DUBAI // Six year-old Emirati kart-racer Rashid Al Dhaheri, fresh from featuring in The New York Times last week, will compete Friday in what is being billed as the biggest karting day held in the UAE.
The O-Plate Race Day has attracted more than 150 entries – including a record number of more than a dozen females and several international karters – to take part in 24 races at Dubai Kartdrome.
The Rotax Max karting championships will feature races across a range of age groups. The Sodi World Series Junior and Senior cups will also take place.
With such competitive fields and all age groups represented, the O-Plate Race Day has attracted an unprecedented pool of prizes from almost every company involved with karting in the Emirates.
The winner of the Senior Max category will be rewarded with a fully paid factory drive at one of the rounds of the karting world championships, believed to be worth in the region of €12,000 (Dh50,000).
Other prizes include a half-day of training with Sean Babbington, last year’s DD2 champion, a test session in Formula Gulf 1000, a fully paid entry into the next round of the Rotax Max Challenge and a selection of Tag Heuer watches.
“The generosity of the prize givers has been amazing, showing that the karting community is devoted to growing the sport and rewarding those that excel at all levels,” said Ryan Trutch, who is the manager at Dubai Kartdrome.
“Little Alonso”, as Al Dhaheri is often known, is competing in the Bambino category and will have to settle for something a little less expensive should he set the fastest time in his class tomorrow. The youngest winner of the day is rewarded with a Scalextric slot car.
Follow us on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
