The Kartdrome is set to host the Dubai O-Plate, where 90 of the region's top junior and senior karters will take on a selection of international drivers in an annual karting weekend in Dubai's Motorcity.

 

It comes hot on the wheels of the Hankook 24H Dubai at the Autodrome.

 

The O-Plate, which will take place on January 22 and 23, is a festival of karting catering for all UAE national Rotax Max classes – DD2, DD2 Master, Max, Junior Max, Mini Max and Micro Max – along with Bambino class and the Open category plugged into the bill over the two days.

 

On the grid will be drivers from UAE, Australia, Germany, Russia, Senegal, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Canada, Brazil, Iran, India, Pakistan, South Africa, France, England, Lebanon, Jordan, Oman and Kuwait.

 

The Rotax Max classes will feature most of the top drivers from the UAE Rotax Max championship, including a number of UAE Champions, who with several top international contingent can be expected to produce close racing throughout the weekend.

 

The Open Class, which is being billed as an ‘anything goes’ category, is made up of a mix of machines including shifter karts, and 2014 Rotax Max Grand Finals winner Sean Babington will be donning his overalls to take part.

 

Although not counting towards a championship, the O-Plate has been characterised by attractive prizes on offer for the various categories and this year is no exception as karting teams Energy Team UAE and Birel Art ME have dug deep to provide prestigious prizes for the event.

 

The prizes on offer include a factory drive at the 2016 World CIK Championships with Energy Corse, Energy Team UAE to provide Micro Max level kart for Bambino class winner, new Birel Art Senior Chassis on offer for Max winner, GulfSport Formula Gulf 1000 Single Seater Test, TAG Heuer watches for main categories winners, Kartdrome Gold Membership for Micro Max winner along with various Dubai Autodrome vouchers and experiences, including the Formula DXB, Audi TT and Audi R8.

 

Pre-race testing will take place on January 21 and the first day will be dedicated to qualifying, followed by four heat races for each category, while the second day will see the pre-final and final for each of the categories, followed by the podium and prize-giving ceremony for all classes.

 

David Bright, race director, said: “The O-Plate is a festival of karting with a Cup Final type of atmosphere. With great prizes up for grabs, from Energy Team UAE, Birel ART ME, Gulf Sport, TAG Heuer and Dubai Autodrome, there is a lot to drive for and we are expecting some very close racing in a format that is based on major international karting events.

 

“We welcome spectators and anyone interested in motor racing to attend, free of charge, and savour the atmosphere of a top tier karting event which will be a showcase for many talented drivers, as well as karting teams and of course the Kartdrome. It is great to see the junior classes heaving with entries, a good advert for karting in the UAE.” - TradeArabia News Service