The worldwide search for the 'Run To Yas' travel writer launched by Yas Marina Circuit and Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) is over. Following an online search that drew entries from over 100 people from countries as far away as Australia and Guatemala, 28-year-old Geordie Barrie from London, England was awarded the coveted assignment.  

As the Run to Yas Travel Writer, Barrie will ride shotgun in Yas Marina Circuit's own Mercedes Benz SLS AMG on the Run To Yas -- a five-day luxury road adventure for supercar owners and enthusiasts which started on 29 October in Muscat, Oman and will finish on Yas Island on 2 November, the eve of the 2013 FORMULA 1® ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX. 

"I feel very fortunate to be the one selected as the Run To Yas Travel Writer," said Barrie.  "It's a dream opportunity to be driving in supercars over mountains and across deserts over a number of days before gaining behind-the-scenes insight of one of the best Grand Prix on the calendar. Best of all, I'll be able to share the experience and the images with everyone as we go!" 

Chris Welch, co-founder of the 'Run To' road adventure series and the driver behind the wheel of the Yas Marina Circuit SLS AMG - one of up to 30 supercars in the event- said that Barrie will be in for an experience to remember: "This year will be both the first time we take the 'Run To' event outside of the UK and Monaco to Abu Dhabi, and the first time that we select and invite a travel writer along for the ride," said Welch. "Thanks to the support of Yas Marina Circuit and TCA Abu Dhabi, we are thrilled to welcome Geordie on what promises to be a truly one of a kind adventure." 

Barrie will join the expedition, worth over £28,600 (170,000 AED) as they cross desert landscapes en route to a spectacular Yas Marina Circuit finish in time for what is expected to be the biggest and most inclusive FORMULA 1® ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX to date.  

Throughout the journey, Barrie will file daily 'life on the road' reports online on Yas Marina Circuit's facebook and twitter communities, sharing photos and stories on the motorcade and its motorists, which this year will include two veteran F1® drivers. 

"As we prepare for the FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX, we are also preparing to welcome The Run to Yas for the very first time," said Ahmed Al Kaabi, Head of Government Affairs at Yas Marina Circuit.  "It will be truly exciting to see Geordie's journey through his daily reports and we are delighted to welcome him to Abu Dhabi and Yas Marina Circuit."   

HE Jasem Al Darmaki, Deputy Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi said there is local widespread anticipation of Geordie's daily reports.

"We are really looking forward to reading his posts and getting his perspective on Arabia's landscape and culture. We are confident that along the route he will discover the hospitality the region is now renowned for and we'll certainly ensure that he, and the other Run To Yas members, experience it at its fullest on their arrival in Abu Dhabi," he said.  

Barrie was chosen as the The Run to Yas Travel Writer after entering the competition on Yas Marina Circuit's official Facebook page and answering the call to describe the best trip he'd ever been on.  Barrie's post detailed a trip to Lake Titicaca, Bolivia where he met the local Uros Tribe.  The post, which was accompanied by a stunning photo of the Uros Tribe's village on a floating island, was chosen by a panel of judges based on its quality and uniqueness.

"As a freelance professional photographer I've had the opportunity to travel all over the world, experiencing all kinds of places, people and cultures, and depicting them in my own way through the images I take," added Barrie. "There aren't many places I haven't been but Yas Island in Abu Dhabi is one of them, and I can't wait to see some of the iconic architecture at Yas Marina Circuit itself."

-Ends-

For more information please contact:
Results PR
Helen Batte/Jasmin Othman/Felicity Thompson
Telephone: +44 (0)203 440 8924
Email: TeamAbuDhabi@resultspr.co.uk
 
About Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority
Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction which enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike. 

The authority manages the emirate's tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment. Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, Zayed National Museum and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

The authority supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate's heritage. A key authority role is to create synergy in the destination's development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base.