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Middle East Karting Cup
Round # 2 @
Dubai Autodrome
Austrian
Kevin Reichard
played the waiting game to perfection to
win the Senior Rotax Max Final race of
the second round of the Middle East
Karting Cup (MEKC) at the Kartdrome at
the Dubai Autodrome on Saturday, 1
March. After two opening days of
dominance by local hero Sheikh Hasher Al
Maktoum the Austrian ace timed his
attack to perfection by peaking in the
Pre-Final and stamped his authority with
a commanding drive to victory in the
Final. In the Junior category Edward
Jones was simply untouchable posting a
well deserved and popular win.
The signs of
Reichard’s intentions and capabilities
were there throughout the build-up to
the final day, although Al Maktoum set
the pace and topped the timing sheets,
Reichard was only fractionally slower
prompting some to correctly predict that
he was saving the best for last – and so
it transpired. Starting from pole
position Reichard miscued the start
allowing Al Makotum to take the lead but
it was short-lived as the Austrian
pounced and retook the lead where he
stayed until the chequered flag dropped,
winning by over 8 seconds. The victory
is his second in a row, in the series,
as last month he won the first round of
the MEKC at Sharm Al Sheikh – the
championship now appears to be a mere
formality for the Austrian
Reichard said of his victory, “It
was a good race for me. I spent the
previous two days learning the Kartdrome
and following Sheikh Hasher. I knew I
could do it as by the Final my kart was
well setup for the circuit. It was a
good week of racing and I am very happy
to win in Dubai.”
Al Maktoum was demoted to third after
Reichard’s move as Scott Latham made an
opportunist move to claim second. The
two battled it out for runner-up spot
until the halfway mark when Al Makotum
past but by then the leader was nowhere
in sight. The two continued to circulate
in tandem with Al Makotum taking second
place and Latham the third and final
spot on the podium.
 Italy’s
Piero De Marchi finished fourth after a
race long duel with Iranian Sayed Farhad
and UAE’s Saeed Al Maherri.
Al Maktoum said after the race, “It was
disappointing because we had the pace to
run with Kevin (Reichard) but I got into
a battle with Scott (Latham) which put
us out of touch, with the leader, to
challenge for the win. I must
congratulate Kevin who is a very good
driver and he deserves his victory.”
In the Juniors Rotax Max class Dubai
born and based Edward Jones was simply
the class of the field and his task was
made easier by the absence of,
potentially, main challenger Shahaan
Engineer who jetted off to France for
kart testing on Friday after the heats
on Friday. Neverthless Jones found an
impressive vein of form and really the
question was who could stop him on the
day? In the end none of the Juniors had
an answer and he powered to a well
deserved start to finish victory. Behind
him diminutive Syrian Pierre Georges was
the best of the rest, managing to cruise
to an equally unchallenged second place
ahead of Jordan’s Othman Abu Sabra.
Jones said of his win, “It was good to
win on my home track. I never thought
back on my first day accident and was
focused on winning. Halfway through the
race I allowed myself to think about the
win. I dedicate the win to my father
Russell Jones, the rest of my family and
mechanic Kieron Knightley.
Final Race
Results
Middle East Karting Cup - Round 2 at the
Kartdrome Senior Results - Final
1. Kevin Reichard (Austria)
2. Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum (UAE)
3. Scott Latham (UAE based)
4. Piero de Marchi (Italy)
5. Sayed Farhad (Iran)
Junior Results
- Final
1. Edward Jones (UAE based)
2. Pierre Georges (Syria)
3. Othman Abu Samra (Jordan)
4. Raza Amirnemati (Iran)
5. Mazen Badawy (Egypt)
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MEKC 2008 Latest News |
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| Cairo, 2nd March 2008 |
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Middle East Karting Cup TAKES KARTING TO A NEW LEVEL |
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The exciting and glamorous second round of the Middle East Karting Cup (MEKC), organized by Egypt’s Ghibli Raceway, took place at the Dubai Autodrome in the UAE. After two opening days of dominance by local hero Sheikh Hasher Al Maktoum, the Austrian ace Kevin Reichard played the waiting game to perfection to win the Senior Final race of the second round of the MEKC yesterday. |
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read more.. check gallery.. |
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| Dubai, 28 February 2008 |
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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... |
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read more.. |
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| Cairo, 19 January 2008 |
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The finales of the first round at Sharm El Sheikh |
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It all came to this important day after the past days build up with adrenaline at its max every thing was ready for a great finale. The weather condition was ideal with Sun shine and lots of spectators who turned out to see the Final.
