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MEKC 2nd Round (Day 2) |
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The show finally got underway for the 2nd Round of the Middle East Karting Cup 2008 championship being held in Dubai, UAE at the Autodrome after what can only be described as a most disheartening first day (Wednesday 27th February, 2008) when the organisors main shipment of two 40" containers finally cleared customs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi by the Saudi border. Confirmation of clearance only came on midnight of the end of the rounds first day. As a result the organisors were forced to cancel all track action as most competitors equipment hadn't cleared their karts.
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In no small part to the tremendous efforts and help of the Kartdrome staff the paddock setup was completed for the start of the 2nd day of the round. Familiarity with the track was clearly of advantage in what can only be described as a highly technical track was apparent in the score sheets of the first day of track action. Sheikh Hasher Maktoum was hero of the MEKC 1st day of practice for the Senior category sessions that took place on Thursday 28th February at the Dubai Autodrome. The practice witnessed the best drivers from the region and some of the elite international drivers who were all invited to take place in the first event of its type in the Middle East.
The local drivers, including the ones living in the UAE were the fastest in the first practice sessions due to their awareness of the track, weather conditions, and it was logical for them to be the top runners. Scott Latham and Ashraf Raza were really setting their mark after Sheikh Hasher Maktoum, before Kevin Richards, the Austrian champion and our own MEKC 1st round champion along with Hamza Dirani the Jordanian Champion emerged to score the 2nd and 3rd fastest times of the day consecutively.
On the other hand in the Rotax Max Juniors, it was again the same scenario with UAE based drivers taking the lead with Sahaan Engineer, who had an outstanding achievement as he started racing kating for the first time. Jordanian Othman Abu Samra found his grit and as the sessions went on and along with Pierre George, both scoring 2nd and 3rd fastest times consecutively.
Friday is set to host the Pre-Finals for both Juniors & Seniors, and the races are open to spectators to come and enjoy a wonderful experience of not only the nation's, but the region's cream karters. The race is on for the search for the Middle East's kating champion.
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