Arnaud Bouf is determined to put in a driving masterclass at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final at Al Ain Raceway at the weekend.
The Frenchman won the DD2 Masters category in the 2001/11 UAE Rotax Max series and is in the Emirates team taking part in the world's biggest karting competition.
"It is very satisfying to be representing the UAE," he said. "I have lived here for 11 years, and I would love nothing more than to win a trophy and help to bring the UAE flag to the top step of the podium."
The finals saw their first track action at the Raceway yesterday as drivers from around the globe got their first look at the circuit during a free practice period.
Bouf is hoping to continue the form that saw him win eight races in a row last season.
Also competing for Team UAE are Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa and Mohamed Al Dhaheri in the DD2 category, Abdullah Al Rawahi in the Junior Max, and Sanad Al Rawahi and Patrick Jarjour in the Senior Max category.
Bouf, like the rest of the UAE team, has raced a lot at Al Ain, and he is optimistic that local knowledge will be an asset.
"Of course, racing in the Grand Finals on our home circuit - Al Ain Raceway - is in one respect an advantage, but there is also a lot of pressure to do well."
The annual event is being held in Al Ain for the second time after first being staged at the racetrack in 2007.
A total of 264 drivers, aged from 13 upwards, are taking part in the competition, and many of them have been in Al Ain since Saturday, when registration began.
A raffle was held on Sunday at the track with competitors drawing lots for which kart they will be racing this week, to ensure that the issuing of the machinery is completely random and fair.
More practice takes place today, with sessions beginning at 10am, with the first qualifying taking place tomorrow.
Qualifying heat races take place on Thursday and Friday with the finals of each category being held on Saturday, with a prize-giving ceremony afterwards.
* Agency
Miguel Cotto world titles:
WBO Light Welterweight champion - 2004-06
WBA Welterweight champion – 2006-08
WBO Welterweight champion – Feb 2009-Nov 2009
WBA Light Middleweight champion – 2010-12
WBC Middleweight champion – 2014-15
WBO Light Middleweight champion – Aug 2017-Dec 2017
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
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England squad
Joe Root (captain), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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The specs
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Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
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10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
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13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
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16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
- Create a savings and investments union to help companies access capital
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Porsche Macan T: The Specs
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Price: From Dh259,900
