The second round of the Middle East Karting Cup concluded in the UAE. Inas Mazhar reports from the Dubai Autodrome The Middle East Karting Cup (MEKC) is a new International Automotive and Karting Federation (CIK-FIA)-approved motor sports series, and the first of its kind in the region, with the first round having already taken place at Ghibili Raceway in Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt in January. The event was hosted in the Dubai autodrome, one of only three kart circuits which currently meet the professional criteria of the CIK-FIA in the Middle East, one of the other two being Egypt's Ghibili Raceway. The Dubai autodrome is a fully integrated motor sports facility which has a CIK-approved karting track built to world class standards called the kartdrome. The MEKC saw the regions top drivers descend on Dubai to take on the best karters. Over 30 drivers from across the world were registered in this exciting three-day event, including the six winners of the first round who were looking forward to tackling this latest challenge, the 1.2 km kartdrome circuit which featured a challenging 17 corners. Participants from Egypt, Iran, the UAE, Libya, Syria and Lebanon in addition to European participants from Austria, Italy and France took part in the races. "Karting is one of the fastest growing motor sports in the region, and is widely recognised as a stepping stone to championship race car driving," Hani Soufrakis, director and founder of the race, said. "As part of the prize for winning the MEKC, the champion will be sponsored in a race in the Bridgestone Karting Cup in England. This could lead successful drivers onward to Formula Renault which could lead towards the ultimate goal in motor sports, Formula One." The first day of the MEKC saw welcoming and registration of all participants and practice sessions for junior and senior drivers. On the second day, the race began with heats and 15 laps of the track. The final day witnessed the pre-finals and finals. The ceremonial drivers' parade which came in between the two events, was one of the most exciting parts of the tournament especially for motor sports fans. Attractive ladies wearing the Ghibili raceway shirts and hot shorts and mini-skirts heated up the heat of the day in the racers parade as fans cheered and applauded their countrymen. Participants also joined Soufrakis in taking a group picture. "The MEKC truly has the potential to inspire future champions of world motor sport. Since we began working on bringing the MEKC to light, we at Ghibili Raceway have had a vision, and that is to see a Middle Eastern driver become a worldwide champion," said Soufrakis. "The participation of European champions in the Middle East race makes it stronger, more exciting and increases the level and standard of the racers. I believe it gives the opportunity to our Middle East drivers to gain more experience by competing against them." The races were exciting for the spectators who turned out in the newly constructed Dubai autodrome. The juniors final race, which consisted of 20 laps, was supposed to start with eight racers but ended up with only six after one racer was excluded while another Iranian pulled out because of mechanical problems in his kart. First place went to the UAE's Edward Jones from Dubai who was happy to win and said he enjoyed competing against his eventual runner-up Pierre George of Syria. "I got worried during some laps, but I was confident I would come out the winner in the end," said Jones, whose father said he was not only proud of his son but with all the young boys who displayed such tremendous performances, "especially Piere who did a fantastic job." Jones added that his son will be under huge pressure in the third round in Sharm El-Sheikh and that they would see how it goes. "In summer we are preparing to go for more and bigger events." Iran's Othman Abu Samra was placed third, followed by Egypt's Mazen Badrawi in fourth place. Badrawi trains in Bahrain and is taking a test drive at BMW which will definitely be to his advantage. Hassan Soufrakis, nephew of Hani Soufrakis, came in fifth. The younger Soufrakis suffered a mechanical problem during the race. In the seniors finals first place went to Austria's Kevin who managed to take the lead of the 25-lap race from the start. Seventeen drivers took part in the final which saw a tough battle among the top three: Kevin, Sheikh Hashr Al-Maktoum of Dubai and his fellow countryman Scot who eventually ended first to third respectively. Kevin was glad to take part in the Middle East Karting Cup in Dubai and said he was looking forward to the third round in Sharm El-Sheikh next month. "It was an exciting event and I enjoyed competing against Hashr which was a big challenge. Maktoum took the lead in the pre- final and in the final I thought I needed to take him early in the first couple of laps if I wanted to win. He gave me a hard time but I maintained the lead as the race was finishing and I was confident of winning. I never looked back. Winning here gives me a comfortable lead in the third round next month." Added Kevin: "I believe karting is really growing in the Middle East." Sheikh Hashr, 22, was satisfied with his second place finish considering that he was entering car racing and karting at the same time. "It is very difficult to do them both but I love taking part in both races. It was a wonderful weekend and good experience. I am looking forward to a busy schedule in the coming three months but right now I'm not sure if I will take part in the third round in Sharm El-Sheikh. I have other car races to prepare for and sometimes the schedule gets tight but we'll see." Hashr refrained from saying which sport he enjoys most, karting or car racing. "I love them both. They are motor sports after all." One notable feature was the impressive participation of the Iranian delegation which took part with six drivers. Iran has shown recent progress in the sport and are currently constructing an autodrome and are inviting the organisers to include a fourth round in Iran to the race next year. Ghibili Raceway is a pioneering provider of international motor sport to the Middle East located in Sharm El-Sheikh. Ghibili Raceway's international circuit measures over 1,300 metres and is built to the highest requirements of the CIK- FIA, the first track to have done so in the region and one of only a handful in the world built to their highest licensing requirements. Ghibili Raceway has hosted the prestigious Rotax Max Challenge World Finals in 2004, which organisationally is still considered the benchmark in standards, and many of the racing world's best known names, including Formula One legends Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard. Soufrakis, who founded the organisation in 2001, has since enhanced its portfolio and business lines. It currently employs over 60 staff members spanning six departments. Soufrakis' launching of the Middle East Karting Cup will strengthen Ghibili Raceway's position as the leading karting--focused motor sport company in the Middle East.
