A shoutout to all those who aspire to make a mark in motorsport. The Toyota Gazoo Racing UAE Academy is back for season two. If you’re interested in participating, registrations for the programme are underway and will remain active until February 16, 2024. There’s also a cap of 2,100 applications. Once breached, the registration window will automatically close. Click here to register yourself.

Those participating in the Toyota Gazoo Racing UAE Academy 2024 season will be scrutinised on four fronts – physical prowess, media finesse, driving skills and mental acuity. Once registered, contestants will be auditioned on a first-come, first-served basis to check their suitability for the qualification stage. Comprising the testing regime will be kart racing and an interview.

The shortlisted 48 contestants will then head towards the qualifications and development stages. After further gruelling screenings, just four will progress to the final stage. The final winner will claim the Toyota Gazoo Racing Ambassador title for 2024 and get to drive a Toyota GR Supra for the year.

BMW Group, along with AGMC, its authorised importer of vehicles in Dubai, Sharjah, and the Northern Emirates, has partnered with Dubai Autodrome. According to the agreement, a BMW XM has been confirmed as the safety car for the 2024 racing season. The partnership will come into effect from the first event of the new season – the Hankook 24H Dubai race, scheduled for January 26-28.

The XM is a landmark model for BMW. It was created to mark BMW M’s 50th anniversary. Also, the XM became the first model solely developed by BMW’s M division after the M1 in the late 1970s.

After the first racing event mentioned above, Dubai Autodrome will host several more until April 2024. The list includes the Asia Le Mans Series, DSBK National Championship, Formula 4 UAE, Formula Regional Middle East, and NGK Spark Plugs Race Weekends.