Qatar Fuel Additives Company Limited 'QAFAC' - petrochemical producers in Qatar, specialising in the production and export of methanol and methyl tertiary butyl ether 'MTBE' from its high-tech facility in Mesaieed - has announced an exciting new driver sponsorship package ahead of this season's Qatar National Rally.

QAFAC, as part of its commitment to the Qatari community through a programme of Corporate Social Responsibility 'CSR' and to encourage sporting activities among locals of all ages, is to sponsor Qatari rally driver Abdullah Al-Kuwari for the upcoming Qatar National Rally for season 2012-2013.

This sponsorship takes the form of a financial contribution to Abdullah Al-Kuwari's team. In return, QAFAC's logo will adorn the rally car, the driving uniforms, and also the overalls of the team members working in the 'pit lane'.

The Qatar National Rally takes place over a total of six rounds later this year and into 2013. The dates of the first two stages have been confirmed as taking place on November 10 and December 15, with the remainder of the dates for next year still to be finalised.

However, the Qatar International Rally, as well as being a 'stand alone' event, also forms a round of the National Rally calendar, and this takes place over the weekend of January 11 and 12, 2013.

Mr Abdullah Al-Kuwari first participated in the Qatar National Rally in 2001, winning the event in 2002, 2004. In 2002 he came a very creditable third in the pan-regional Middle East Rally Championship and in 2009 won the 'Race of Champions' event.

The extent of QAFAC's sponsorship of the driver is a visionary one. As well as providing funds for the driver to participate in the event - with motor racing a notoriously expensive pursuit - Mr Abdullah Al-Kuwari's car will also be partly fuelled by methanol, supplied by QAFAC of course. QAFAC's headline products are better for the environment than conventional fuels.

Both MTBE and the methanol in Abdullah's tank are clean burning fuels that reduce the tail gas pollution generated by a combustion engine. QAFAC's environmentally sound production methods and products have seen it honored as the first industrial operation to obtain the Environmental Permit from the Qatari Government after submitting a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment Report.

Mr Nasser Jeham Al Kuwari, the General Manager of QAFAC, said, "The sponsorship of Abdullah Al-Kuwari makes sense to us on a number of levels. Firstly, we think it's imperative to support local sportsmen and women as part of our companies CSR programme which is making a real contribution to Qatari society."

"Secondly, Abdullah Al-Kuwari's car will carry the QAFAC logo on the outside, and we will be making a contribution under the bonnet as well, as the car will be partly fuelled by methanol, one of QAFAC's headline products, and one that is far more environmentally friendly than regular motor fuel. Overall, the sponsorship package represents a good vehicle for QAFAC's products, expertise and commitment to Qatari sports. We sincerely hope that we can help power Abdullah to victory," he added.

Mr Abdullah Al-Kuwari said, "I would like to thank QAFAC for the faith it has shown in me by agreeing to sponsor my participation in the Qatar National Rally series for 2012-2013. I'm very excited about the upcoming event and I think it will be especially interesting to see how the car performs with a mix of methanol and regular petrol in the tank. Because of its 'cleaner burning' properties, methanol is becoming increasingly popular as a motor racing fuel and it's great to have my sponsor helping propel me towards, hopefully, first place! Hopefully the new ingredient will give me an edge over my fellow competitors."

"I'll certainly be doing my best for myself, my team, my sponsors and the people of Qatar. I'm hugely grateful for QAFAC's sponsorship and support, and I will be going all out for victory," he added.