Mark Hughes (motorsport) His appointment was made by the Secretary of State and was for three years. Mark left Bahrain in 2009 and was asked to help set up the new Middle East facility in Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit. Mark was a specialist consultant on the project and contributed significantly in getting the venue ready for the first race in November 2009. The Yas Marina Circuit set new standards for a motorsport venue and was the first circuit to host a day/night race. Yas Marina Circuit also won the presitigous FIA Formula One World Championship Race Promoters Trophy. The Abu Dhabi consultancy
Circuit of the Americas The circuit was the first in the United States to be purpose-built for Formula One. The layout was conceived by promoter Tavo Hellmund and 1993 Motorcycle World Champion Kevin Schwantz with the assistance of German architect and circuit designer Hermann Tilke, who has also designed the Sepang, Shanghai, Yas Marina, Istanbul, Bahrain, Yeongam, and Buddh circuits, as well as the reprofiling of the Hockenheimring and Fuji Speedway. The circuit has FIA Grade 1 license. In a news conference on July 27, 2010, Tavo Hellmund announced plans to build the track on about of undeveloped land in southeastern Travis County. The