Karting championship sees strong intererst from schools
DUBAI, September 16, 2015
Dubai Autodrome has reported strong interest in the Emirates Schools Karting Championship (ESKC), the first edition of which will be launched later this year.
More than a dozen schools are already looking to enter teams in the new series which was announced during the official launch of 2015-2016 UAE motor racing season by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE earlier this month, said a statmeent.
ATCUAE president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, patron of the ESKC, said he expects the student based racing series to become part of extramural activities offered by schools in the UAE.
“Apart from the fitness, teamwork and skill elements required to excel at competitive karting, the sport also has the ability to instill in our youth the ethos of racing on race tracks and not on public roads,” said Sulayem.
“The ESKC unites the various karting venues in the UAE, who in turn can unite the schools in their respective areas not only to compete but also to evolve relationships and develop camaraderie among the students and teachers,” he said.
The ESKC will be run by Dubai Autodrome along with partner circuits Al Ain Raceway, RAK Track and Al Forsan Raceway under the auspices of the ATCUAE.
Emirati racing driver and ESKC project leader Saeed bin Touq said: “It’s encouraging to see the interest shown already by more than a dozen schools, and we are actively approaching more schools to present the ESKC concept to teachers, and parents where required, with the view to establish the karting discipline as part of the UAE school sports programme.
“Students from 13 to 18 years of age are eligible to compete in the team races, and the clear message to them is to respect the rules of the road and if there is a need for speed then the race track is the place for this. There is no better place to start than in karting which is the grassroots of motor racing.”
Dubai Autodrome will announce the inaugural ESKC race calendar in due course, said the statement.
The school representatives and students interested in obtaining more information about the ESKC should refer to the official website, which has all the latest news about the series along with rules, regulations and tips for teachers and students, it added. - TradeArabia News Service
