The Dubai Autodrome 2016-17 season promises to be bigger than ever with an action-packed calendar full of activities, including brand new events added to the list of fan favourites.

Several calendar entries make their debut this year, including the highly anticipated FIA Formula 4 UAE Championship, which is primed to race on two different weekends at Dubai Autodrome.

Following on from the debut of the Emirates Motorsport Expo, hosted at the Autodrome earlier this month, the racing season kicks off with Round 3 of the Endurance Championship driven by Mini, taking place on October 21.

Another formula series unveiled will be the Formula Gulf Academy, based on the foundations of the previous FG1000 Championship, but now specifically adapted to function as an enhanced youth driver development programme.

Following the popularity of its inaugural season, the Emirates Schools Karting Championship will introduce a new Junior ESKC category, offering younger students (ages 7-12) a chance to form teams with classmates and compete against other local schools.  The Senior ESKC category will accommodate older students (ages 13-18).

Cherished events from past seasons are also set to return. National Race Days will deliver the best in national racing, including the NGK Racing Series, the UAE Sportbike Championship and the Radical Middle East Cup.

Additionally, Dubai Autodrome Circuit will play host to round 5 of Yas Marina’s TRD 86 Cup in March as part of an initiative to provide an affordable and easily accessible championship for local racers.

Other international series will join local racing on Power Weekends, including the MRF Challenge Formula 2000 Championship and the Porsche GT3 Cup Middle East.

The pinnacle event of the race season, as always, will be the world-renowned Hankook 24 Dubai on January 13 and 14, 2017.  Last year witnessed a record 100 cars filling the grid and this year entries are already close to capacity. A barrage of touring cars, GT cars and 24H specials will battle it out in this endurance spectacle, while the race paddock will host off-track activities and entertainment. - TradeArabia News Service