Stunning maiden win earns Ogier Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award

A virtuoso display of speed, courage and determination earned Sebastian
Ogier double honours at last weekend’s Rally de Portugal.

The Citroen driver’s stunning maiden World Rally Championship (WRC)
victory on the Algarve after just two years in the top tier of rallying
was followed up with the prestigious Abu Dhabi Spirit of the Rally Award
to complete a remarkable weekend for the Frenchman.

The ‘Spirit of the Rally’ award, created by Abu Dhabi Tourism
Authority (ADTA), is presented at each WRC round to mark an outstanding
feat of leadership, integrity, respect or teamwork. Ogier’s
impressive transition through rally’s grass roots levels to the
very pinnacle of the sport and now a debut WRC win, was judged to have
demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and natural skill.

“This has been a perfect weekend. It was a big surprise and we did
something special to get this award from ADTA too,” commented
Ogier. “Our first victory against six times World Champion
Sebastian Loeb is unexpected, but I am now confident for the rest of the
Championship and look forward to the next rally.”

Ogier’s Junior World Rally Championship (J-WRC) win in his debut
season in that class earned him his first Spirit of the Rally Award in
2008. It is an achievement that will be keenly watched by Abu
Dhabi’s Junior drivers as they build on their experience in the
formative Fiesta SportTrophy International competition.

“Grass roots programmes are essential to the long-term growth and
development of any sport, and Ogier’s impressive WRC win has
demonstrated this to great effect,” said Ahmed Hussein, Deputy
Director General, ADTA.

-source: adta