He said it is a great opportunity for Egypt that the CIK-FIA had given Ghibli Raceway the homologation of the track and the chance to host one of the most international and popular motor-sport championship in the world (Rotax MAX Challenge) and for the world to see how charming Sharm El Shiekh is.
He added that he admired the fact that the track is surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Sinai as well as the Red Sea from the other side. He ended that he would like to come again to Ghibli Raceway with the family on his holidays. According to the Forbes magazine the highest paid athlete in the world, is Michael Schumacher, the German-born race-car driver whose name is a household word all over the world. A six-time world champion of the Formula 1, Schumacher, aged 33, drives for the Italian Scuderia Ferrari. In a sport known for its danger, speed, and glamour and followed by 300 million fans worldwide, Schumacher is well on his way to making $1 billion. His hat alone makes him a millionaire – thats what he is paid to wear a hat in front of TV Cameras. Bernie Ecclestone, the CEO of Formula 1 racing Formula 1 cars, which are designed a bit like jet airplanes, around the track at speeds of more than 200 miles per hour. If you would go for a maximum speed, you would probably go beyond 500 if you wanted. Schumacher says. The curves on a course slow him down, but ironically its the curves that are the key to his success. I have this natural ability of knowing how fast I can go into this corner, without going out too often. Its an instinct. he says. At these speeds, even his instincts can fail, as happened 4 years ago at the British Grand Prix. You see the wall coming. You know the speed you do he recalls, and you think, Oh, thats gonna hurt. And – initially, I didnt even notice – that I had a broken leg. I initially felt actually only my knees. Because my knees were squeezed against the steering wheel, and as I wanted to go out, it doesnt sound maybe funny to you, who listen, obviously, I was trying to pull out my legs. But my legs were blocked. After that crash, he thought about quitting, Schumacher says, but the winter before he got behind the wheel again, I lured by the beauty – and challenge – of high – speed racing.
This season, Schumacher beat Juan Manuel Fangios five championships, by taking his sixth, with an average margin of 18 seconds – an eternity in car racing. Ferraris 2003 technology – and commitment – is overwhelming. The car maker employs more than 550 people to work exclusively on the two cars that Schumacher and his team mate, Rubins Varrichello, drive each season. Estimates of what Ferrari spends to field its two cars range from $170 to $280 million a year. In other racing leagues, such as NASCAR and the Indy racing league, owners rarely spend more than $15 million dollars per car, per season. On the other hand, Ferrari doesnt spend a dime on advertising. Italian-born Andretti says the Ferrari mystique – and the Schumacher success – is all the advertising it needs. Schumacher already has 30 years of racing experience. He started racing go-karts in Germany at the age of 4. He was the youngest member and driver at the kart club. When he was five, his father Rolf built him the cheapest go-kart ever built, made from second hand equipment which others had discarded. He was probably still using this kart when he won the club championship for the first time at the age of six. He showed ability in several subjects, including mathematics and English, as well as sports such as Judo and Soccer. When Micheal was eleven, he had the choice between taking part in a go-kart race or a Judo competition. Choosing the later, he came third and immediately realized he had made the wrong choice. However, racing was only a hobby. After completing his schooling, Michael took up an apprenticeship as a mechanic at a local garage, as it helped him to understand better how car worked. In 1988, with sponsorship help from Jurgen Dilk, Michael took his first step from karting into single streets, that being Formula K?nig. He won nine of ten rounds, finishing second in the other to become the clear champion at seasons end. In 1989, Michael moved up to German Formula Three, driving for WTS. Despite finishing fourteenth in the final round, Karl won the championship, beating Michael and Heinz-Harald by an agonizing one point.
At 21, Schumacher got his first big payday – a $30,000 bonus in the Formula One minor leagues. The first thing, when I got the money. Schumacher recalls, I knew I would support somebody. And the person I supported was my family, because we were really in debt with the money. And so I gave my father this suitcase full of money, and he couldnt believe it… that was something very special. At the track, his dedication and focus are legendary. He exercises four hours a day, mostly on the muscles in his neck to fight the incredible G-forces he faces every race. After the workouts, hes back on the test track for hours more to prepare for those two hours on Sunday. Schumacher insists its the thrill – not the danger of speed that keeps him in racing. Nobody of us wants to die. He says. I mean, everybody wants to live. We dont do it for the thrill of the danger. We do it for the thrill of speed sensation, being with the limit. But not really wanting to go off and have an accident. Michael Schumacher already owns almost every significant record. His next milestone could be a record-tying seventh World Championship. Still he is not satisfied. You win a race, the next race its a question mark. He says. Are you still the best or not? Thats what is funny, but thats what is interesting, and thats what is challenging. You have to prove yourself every time. Finally, Ghibli Raceway looks forward to welcoming Michael Schumacher and the family in January 2004 for the Rotax Max Challenge World Finals as spectators so hurry up and dont miss him !!!
Michael Schumacher History
• 1984 German Junior Championship, 1st
• 1985 German Junior Kart Championship, 1st Junior Kart World Championship, 2nd
• 1986 German Kart Championship, 3rd European Kart Championship North Zone, 2nd European Kart Championship Final,3rd
• 1987 German Kart Championship, 1st European Kart Championship North Zone 2nd, European Kart Championship Final, 1st South African Kart Grand Prix, 2nd
• 1988 German Formula Konig Championship, 1st European Formula Ford 1600 Championship, 2nd German Formula Ford 1600 Championship, 6th
• 1989 German Formula 3 Championship, 2nd Macau Grand Prix
• 1990 German Formula 3 Championship, 1st German Touring Car Championship European Formula 3 Cup Macau Grand Prix, 1st Euro-Macau-Fuji Challenge Cup, 1st Sports-Prototype World Championship, 5th
• 1991 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 12th (Jordan-Ford, Benetton-Ford) Sports-Prototype World Championship, 9th All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship German Touring Car Championship
• 1992 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 3rd (Benetton-Ford: win in Belgium)
• 1993 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 4th (Benetton-Ford: win in Portugal)
• 1994 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 1st (Benetton-Ford: wins in Brazil, Pacific, San Marino, Monaco, Canada, France, Hungary and Europe)
• 1995 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 1st (Benetton-Renault: wins in Brazil, Spain, Monaco, France, Germany, Belgium, Europe, Pacific and Japan)
• 1996 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 3rd (Ferrari F310: wins in Spain, Belgium and Italy)
• 1997 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 2nd (disq) (Ferrari F310B: wins in Monaco, Canada, France, Belgium and Japan)
• 1998 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 2nd (Ferrari F300: wins in Argentina, Canada, France, England, Hungary and Italy)
• 1999 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 5th (broken leg) (Ferrari F399: wins in San Marino and Monaco)
• 2000 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 1st (Ferrari F1-2000: wins in Australia, Brazil, San Marino, Europe, Canada, Italy, US, Japan and Malaysia)
• 2001 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 1st (Ferrari F2001: wins in Australia, Malaysia, Spain, Monaco, Europe, France, Hungary, Belgium and Japan)
• 2002 FIA Formula 1 World Championship, 1st (Ferrari F2002: wins in Australia, Brazil, San Marino, Spain, Austria, Canada, England, France, Germany and Belgium) 
