The POTENZA Performance Challenge 2012, the motoring event organized by Bridgestone Middle East & Africa, once again made its mark as an exciting and exhilarating day out for automotive fanatics and their families. Over 700 car lovers flocked to the Dubai Autodrome last Saturday to take part in a series of exciting activities designed to make even the most demanding of motor-heads happy.

“The event attracted hundreds of car enthusiasts who came along with their families to spend a great day out - it’s incredible how much passion for auto events there is here in the UAE,” commented Daisuke Hotta, General Manager, for Bridgestone Consumer Tyre Marketing. “The POTENZA Performance Challenge has now become a much-awaited annual appointment in the car-lovers calendar, and on the back of this year’s success, we are already discussing dates and details for 2013.”

Over 70 sport driving enthusiasts took part in the POTENZA Driving Challenge that ended up with British national, Paul Wyborn, on the podium. Paul raced his way into the 20 fastest drivers group in the first challenge, a Timed Autotest. In the second round, he demonstrated his excellent control skills in a Skid Car test. In the third and final round, Paul was pitted against two other finalists in an F3 single seater for the Time Attack challenge around the 2.46 km club circuit at the Dubai Autodrome. Taking the podium as the overall winner of the POTENZA Driving Challenge, a very happy Paul drove away in a brand new Renault Clio 2.0 RS 2012.

13 modified cars arrived at the Dubai Autodrome to participate into the POTENZA Parade. The modified BMW M3, owned by Ahmed Jamal, was the hot-pick among the gathered crowd scoring the highest number of visitor votes. Ahmed was rewarded with AED10,000 gift voucher redeemable against car accessories and services for his amazing motor.

The undisputed stars of the day were the Red Bull Athletes, Abdo Feghali and Julien Dupont. Visitors could sit next to Abdo, the rally driver nicknamed Middle East’s King of Drift, to live a co-pilot experience in his drift car fitted with Bridgestone POTENZA tyres. The world renowned motorbike stuntman, Julien Dupont, entertained the crowd performing a series of breathtaking stunts, jumps and wheelies.

Another of the special activity of the day were the POTENZA Driving Lessons (PDL), which Bridgestone held in partnership with Dubai Autodrome Drive School. The participants learnt insider secrets for the best techniques for handling, steering, emergency braking and cornering before having the chance to put them into practice driving a performance POTENZA tyre equipped Audi TT.

The event was organized by Bridgestone Middle East & Africa as part of its commitment to promote sound sports driving under safe conditions.

For more information on the next POTENZA Performance Challenge event visit the Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/PotenzaPerformanceChallenge

POTENZA tyres are available in all Bridgestone dealers across Middle East and Africa; information about distributor and contact details for your area are available on http://www.bridgestone-mea.com

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Nov 26, 2012