The ultimate guide to the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge

The basics

What is it? The UAE Rotax MAX Challenge is the UAE’s only national karting series.

Who is it for? Although anyone can race in the series, drivers must first acquire a race license, which can be done at either Dubai Kartdrome or Al Ain Raceway.

The series is for anyone who owns a Rotax-powered kart and who wants to race in a national championship.

Karting is ideal for anyone who wants to start the journey towards a career as a racing driver. It’s also a great part-time activity for speed-freaks, regardless of age.

Micro MAX is a class for children aged between 8 and 11

Is karting important to motorsport? Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Mika Hakkinen, Kimi Raikonnen… are you seeing a pattern here? Ask any racing legend where they started, and more importantly, where they learned to be good, and they’ll tell you they started in karting.

Karting is not just for kids.

Can I watch? Yes! Spectating at each race is 100 per cent free. You are encouraged to walk around the paddock and talk to the drivers and mechanics. The racing is exciting and close and makes for an interesting day out.

The series

How many races are there? The season is 12 races long and runs throughout the winter months. The full race calendar is below:

Scuderia lead the way at Al Ain Raceway

How many circuits does it race at? The series visits five different race circuits: Al Ain Raceway, Al Forsan in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Kartdrome, Muscat Speedway in Oman, and Yas Marina, for which the karts race on part of the actual Grand Prix track.

Who runs the series? The series is owned and run by Al Ain Raceway. It is sanctioned by the Automobile and Touring Club UAE (ATC UAE). The ATC are the FIA-appointed sporting authority who is responsible for motorsport in the region.

Is it a proper championship? Yes, each driver scores points for each race meeting. The drivers with the most points in each of the classes are crowned the national champion.

There is a detailed rule book for both technical and sporting regulations.

What are the prizes? While impressive trophies are awarded, the organisers pick performing drivers to represent the UAE in the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, which is held in a different country each year.

The UAE has hosted the event twice, in 2007 and 2011.

The karts

What are karts? Karts, which are sometimes called go-karts (much to the chagrin of seasoned karters), are small, single frame racing vehicles. They come in a variety of sizes and with different engines to suit most levels of ability.  

Piers Pakenham-Walsh racing a DD2-powered SodiKart

How fast can they go? The average race kart can reach speeds of about 80kp/h, although there are some which have been recorded flirting with 140kp/h.

Are they safe? All motorsport comes with an element of risk, and while accidents can happen, karting is generally considered a safe form of motorsport.

What are the classes?

* A special "Bambino" series exists for children as young as five, although they only compete in time trials. The series runs alongside the RMC.

What is Rotax? Rotax is an engine maker and subsidiary of Austrian firm BRP. They primarily make two types of engine, the 125 MAX and the DD2 (Direct Drive 2 –speed).

The beauty of the 125 MAX engine is that the bottom end and block can be used from the ages of seven up to adult classes. The speed differences and restriction can be altered by fitting a different cylinder head as well as other components. This means you can keep the same core engine for years.

All Rotax engines are sealed with a wire tag which means they cannot be opened and tuned. This serves to prevent cheating. Only Al Ain Raceway is permittted to cut the seal and work on the engines, as they are the UAE's appointed agent.

If any tags are found to have been cut or tampered with, the engine is considered illegal and will not be permitted to race.

Are there teams that I can join? Yes, there are several kart manufacturers with distributors in the UAE. They are ideal if you're not too mechanically gifted. Most offer professional coaching too.

The Energy team are one of several in the UAE

Is there much cheating? Despite wire tags being fitted to each engine to stop devious antics, there are always some people who will try to find an advantage. The series employs scrutineers to check each kart, and if any driver is found to be cheating then the stewards of the meeting will act firmly.

How much does it cost? It’s the million-dollar question, if you’ll forgive the pun. Although karting is the cheapest form of motor racing, it still costs. A brand new kart, complete with engine, starts at around Dh25,000. Used karts are always for sale, and a competitive one can be purchased for as little as Dh12,000.

You will need your own CIK-approved race wear. A helmet will be about Dh1,500, and an approved suit will also cost around Dh1,000. Gloves and boots together will cost a further Dh700 roughly.

Once you have registered for the series, which costs Dh300 annually, you’ll need to sustain yourself over the course of the season. Below is an approximate set of costs aimed at giving you a ball-park idea of how much you’ll spend for each race.

What about you?

How do I start? The first thing to do is decide if karting is for you. Pay a visit to your local circuit and have a drive. If you like what you experience, talk to a senior member of staff about what they can offer you.

Dubai Kartdrome run a championship called the SWS Series, which is open for members of the public. You can race against other drivers in a competitive series before making the jump to buying your own kart.

Al Ain Raceway run a popular series of Open Races. These are non-championship and usually draw big grids. It’s great for dipping your toe in.

Both of these races run in the circuit’s own rental karts and provide all the equipment you need.

Once you are happy to make the jump up from rental karting to the RMC, you’ll need to take your ARKS Test, which can be done at either Dubai Kartdrome or Al Ain Raceway. They will explain the process to you.

Dubai Kartdrome

Phone 03 768 6662 Email sales@alainraceway.com Website Rotax MAX Challenge