Stage set for Rotax Max Grand Finals

Al Ain: The stage is set for the UAE to host the Gulf's first Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, the biggest annual event on the global karting calendar.

A total of 220 drivers from 60 countries will descend on Al Ain Raceway from Monday for six days of the adrenaline-pumping racing under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan Bin Hamdan Bin Zayed.

The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, first held in Puerto Rico in 2000, have grown in size over the years as aspiring drivers look up to the likes of Lewis Hamilton who used karting as a launchpad for a career in Formula One.

"The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals bring the cream of drivers to compete at a new venue every year," said Antonio Kekati, general manager of Pro Motorsports, main organisers of the event.

"It's a great honour for the UAE and Al Ain to be chosen to host what has been dubbed the 'Olympics of karting.' Residents of the UAE and the Gulf will get to see the world's greatest karting champions in action."

"The UAE should really be proud to host this exciting global event, because we already have some champions and promising drivers, including Marwan Al Tayer, who finished third in the world last year," said Khalid Bin Shaiban, chairman of Pro Motorsports.

'Great feeling'

"This year, Emirati drivers Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Alshamsi are going to set pulses racing as they compete on home ground for the first time against the world's best drivers," added Kekati.

"It is a great feeling to bring the pulsating excitement of karting to the desert. We anticipate a lot of interest in this sport among the youngsters in the UAE and Gulf. The upgraded Al Ain Raceway is not only proud to host this gigantic event, but also looks forward to nurturing champions in the years to come," Kekati said.

The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals marks the culmination of national level and zonal championships and is approved by the Commission de Internationale de Karting (CIK), a specialised karting commission of FIA (Federation Internationale de L'automobile), the governing body of world motor sports.

All drivers in the Rotax Max Challenge use similar types of karts from some of the best European manufacturers - Intrepid and CRG - all powered by Rotax engines.

There will be three categories for the Grand Finals in Al Ain: Juniors, Seniors and DD2 (a shifter class with 2 speed transmission for seniors). "The development of Al Ain Raceway this year has been nothing short of miraculous," commented Guy Sheffield, circuit general manager.

World-class entity

"Over the last few months, it has been transformed into a world-class, state-of-the-art facility. And the good news for Al Ain and the rest of the UAE is that it will soon become a motor sport centre for the general public.

From mid-December, the facility will be open for drivers to hone their skills on top-of-the-line Intrepid rental karts. We will also have a kart shop, store and workshop to provide an all-round service to kart owners and enthusiasts alike."