Dubai Kartdrome Welcomes Aspiring Motorsport Drivers for F1-Collaborated Global Karting Series

Dubai, 11th October 2024: “Dubai Kartdrome,” a subsidiary of Union Properties, proudly hosted more than 100 rising motorsport talents in the latest round of the Champions of the Future Academy (COTFA), a global series in collaboration with F1 Academy. This initiative aims to create opportunities, promote female participation, and increase diversity in karting competitions.

The event marked a significant milestone as “Dubai Kartdrome” hosted the fourth round and the first outside Europe, drawing 102 karters from 32 countries. Among the participants were 22 UAE-based drivers, including graduates from Dubai Autodrome Karting Academy (DAKA), such as Conor Clancy and Mohammed Mneimneh, who triumphed in their respective Junior and Senior races.

Clancy, a 13-year-old former Dubai O Plate champion, expressed his excitement, saying: “The competition was intense, and I’m thrilled to have won the race. This experience has taught me a lot, especially about improving my race starts and timing my acceleration. It’s been an invaluable part of my development.”

Nine-year-old Atiqa Mir, the first female to win at the Rotax Max Challenge International Trophy in Le Mans, finished fifth and fourth in her races. She highlighted the importance of competing in a mixed grid, saying, “It was a challenging but rewarding race, and I learned so much that will help me in future competitions.”

Maxim Bobreshov, a 12-year-old with six years of karting experience, also celebrated a win. He noted, “Competing against top talent was a fantastic opportunity, and winning here at ‘Dubai Kartdrome’ has boosted my confidence for future global events.”

As the championship moves forward, the final two rounds will be held in Al Ain and Al Forsan in the UAE. The event aims to make karting more accessible to global enthusiasts, with F1 Academy backing three female drivers in each mixed-gender category.

Hosting COTFA strengthens “Dubai Kartdrome’s” reputation as a premier karting facility in the Middle East. The venue continues to nurture local talent through initiatives like DAKA, a 10-week after-school program focused on STEM learning, driving skills, and mechanical training, preparing students for a future in motorsport.

James Geidel, President of RGMMC, praised the expansion into the UAE: “After extensive visits, Dubai was the clear choice to launch our 2024 UAE program. The ‘Dubai Kartdrome’ offers an exceptional location and world-class facilities, and we are excited to return for many years.”

Faisal Al Sahlawi, General Manager of “Dubai Autodrome,” added: “It was an honor to host this round of COTFA. The event aligns with our mission to cultivate future motorsport stars, and we were thrilled to see so many talented young drivers, especially those from our academy, compete on an international stage.”