Middle East Karting Cup To Draw Sports Tourists & Inspire Future Champions
Cairo, 17 September 2006: Sports tourists will have a further pull to Egypt and the UAE with the Middle East Karting Cup.
The Middle East Karting Cup brings to the region the best of the best in the exhilarating open-wheel, precision-control motorsport of karting, long considered the first step for any serious racer and the stepping stone for many Formula One champions such as Michael Schumacher.
The Middle East Karting Cup, sanctioned by the Commission Internationale de Karting of the international motorsport governing body Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (CIK-FIA)*, brings forth its adrenaline rush in four rounds from January to June 2007. It kicks off with the first round from January 24 to 27 at the Kartdrome in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. The series comes to Ghibli Raceway in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt for the second round from February 28 to March 3 and then returns to Dubai for round three from April 26 to 29. Egypt takes center stage again for the final Cup round from June 20 to 23.
This culmination to the crowning of a champion will be made all the more thrilling with a special celebrity race alongside round four. Already confirmed to participate in the celebrity race are Mohamed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile & Touring Club for UAE; Ragheb Alameh and Kimi Raikkonen as invited by Ben Sulayem; and numerous other motorsport stars and celebrities to be confirmed in the near future.
This two-year deal through to 2008 is organized by regional motorsport pioneers Ghibli Raceway in conjunction with Thunder Arabia the Middle East leading Single Seater Racing School based in the Bahrain International Circuit. To make sure the inauguration of the Middle East Karting Cup comes out in its best form, the organizers contracted Europe's leading karting event organizers, RGMMC.
"The Middle East Karting Cup marks the dawn of a new era for motorsports like karting," states Ghibli Raceway Chairman Hany Soufrakis. "It serves as a critical development feeder for higher motor sport formulas for all aspiring Middle East nations seeking a place in the fast-developing motor sport world." He continues, "Many of today's racing stars started in races just like this, which prompted the series slogan, 'Inspiring Future Champions' - so watch the action every step of the way to get to know the future local champions of internationally accredited motorsport."
* Subject to CIK-FIA approval
It is large-scale events with a big draw like the Middle East Karting Cup that can be credited for increasing the profile of Egypt as a leading destination for sports tourists. "Sporting enthusiasts already know Egypt for its world-class diving and more recently its golfing, dune buggying, and even sandboarding and kite-surfing," explains Soufrakis. "Motorsport and karting have also been increasingly popular in Egypt, especially since Ghibli Raceway has hosted the prestigious Rotax Max Challenge World Finals in 2004 and many high-profile corporate events since on our top-notch circuits. Now we're raising the bar again with the Middle East Karting Cup."
"RGMMC is proud and honored to be part of this pioneer event", stated the company's General Manager Roland Geidel. "We believe strongly that the Middle East can produce world class kart races equivalent to any of their counterparts in Europe." He continued, "The Middle East Karting Cup will be open to drivers from around the world, similar to the 28-country Euro Challenge which RGMMC also organizes and promotes. The MEKC concept encourages regional kart drivers to take part in an enjoyable and professional atmosphere in an international arena, putting them on the path to a successful career in motorsport. RGMMC's highly professional team, all of whom are used to working within the CIK-FIA domain, will work together with the organizers to develop and deliver an exceptional championship."
In addition to Mr Soufrakis, and Mr. Sherif Al Mahdy - Thunder Arabia Marketing Director, the speakers at today's press conference included Vice Chairman & CEO of the Automobile & Touring Club of Egypt, Kotb Soliman; Vice President & Head of Middle East & Africa Division of the Federation International d'Automobile (FIA), Derek Ledger; General Manager of RGMMC, Roland Geidel; and Motorsport Director of Bridgestone Corporation, Peter Lohri.
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About Ghibli Raceway:
Ghibli Raceway is the Middle East's leading circuit for the exciting motorsport of karting. Located in the Egyptian resort town of Sharm El Sheikh, it is one of only four tracks in the world that is built to the latest and highest licensed requirements of the FIA, the official global association for motorsports including Formula One. Ghibli Raceway was home to the most popular international FIA motorsport competition in the world, the Rotax MAX Challenge World Finals in 2004, which attracted competitors from 38 countries. Ghibli has also hosted prominent figures such as the King of Bahrain, seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher, and numerous entertainment stars.
About Thunder Arabia:
Thunder Arabia is the only independent motorsport company in the Middle East that provides the first steps towards developing racing talent for the region's top young drivers. In addition to training drivers across the Middle East, Thunder Arabia has also organized the region's first single-seater championship and launched national racing teams in Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia, & United Arab Emirates. A chief current activity for this motorsport and driver development company is organizing the inaugural Middle East Formula Championship which is already underway and continues through to November 2006.
