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The Pre-Final was won by Reichard from Dirani and Piero De Marchi. It was a most impressive drive by De Marchi who left the circuit on the first turn of the opening lap before setting off to clear the field half a lap down.
Othman Abu Samra, the 13 year old son of Maarouf Abu Samra the rally Champion, won the Junior Final to take the championship from under the nose of long time championship leader Pierre Georges (Syria). It was a heart braking day for the 12 year old Georges. He won the Pre-Final but was denoted 2 places for causing collision with Abu Samra.
For worse was to follow in the Final when he took the Parade lap but then suffered mechanical failure on the Formation lap. A Non – start deprived him of any points, and Abu Samra, his nearest championship rival was able to drive to an easy race victory that was also good enough to win the championship.
Russian Nikita Ashevsky looked set for 2nd place until a mechanical defect robbed him of his chance. Amin Soufrakis (Libya) took 2nd place with Ashevsky holding on to 3rd place.
Nine countries were represented in this Final Round with Africa, Asia and Europe all involved. A Celebrity Race was also on the program and Jad Sawaya was the double winner.
The superb Ghibli Raceway was bathed in sunshine throughout and this inaugural running of the Middle East Karting Cup was voted success.
It is the newest international karting series on the world Karting Calendar and Series Promoter Hany Soufrakis has already outlined his exciting plans for 2009. It all promises to achieve the prime objective namely to increase awareness of kart racing and an increase in kart racing drivers in the Middle East region.
Ken Walker.
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