Dubai Motor City On The Rise

Dubai's kart lovers who currently have to combat not just the tricky kerbs at the Dubai Autodrome but also the sweltering heat, will soon have their prayers answered thanks to the construction of the Emirate's first-ever indoor karting track.

The project is an extension to the Autodrome which itself is one of the five phases of the estimated Dh18 billion Union Properties enterprise of Motorcity that will be ready by 2009.

Originally expected to be complete by next month, the 600-metre track is now set to be up and running by mid-Sep-tember according to manager of karting at the Autodrome, David Terrien.

“It has been a bit delayed but we expect it to be running properly by then,'' said Terrien.

The Frenchman, a former world karting champion in 1993 took XPRESS on a short tour of the track site presently under construction.

“It was going to be a small indoor track initially as this plot was to be part of an extended car park,'' he said, before adding: “But after seeing how well our outdoor track was faring and doing some research on indoor tracks, we realised there was potential to do something bigger.

“I personally went to Europe where you have some of the best indoor karting tracks in countries such as France, Spain, Belgium and even Estonia. That gave me an idea and then I sat down with the architects and we came up with a design.''

Built adjacent to the outdoor track that has been operational since May 2005, kart drivers can expect an enthralling ride while getting a feel of both tracks.

“We have the possibility of linking the outdoor and indoor track and there are as many as nine combinations we can use if we link the two,'' said Terrien.

However, Terrien confirmed that the new addition will not be hosting professional races.

“This track is going to be dedicated to leisure drivers and corporates. It is smaller compared to the outdoor one and will not be used for racing karts, though we will organise three 24-hour kart races in a year where we plan to use the outdoor-indoor combinations.''

Motorcity Phases

1. Dubai Autodrome
2. F1 Theme Park
3. Business Park Motorcity, which will also have an Automall complex
4. Green Community Motorcity
5. Uptown Motorcity

Aside from Dubai Autodrome which is already in operation and will have the indoor kart track as an addition when completed, the other four phases are all due for completion in 2009

The master plan

• Track length: 600 metres
• Area of indoor track complex: 6,500 square metres
• The ground floor will have a reception area, merchandising shop, conference room, briefing room, changing room, restrooms, a workshop and an air-conditioned pit lane
• The first floor will have a restaurant, bar, a terrace of 200 seating capacity overlooking the indoor and outdoor tracks, a video-game room and a laser dome
• The indoor track area will also have an evaporating cooling system which can keep the internal temperature down to 24C-25C even if the external temperature exceeds 40C. “It is more economical than air conditioning and the functioning of this system ensures that the air inside the track will be renewed every six minutes,'' says karting manager David Terrien

F1's theme for dreams

The Formula One bug seems to have hit the Emirates.

With Abu Dhabi to be part of the F1 calendar from 2009, the fever has gripped Dubai as well, with Union Properties developing an F1 Theme Park in union with Formula One Administration Limited.

Another major phase of the Motorcity project, it is des-igned to offer entertainment facilities as well as educate visitors on F1 and related activities.

The F1 Theme Park will be a $360 million (Dh1.3 billion) development aiming to provide a flavour of the thrill of F1 racing.

“The idea is for people to have a virtual F1 experience at the theme park that will then make you want to experience the real deal at the Auto-drome,'' said Zayed Ahmad, real estate executive at Union Properties.

Though actual construction is yet to begin, most of the details are finalised and it is scheduled to be fully functional along with the rest of Motorcity by 2009. Major rides have been ordered taking their inspiration from Formula One.

More info

• To learn about the new karting track contact David Terrien on 04-367 8700