Check out F1’s newest circuit; Yas Marina Circuit. Designed as an Arabian version of Monaco, the twenty-one corner track twists through manmade Yas Island, off the Abu Dhabi coast, and passes by the marina and then through the Yas Marina Hotel. Yas Marina is the second Formula One track in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain.

One of the features of this new circuit is the incorporation of spectacular drag strip right smack in the middle of the track. Shaikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice-chairman of Etihad Airways, officially opened Yas Marina’s Circuit’s world-class drag racing centre earlier this week. Just the fact that The Sheikh was present alone signifies just how import the facility is to the sport of drag racing in the region. Additionally, the NHRA has officially recognized the Yas Drag Racing Centre as the first track outside the US as an NHRA worldwide racing network. The first event, the Yas Drag Racing Festival, will take place from March 19 to March 20. The “invitation only” Drag Racing Festival will also feature the region’s top drag race teams competing with over 100 race cars and motorcycles in a variety of race categories.