Ahli are heading for more glory, reports Ahmed Morsy The third and final round of the Middle East Karting Cup (MEKC) begins today at Ghibli Raceway in Sharm El-Sheikh. Thirty drivers from Arab, African and European countries will be taking part in the cup which is co-organised by Protrain Racing, one of the largest companies dedicated to organising kart racing events and managing karting circuits. It is headed by Steve Chapman, ex-chairman of the Association of British Kart Clubs (ABKC). Ghibli Raceway is organising the MEKC, a new professional series in motorsport karting, considered the stepping stone to Formula One racing. The MEKC is a new CIK-FIA approved motorsports series, and the first of its kind in the region, with the first two rounds having already taken place. The first round took place at Ghibli Raceway in Sharm El-Sheikh in January whereas the second was held at the Dubai Autodrome in Dubai. The race is certified by the International Automotive and Karting Federation (CIK-FIA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Tourism Authority, and under the supervision of the Automobile and Touring Club of Egypt (ATCE), the official representative of the CIK-FIA in Egypt. According to Hani Sufrakes, founder of the race, winners of the cup will get the chance to enter the Rotax Max Euro Challenge and the Bridgestone Karting Cup, which has become one of the most prestigious kart race series in Europe, if not worldwide. The previous rounds witnessed fierce competition between the racers, especially in Dubai, which produced high quality driving especially from some of the Emirate-based racers who have been involved in the sport for years. The ones to watch this time around will definitely be the winner of the previous two rounds, Austrian Kevin Reichard, who claimed the seniors event. The 17-year-old champion has been in superb form throughout the competition. In Dubai, Reichard, who was backed by his entire family, including his father who is also his coach, said he was looking forward to the final round in Sharm El-Sheikh and claiming the cup. Reichard is the current Austrian champion. Despite his age, he has experience, finishing 5th in the 2007 World Finals in Al-Ain, in the UAE. Fans of the sport will enjoy the battle in the juniors event which is expected to be just as exciting as that of the seniors, especially when Jordan's Othman Abu Samra locks horns again with Syrian Pierre George for the top spot. George is the slight favourite. Both have been karting for a couple of years, and even though the Jordanian is the son of a famous rally champion, and with two major sponsors at his side, the Syrian holds the better chance of finishing as champion. "This tournament will generate future champions and the awareness that this motorsport needs in the Middle East," said Sufrakes, chairman and executive director of Ghibli Raceway. "Ghibli's vision is to see a Middle Eastern champion competing on a global level, and this championship is the first step towards realising this dream." Karting is the fastest growing motorsport in the Middle East and champions such as Michael Schumacher have used karting as a bridge to racing stardom. Two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso also began his driving career by winning karting competitions as a child. "The role of the ATCE is to coordinate with the concerned bodies to secure and support this championship. The club is well experienced in holding related races across the country, hence assisting Ghibli throughout the championship course," said Raouf Deigheidi, ATCE vice chairman. Ghibli Raceway gives it full support towards the development of the sport in Egypt through training courses, the best instructors and equipment, and holding tournaments promoting the game on a year round basis.
