990s.

“More importantly, there’s now serious investment in motorsport infrastructure and an aspiration to produce a driver from the region for F1. However, there’s a lack of continuity when it comes to grassroots development.

“I remember a press release once stated that the UAE wanted a driver in F1 within five years — a noble goal, but unrealistic. Developing that kind of talent typically takes a decade or more with the right structure in place.

“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 don’t have the 100-year motorsport legacy of Europe. In the 1980s here, wealthy enthusiasts supported a thriving rally scene. Twenty years ago, Emiratis like Khaled Al Qubaisi entered circuit racing. Now, his daughters are in F1 Academy, which is great to see.”

Amna Al Qubaisi, MP Motorsport

Image 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 and has pinpointed the primary reason behind the decline in the number of drivers.

There is significant potential, particularly considering the developments in Saudi Arabia; however, the divide between enthusiasm and advancement remains substantial," he clarifies. "The area boasts many enthusiastic young talents, yet there isn’t yet a well-defined pathway for their growth.

Karting has a robust presence in the UAE, with options such as Formula 4 and the Renault Clio Cup being quite accessible financially. However, many of those involved are typically expatriates who frequently depart for higher education in the United States or Europe. This is when participation tends to decline—they remain disconnected from the local racing circuit for about four to five years, potentially not coming back.

I think we should establish an engineering university in this area—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 learn how to drive. The enthusiasm is present—it simply requires guidance, and this is where enterprises such as my own step in.

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

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

The rate of progress is astounding – consider the significant events they have organized and what lies ahead with Qiddiya. However, conducting business here isn’t without its challenges.

Drivers such as Edward Jones emerged from karting programs that I assisted with. The Qubaisi sisters are also emerging talents. An increasing number of homegrown athletes are now participating in international competitions.

“These are still isolated cases. But with alignment between federations, ministries, sponsors, and development platforms, we’ll see more names from the Gulf reaching global championships.

“Our latest initiative is launching the Sim Racing World Championship, aligned with the FIA’s new Esports regulations. It will span multiple disciplines, with global online qualifiers and a major final hosted in a tourism destination.

“But, unlike other Esports events, we’re not chasing big prize money. We’re creating a path for underprivileged talent worldwide to earn a shot in real-world motorsports. Watch this space!”