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LONDON - Abu Dhabi has set its sights on hosting a round of the world rally championship after announcing a partnership with champions Ford on Monday.
"Our long-term ambition is to see Abu Dhabi host a WRC event," said Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, chairman of the Abu Dhabi tourism authority in a statement.
Abu Dhabi is already due to host a Formula One Grand Prix from 2009.
The United Arab Emirates capital will partner the works BP Ford team as sponsors for the remainder of this season before they are renamed in 2008 as BP-Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team.
UAE driver Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi, partnered by British co-driver Nicky Beech, will race for the team in a third car in four of the remaining eight rounds of the championship, starting with next month's Rally Finland.
The two are currently leading the Middle East championship.
Finland's Mikko Hirvonen and world championship leader and compatriot Marcus Gronholm are the team's other two drivers.
"The partnership of Sheikh Khalid, Mikko and Marcus - who we hope will be 2007 WRC Champion - forms a powerful combination of diverse experience and raw potential which will prove invaluable," said team boss Malcolm Wilson.
- REUTERS
