The Middle East Karting Cup lightens up the path of discerning upcoming Arab champions in motorsport. Ahmed Morsy reports from the speed zone Sharm El-Sheikh, the city of peace, hosted the exciting Middle East Karting Cup 2008 (MEKC), the first event of its kind in Egypt, in Ghibli Raceway on Saturday. 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 CIK-FIA in Egypt. Twenty-six countries participated in the three-day tournament. Ghibli raceway, which co-hosts the championship in conjunction with the Autodrome raceway in Dubai, is a three series tournament, beginning and finishing in Sharm El-Sheikh. The second series is in Dubai from 27 February to 1 March while the third and final round is scheduled for April. The championship is divided into two categories: one for juniors in the 13-16 age bracket and one for seniors aged 16 and over. Stephan Karasev, from Russia, came first in the juniors category while Belgium's Pierre Georges Hanna was second. Third went to Egyptian racer Mazen Badawi. In the seniors, the Austrian Kevin Richard was number one, Hamza Hassan Dirani took second place and Italian Piero De Marchi third. Although local motorsport is taking sluggish steps, the championship is being hailed as a step forward, if not a leap, in the still struggling sport. Experts say that karting is the first step for any serious racer interested in ultimately competing in the Formula One and NASCAR championships. Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher started his career in karting. Ghibli's track is 1,308 metres. The circuit itself was built to the standards set by the CIK-FIA and the authorised international body within the FIA. Today, Ghibli Raceway's Sharm facility is one of only four tracks in the world with a Grade A license. A testament to Ghibli's success was hosting the prestigious Rotax Max Challenge World Finals, the most international (38 countries) and popular (+7,000 competitors) FIA sanctioned motor sport formula, in January 2004. Ghibli has hosted many of the racing world's best known names: Schumacher, David Coulthard, Paul Stewart and Gianni Morbidelli. Outside of the racing world, Ghibli Raceway has had the honour of hosting VIPs such as the emir of Bahrain and Arabic and European music and film stars. The first day of the event was for practice while the second day was for twice heating among the two categories, each one 15 laps. On the final day, drivers began warming up with three laps followed by the pre-final for the juniors with 15 laps, and 20 laps for the seniors. The final race started after the drivers' parade; it was 20 and 25 laps for juniors and seniors. Heat grids and the pre-final are defined by time practice according to the points awarded for heats. The final grids are in proportion to the finishing position of the pre-final. The karts speed in the final race reaches 160km/h. "I live in Cairo so that's why I had some problems practicing since it is only in Sharm where I can do so," Badawi, 15, told Al-Ahram Weekly. Badawi can only practice in Sharm El-Sheikh or travel to England and Austria to train which affects his studies. "I can handle it regardless of the difficulties since I love racing, speed and the battle in the race between the racers. I know that the speed might be dangerous somehow but I am one of the sport's enthusiasts. My next wish is Formula BMW in Bahrain." Ghibli Raceway Chairman Hani Soufrakis, Amr El-Ezabi, head of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, Mohamed Hareedi, the general manager of ATCE, Rod Tailor, chief of the British Union of Motorsport and responsible for the track, and a representative of CIK-FIA attend a press conference that followed the tournament. Mohamed Metwali, governor of South Sinai, inaugurated the race on Thursday. Ghibli Raceway's "Formula to Strive" inspires a diverse demography to come and experience an adrenaline-packed driving experience. "The Middle East Karting Cup marks the dawn of a new era for motorsports like karting," Soufrakis told the Weekly. "It serves as a critical development feeder for higher motorsport formulas for all aspiring Middle East nationals seeking a place in the fast developing motorsport world. "Motorsport and karting have also become increasingly popular in Egypt, especially since Ghibli Raceway hosted the prestigious Rotax Max Challenge World Finals in 2004 and many high profile corporate events since -- all our top-notch circuits. Now we are raising the bar again with the Middle East Karting Cup. "There are less than 20 licensed karting drivers in Egypt while in UAE there are more than 1,000. We, with the protocols with ATCE, are aiming to increase the number in Egypt and spread the sport in some of the famous clubs in Cairo and other cities such as Ahli and Zamalek clubs in Cairo, Sporting in Alexandria and Ismaili in Ismailia. That is how we are approaching our championship slogan 'Inspiring Future Champions'," Soufrakis said. From the standpoint of the Ministry of Tourism and the Egyptian Tourism Authority, it is expected that the championship will boost the tourism industry with an increasing influx of visitors interested in the sport. "Sharm El-Sheikh is a well known unique sea resort and the MEKC proved to the world that Sharm can have other kinds of sports other than water sports," El-Ezabi told the Weekly. "The event also promoted the modern image of Egypt in general and specifically Sharm El-Sheikh to attract a new sector of tourist who is interested in motorsport since we aim to approach mainly higher class tourists. "Moreover, it won't be just a three-day annual event since the track is open to anyone interested in practicing or just trying out karting." Hence, for those with a need for speed and are seeking the ultimate thrill, Ghibli Raceway is located in the heart of Sharm El-Sheikh and is open seven days a week, 13 hours a day from 12pm to 1am. With its innovative recipe for sleek modernity and adrenaline stimulation in a unique setting, Ghibli Raceway has cultivated a highly successful formula for driver development and motor sport entertainment. ATCE is the Egyptian member of the FIA and consequently one of the sponsors. "This won't be the first time the club works with motorsports championships; the Pharaoh Rally is only one example of its previous efforts," Hareedi told the Weekly. "One of our main goals was to promote this new sport locally. We want to spread the sport to be found in more cities in Egypt since many people don't know a lot about it. "The tournament is the first step forward to discover an Arab champion to represent us in Formula One racing in the future." Ghibli has an impeccable safety record, strictly observing UK Motor Sports Association (MSA) standards at all times. All drivers receive a driver and kart briefing, driving overalls, gloves, a balaclava and helmet. In the unlikely event of an emergency track marshals trained in first aid are on the track. During all races and events, a race controller is in the central control tower overlooking the track and monitors control the progress of the entire operation inclusive of timing equipment and electronic marshals. As a last resort, stray or wayward drivers not following Ghibli's obligatory safety standards and therefore potentially a danger to themselves and other participating drivers can have power cut off from their kart remotely. For safety reasons, children are sectioned off from the adult racers in their own individual cadet track.
