Motor Gymkhana today at OAA

The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) is returning to thick of action this Ramadhan by bringing back the Gymkhana motor sport after a gap of six years.

After the season of international and local drift series during the opening up of the pandemic restrictions, the OAA is now targeting the enthusiastic motorsports fans for weekend thrills.

On Friday, the Muscat Speed Arena will witness the action-packed motorsport of Gymkhana.

“We will try to entertain our loyal fans with many options we have in motor sports. We want to involve the youth and sports enthusiasts in their favourite sports,” OAA Chairman Brigadier (Retd) Salim bin Ali bin Khalifa al Maskary said.

The Gymkhana competition consists of two cars competing against each other at the same time on an obstacle course. Contestants will be allowed to drive their daily-use cars on the track at OAA’s Muscat Arena, where the competition will be held.

Although the OAA had organised the single-car competitions in the recent years, the twin-car contests are returning for the first time after 2016.

The event will start from 8 pm with an award ceremony for the winners ending the night.

OAA Managing Director Suleiman Al Rawahi hoped the drivers will put up some memorable excitement for the fans.

“As every occasion, we expect good turnout of motor sports enthusiasts and the OAA has completed the arrangements for the participants to perform their best.”

There has been a good turnout in the number of men and women participating in the challenge with a total of 47 drivers.

ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE

Also on Friday, the OAA will hold the final round of the Rotax Max Challenge at its Muscat Speedway karting track.

The Rotax Max Challenge is a motorsport race formula for race karts where team-mates race individually, giving it their all to win a ticket to the World Grand finale, which is held once a year.

Muscat Speedway Manager, Sanad al Rawahi said: “In our case we don’t have the tickets yet because OAA has just recently started conducting these races. So, for the time being, the drivers registered are open to any expectations from the championship, as they enter to compete and have fun by setting further goals to improve their racing skills.”

The participants will need to have their own karts or can rent them through the OAA facility on the day of the challenge. Drivers will need to undergo a racing licence test where they should pass to receive their racing licence to compete in the event.

The race will begin at 8 pm with an award ceremony for the winners taking place by the end of the night.

Enthusiasts can visit the OAA main office for tickets and registration. Ramadhan working hours are Sunday to Thursday, from 9 am to 1.30 pm.

GYMKHANA PARTICIPANTS

Zaher al Shaqsi, Nabil al Riyami, Ali al BalushI, Riyadh al Mabsali, Said al Rashdi, Saif al Jahwari, Salim al Rawahi, Mohammed Juma al Amri, Mohammed al Maaimani, Falah al Falahi, Mutasim al Balushi, Ammar al Balushi, Zakariya al Ofi, Laith al Mawali, Nofel al Balushi, Mustafa al Maamari, Halima al Balushi, Areej al Hoothi, Asma al Sharji, Mahfoodha al Saadi, Rajwa al Fajri, Dalila al Darei, Sara al Sarhi, Modhi al Balushi, Maha al Amri, Zainab al Hasni, Saada al Touqi, Nihal al Balushi, Bothina Nagman, Bahja al Balushi, Mohammed al Rashdi, Emad al Balushi, Muhannad al Balushi, Abdullah al Balushi, Ahmed al Raisi, Warith al Kharusi, Ghassan al Harthy, Abdullah al Touqi, Mohammed al Hadi, Hamed al Harthi, Mundhir al Manji, Faris al Adawy, Mohammed al Balushi, Jawad al Lawati, Wail al Shaibani, Al Wadhah al Suhaili and Salim al Omairi.