MANAMA, Bahrain -- When he took the job of team manager for Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, 40-year-old Ameer Akhtarzadeh knew he would be working on an International drag racing team, coordinating across continents, cultures and multiple time zones. But, as his responsibilities have increased as the scope of the Sheikh's plans for the B1 Racing team expanded, Ameer has had to cling to his personal motto: "Nothing is impossible" - and his determination is evident in the quick success of the Bahrain-based team.
Ameer not only coordinates travel and racing schedules for the three B1 drivers - Houston, Texas-based Josh Hernandez, and Bahrain-based Ali Aryan and Khalid Mohammed - he also manages the same for the continually growing and often changing team of crew chiefs, team members, engine builders and support staff. He also sources parts and services across International lines, all while keeping up with his "day job" or running the growing interests of VP Racing Fuels in Bahrain.
According to Ameer, however, the details are not the most challenging part of his life.
"For me, the most difficult part of coordinating a team with members from different countries and continents is making sure that everybody gets along and works together. I have to constantly encourage everyone to focus on our united goal - to win as a team.
"Fortunately, because of studying in the US and the UK and travelling around the world, I believe I have a character where I can create an atmosphere for all nationalities to get together and be able to work together. For example, before a race weekend, I arrange a team dinner where we're all at the same table. It's a time when we can connect, laugh, plan and coordinate: a time to build the relationships that are so important to our success.
"You could say I'm an international ambassador of cooperation," he said.
And in today's world of unrest, protest, and uncertainty, his role has become imminently more important. While US news sources have attempted to cover the situations in the Middle East, the American perspective hardly fits into the culture and climate of the Bahrain. According to Ameer, the situation is different than what we can understand in the US perspective.
"The reality about Bahrain is that it's a small community. Everybody knows each other, so it's a very friendly country where everybody wants to help one another. You can walk out in the streets any time of the day or night and you'll feel safe. Personally, I'm just being patient for things to return to calm, because just like the rest of Bahrainis, we love our country and we know deep down inside that the government will do their very best to sort out the problems.
"I've know Sheikh Abdulla for a very long time and have a very close and personal relationship before working with the team. His vision of B1 Racing is to compete throughout the Middle East and the United States, educating youngsters about the excitement and opportunities of motorsports, and foster new teams and Pro Mod drivers around the world. He wants to increase the international exposure of Pro Mods to the point where it is the largest and most popular motorsport in the Middle East after Formula One.
"I'm confident we can make his dreams reality by being organized and completely dedicated to that goal, and that's something I can deliver," he said with enthusiasm. "I thrive on challenge and being pushed to my limits, and this job definitely does that."
B1 drivers competed successfully in the first series of the season, with two drivers making the Arabian Drag Racing League's playoff "Battle for the Belts" in Qatar. According to Ameer, current plans for U.S. competition include fielding an entry in the American ADRL driven by Josh Hernandez. The team is also planning the possibility of Ali Aryan racing a newly finished Tommy Mauney Pro Extreme car in several events alongside Khalid Mohammed.
"Of course, the international situation will dictate our racing to a degree, but we are definitely committed to running Josh's car in the ADRL, and hope to announce very soon when we will be adding the other two cars to the U.S. team," he said.
Until then, Ameer is focused on equipping the operation with everything needed to win, and trying to manage the international B1 Racing team to success.
Ameer not only coordinates travel and racing schedules for the three B1 drivers - Houston, Texas-based Josh Hernandez, and Bahrain-based Ali Aryan and Khalid Mohammed - he also manages the same for the continually growing and often changing team of crew chiefs, team members, engine builders and support staff. He also sources parts and services across International lines, all while keeping up with his "day job" or running the growing interests of VP Racing Fuels in Bahrain.
According to Ameer, however, the details are not the most challenging part of his life.
"For me, the most difficult part of coordinating a team with members from different countries and continents is making sure that everybody gets along and works together. I have to constantly encourage everyone to focus on our united goal - to win as a team.
"Fortunately, because of studying in the US and the UK and travelling around the world, I believe I have a character where I can create an atmosphere for all nationalities to get together and be able to work together. For example, before a race weekend, I arrange a team dinner where we're all at the same table. It's a time when we can connect, laugh, plan and coordinate: a time to build the relationships that are so important to our success.
"You could say I'm an international ambassador of cooperation," he said.
And in today's world of unrest, protest, and uncertainty, his role has become imminently more important. While US news sources have attempted to cover the situations in the Middle East, the American perspective hardly fits into the culture and climate of the Bahrain. According to Ameer, the situation is different than what we can understand in the US perspective.
"The reality about Bahrain is that it's a small community. Everybody knows each other, so it's a very friendly country where everybody wants to help one another. You can walk out in the streets any time of the day or night and you'll feel safe. Personally, I'm just being patient for things to return to calm, because just like the rest of Bahrainis, we love our country and we know deep down inside that the government will do their very best to sort out the problems.
"I've know Sheikh Abdulla for a very long time and have a very close and personal relationship before working with the team. His vision of B1 Racing is to compete throughout the Middle East and the United States, educating youngsters about the excitement and opportunities of motorsports, and foster new teams and Pro Mod drivers around the world. He wants to increase the international exposure of Pro Mods to the point where it is the largest and most popular motorsport in the Middle East after Formula One.
"I'm confident we can make his dreams reality by being organized and completely dedicated to that goal, and that's something I can deliver," he said with enthusiasm. "I thrive on challenge and being pushed to my limits, and this job definitely does that."
B1 drivers competed successfully in the first series of the season, with two drivers making the Arabian Drag Racing League's playoff "Battle for the Belts" in Qatar. According to Ameer, current plans for U.S. competition include fielding an entry in the American ADRL driven by Josh Hernandez. The team is also planning the possibility of Ali Aryan racing a newly finished Tommy Mauney Pro Extreme car in several events alongside Khalid Mohammed.
"Of course, the international situation will dictate our racing to a degree, but we are definitely committed to running Josh's car in the ADRL, and hope to announce very soon when we will be adding the other two cars to the U.S. team," he said.
Until then, Ameer is focused on equipping the operation with everything needed to win, and trying to manage the international B1 Racing team to success.
