Dubai: The Dubai O-Plate Race Day, to be held at the Dubai Autodrome on March 14, will offer an opportunity for UAE-based drivers to experience competitive karting without facing the pressures or expenses of a full-season campaign.
The initiative is aimed at encouraging kart owners who do not compete on a regular basis to dust off their karts, top up the tanks and bolt on some fresh tyres and compete to be Dubai O-Plate Karting champion. Eligible competitors will need to have a valid competition licence or valid CIK international licence.
The format of the event places emphasis on cost-effectiveness for competitors, with the rules allowing for only one set of tyres and equal points for all races on the day to reward consistency.
Dubai Kartdrome manager Ryan Trutch said: “For some time now, we have been approached by kart owners who are keen to race in club-style races. Our assistant manager David Bright suggested an O-Plate style race last year, so we have let him run with this idea. O-Plate is in effect an open category of racing, which allows drivers to compete in any race-legal kart, without the pressures and expenses that are inevitable when undergoing a fully-fledged campaign in the UAE national karting championship.”
The organisers have put together a package of attractive prizes to reward the top participants. The prizes will sponsored by Birel Energy, AUH Motorsport, OMP, GulfSport Racing and Rotax Kart Products UAE and Dubai Kartdrome.
The race day will also feature non-championship races for Rotax Max teams and drivers, SWS Seniors, SWS Juniors and Bambino Cup.
“The prospect of this event has created a positive buzz within the karting community, with a number of ‘surprise’ drivers emerging out of the shadows to compete. The two days are geared for tough competition, but without the pressures of national racing, which will add to the enjoyment for those who turn up to compete,” Bright said.