Today's Edition
Dubai (Aletihad)
Some of the talent enlisted with the Dubai Autodrome Karting Academy (DAKA) got a chance to cut their teeth against international talent and came out with flying colours when Dubai Kartdrome staged the latest round of the Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA), a new global series.
Dubai hosted the fourth round, and the first outside Europe, with 102 karters from 32 countries taking part in the series that aims to provide opportunities, increase female participation and inclusion in karting competitions.
It is in collaboration with F1 Academy. Among those were DAKA and junior series graduates, including Britain's Conor Clancy and Lebanon's Mohammed Mneimneh, who represented the UAE with both triumphing in their Junior and Senior races, respectively.
Clancy, a former Dubai O Plate champion, was thrilled to come out on top. "The competition was really good and I am pleased to have driven strongly to win the race here. It was a fantastic experience that will help me. This weekend, I learned how to get better race starts and accelerate at the right times and this experience is something I am grateful for in my development," the 13-year-old said.
Other DAKA graduates included Atiqa Mir. Earlier, she became the first female to win at the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy at the Le Mans Kart International Circuit. The nine-year-old enjoyed the opportunity of competing against other drivers at COTFA.
She said: "It was a really good race and happy to have finished fifth and fourth. It's a challenging series but I have learned a lot that will help in my development such as being more confident.
"Having started my career at Dubai Kartdrome, I know the track very well and learned a lot from my instructors. Racing in a competitive environment especially in a mixed grid was tough but one that I thoroughly enjoyed and proud to have given my best."
Another young Dubai-based talent was Maxim Bobreshov. The 12-year-old has been karting for six years and was among the winners in the latest round of the series. "It was a fantastic opportunity to race against other promising drivers and even better to get a win. I feel more confident behind the wheel and better equipped mentally, which is crucial when it comes to these global events."
Following previous races in Spain and Italy, the championship will conclude in the UAE with Al Ain and Al Forsan staging the fifth and sixth rounds.
The event is not only opening doors for aspiring drivers but also expands karting to new markets, making the sport more accessible to enthusiasts worldwide with F1 Academy also supporting three female drivers in each of the three mixed-gender categories.
DAKA is a 10-week after-school programme that combines STEM-learning, driving, mechanical and practical sessions, helping students to gain the necessary skills that are required to become a racing driver.
James Geidel, the president of the organising body RGMMC, said: "Expanding outside of Europe was a major target for RGMMC. With everything the UAE can provide as a destination, it was the logical choice.
"After over a year of visits, we decided to launch our 2024 UAE programme at the Dubai Kartdrome. With its new FIA circuit homologation, the venue has proven to have been the correct choice and we look forward to returning for many years to come."
