Egypt hosts the exciting Middle East Karting Cup for the first time, writes Ahmed Morsy In the first event of its kind in Egypt, Ghibli Raceway hosts the Middle East Karting Cup 2008 (MEKC) in Sharm El-Sheikh. The four-day tournament was scheduled to start yesterday and will last until 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 the CIK-FIA in Egypt. Ghibli Raceway is organising and hosting the MEKC, a new professional series in motorsport karting, considered the springboard to Formula One racing. A press conference on Sunday said MEKC tournaments will be held between January and April 2008 over three rounds in Egypt and Dubai, two of which will be held at Ghibli's track in Sharm El-Sheikh. The first round is from 16 to 19 January and the final from 16 to 19 April in Sharm El-Sheikh while the third round will be held in Dubai from 27 February to 1 March. Winners of the cup will get the chance to enter the Rotax Max Euro Challenge and the Bridgestone Karting Cup, which have become some of the most prestigious kart race series in Europe, if not worldwide. The press conference was attended by Hani Soufrakis, the chairman and the executive director of Ghibli Raceway, Fadl Shaker, the chairman of ATCE, Kotb Suleiman, ATCE vice chairman, and Ahmed Shokri, deputy head of the Egyptian Tourism Authority. "Most of the Formula One racers began their driving career with karting races," said Suleiman at the press conference. "It's considered the stepping stone to Formula One racing so it is very important for Arab racers in general and Egyptians in particular if you want to reach F1 racing." Karting is the fastest growing motorsport in the Middle East and its drivers, including world champion Michael Schumacher, have used it as a bridge to racing stardom. The two-time Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso also began his driving career by winning karting competitions as a youngster. "The role of ATCE is to coordinate with the concerned bodies to secure and support this championship," Kotb said. "The club is experienced in holding related races across the country, hence assisting Ghibli throughout the championship course." Over 40 drivers from Arab, African and European countries are participating in the tournament which is co-organised by Protrain Racing, one of the largest companies dedicated to 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 gives its full support towards the development of the sport in Egypt though training courses, top-notch instructors and equipment, and the holding of tournaments which promote the game on a year round basis. "This tournament will generate future champions and the awareness about what this motorsport needs in the Middle East," Soufrakis said at the press conference. "Ghibli's vision is to see a Middle Eastern champion competing on a global level, and this championship is the first step towards realising the dream."
