AL AIN // The opening round of the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge (URMC) Series takes place Friday with a record 68 drivers taking part – including Rashid Al Dhaheri, an Emirati driver who is five years old.
Organised by Al Ain Raceway Kart Club, this 12-round series will feature five race classes according to age and performance, and takes place across the Emirates.
Karting has been the starting point for several Formula One drivers and Antonio Kekati, managing director of Al Ain Raceway, is keen to emphasis the grass-roots experience.
“We are continually hearing about the quest for an Emirati Formula One driver, but this path is one that must start very early in order to acquire the skills necessary to compete at the highest level,” he said.
“So for me, it is personally very rewarding to see our young Micro MAX drivers following in the footsteps of their sporting heroes and this bodes well for the future of the sport here.”
Kekati refers to the National Championship’s youngest race category, where drivers as young as age eight can compete.
A variety of categories offer a natural progression, including a Bambino Class, where Al Daheri and other 5 year olds compete.
In addition to Al Ain, the Rotax MAX Challenge 2013/14 will visit the Dubai Kartdrome, Abu Dhabi’s Al Forsan International Resort and Yas Marina Circuit.
A trip to the new Oman Karting Track at Muscat will mark the first time the national championship has visited foreign soil.
sports@thenational.ae
