Karting training facilities in place

Young drivers can begin their learning curve to Formula One stardom in Al Ain and Dubai.

ABU DHABI // For those looking for a quick route into karting without having to make a long-term commitment, both the Al Ain Raceway (03-768-6662) and the Kartdrome at Dubai Autodrome (04-367-8744) offer affordable "arrive and drive" programmes. Designed to provide an opportunity to experience karting without the expense of having to purchase a kart, the programme in Al Ain caters to drivers over the age of seven and gives them the chance to test their mettle on either the Indy or Club circuits or the International circuit.

Prices start from Dh100 for 15 minutes on one of the smaller tracks and go up to Dh400 for an hour on the longer track. All equipment and necessary training is provided and drivers receive individual lap-times and analysis at the end of their sessions. At the Autodrome, the pricing and organisational structure is practically identical: Dh100 for a 15-minute session on either the indoor or outdoor track with a minimum age limit of seven.

The next natural progression for those looking to get more seriously involved in karting is to sign up for private tuition at the Al Ain Kart School, which starts at Dh400. Drivers are also free to book into the several pre-arranged open races organised by the Raceway. Likewise, the Autodrome hosts championship-level karting throughout the year - including the Rotax Max challenge's Cadet, Junior and Senior races - and is also home to the HSBC Racing Academy, a dedicated karting programme designed to develop the best local talent the Emirates has to offer.

For those drivers who own their own kart, both the Autodrome and the Raceway offer storage facilities, charging a set track fee of Dh100 in each visit. [e-mail]