MUSCAT: Commencing this Tuesday the 13th till the 17th of December, the Middle East and North African Karting Championship Nations Cup 2022 will be taking place at the Muscat Speedway Circuit at Oman Automobile Association.
This year, registrations have been opened up to the international candidates, who will take part in most of the racing categories. This has led to 138 qualified drivers entering the competition from 15 different countries around the world.
OAA Managing Director, Sulaiman al Rawahi said: “I have to say, it has been a pleasure hosting this competition for the past three years and this year we hope it to be one of the best.
“The drivers who have come here to compete have shown us all the potential they hold, and with each year, you see them better than before. The stakes are high and the competition gets tough, and in this kind of championship it is difficult to say who will take home the winning cup.”
There will be eight karting categories in which the drivers will be separated into: DD1, DD2 Master, RD1 Sprint, RD1 Endurance, Junior Max, Mini Max and Max.
Team Oman Racer, Mohamed Issa Al Balushi, 36, said: “I feel proud that such a big event has continued to be arranged and hosted for the third time in Oman. It is a golden opportunity for all local and regional kart drivers, mechanics and team managers to meet and share their experience and compete against each other in a fair manner, under the umbrella of the FIA and showcase their driving skills to the expected level to achieve a win.”
This year is Mohammed’s second year to participate in this championship series and has been racing at a professional standard for the last three years.
He said: “Last time I was so close in securing the DD2 Master Class category, but due to a mechanical problem I had to complete the race with half the speed which costed me the title.”
Also representing Oman, 16-year-old Chris Sutton said: “MENA karting championship will be my biggest race so far. This will be my first time participating in the championship and I am looking forward to getting out on track with the other drivers.”
Chris began go-karting six months ago, and ever since then, he had gotten in the rhythm of racing by participating in a couple of the Oman and UAE Rotax Max Challenge tournaments.
He added: “I hope to carry this momentum into MENA.”
Ex Formula One French racer, Erik Comas will be participating in the RD1 Elite Endurance category and will be representing Oman along with his racing partner Luca Blasio.
Muscat Speedway Karting Manager, Sanad al Rawahi said: “We are looking forward to what this competition will bring with famous drivers participating including last year’s world Champion finalist for Mini Max, Christopher Feghali from Lebanon.
“This championship series is based on challenging races between well renowned professional drivers and this is because the MENA Cup is considered to be one of the strongest karting tournaments out there that brings out the best talents.”
Sanad explains how a lot of work goes into taking care of even the smallest technical detail to host such a competition.
He added: “What we have is something unique and through that we play a huge role in producing karting champions amongst the Middle East and North African regions and this time, I hope Team Oman takes the win for this Nations Cup.”
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