The day started with the pre finale for the junior category. Consisting of 15 laps the winner was the Russian driver who had proven to be the favorite to win the finale. |
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read more.. |
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check gallery.. |
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| Cairo, 18 January 2008 |
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First round witnessed a very good turn-out |
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Competitors considered Friday the first real day of racing, after the practice and qualifying sessions of Thursday, it was obvious that Friday's qualifying heats are promising a very competitive races for junior and senior drivers of this very first round of the 2008 Middle East Karting Cup which witnessed a very good turn-out as 24 drivers of 9 countries showed up for this prestigious challenge, drivers from Jordan, Syria, Libya, UAE, as well as Russia, Austria, Italy, Germany, and of course Egypt, gathered under the warm sun of Sharm El Sheikh to show off their racing abilities in a championship that's considered the newest addition to the CIK calendar... |
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read more.. |
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| Cairo, 17 January 2008 |
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The start of the opening round ! |
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Organizers of Middle East Karting Cup (MEKC) are proud finally to announce the start of 1st opening round of this exiting CIK-FIA series in Sharm El Sheikh, after an especially problematic birth, not least the parts and chassis of some drivers arriving late on the morning of day 2 of the opening round due to a mix up by DHL, the freight forwarding company. This issue put the organizers in the difficult position of having to cancel the first days track sessions for all participants... |
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read more.. |
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check gallery.. |
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| Cairo, 16 January 2008 |
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Israeli participation causes controversy for the ATCE |
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The subject of Israeli driver's participation in MEKC 2008 was brought up against the Automobile & Touring Club of Egypt (ATCE). The accusation has caused huge controversy in the media and among the Club of Judges where the current chairman of the ATCE, Counselor Mokbel Shaker, current Head of the Egyptian High Court is one of its most senior members. |
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read more.. |
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check other press releases.. |
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| Cairo, 14 January 2008 |
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Spectacular Press Conference held at Automobile
& Touring Club of Egypt (ATCE) |
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More then 55 members from press and 5 TV channels in addition distinguished guests attended a spectacular press launch for the
Opening 1st round of Middle East Karting Cup (MEKC) being held in Egypt.. |
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read more.. |
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check gallery.. |
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| Cairo, 10 January 2008 |
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Extra: Nile FM & Nugoom FM, confirmed as media sponsor |
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Nile Radio Production, the company behind the hottest media brands of Nile FM & Nugoom FM have confirmed participation as media sponsors for the Middle East Karting Cup 2008 championship. The agreement has been made by Ahmed Ali, Deputy General Manager of Ghibli Raceway with Ahmed Fahmy, Network Director of Nile Radio Production.
6 to go. Be there...... |
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| Cairo, 10 January 2008 |
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Extra: Virgin Megastore, confirmed as sponsor |
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Virgin Megastore has now confirmed a strategic alliance with Middle East Karting Cup organisors to be the Main sponsor for the 2008 championship. The agreement has been made with Basel Felfel, Marketing Executive at pioneering retailer. Many exciting promotions and marketing exercises are promised from these two exciting brands. Promotions will be made in Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo & Dubai branches of Virgin Megastore and ofcourse at Ghibli Raceway and the Dubai Autodrome for the durastion of the 2nd round on 27 February - 1st March, 2008.
6 to go for the exciting start of the opening round in Sharm El Sheikh.
Definitely be there....... |
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| Cairo, 8 January 2008 |
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Extra: Protrain Racing to manage the MEKC championship races |
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Protrain Racing the UK's leading karting outfit is now confirmed to manage all the races for the Middle East Karting Cup 2008 championship. Led by Steve Chapman, formerly Chairman UK Motor Sports Association Kart Sporting Committee (MSA) &Chairman Association of British Kart Clubs, Steve brings with him a very experienced crew to oversee all aspects of the race and thus ensure the high standard of refereeing is produced for the championship. Steve Chapman originally put together the team that ran the Rotax MAX Challenge World Finals held at Ghibli Raceway in January 2004, almost four years ago. This was the same team that has since been the key members of the team that has run all Rotax MAX Challenge World Finals since that date with the exception of the Finals held in Malaysia. As championship organisers we are happy to continue the excellent cooperation and look forward to their invaluable input for this years championship. Protrain will replace RGMMC whom pulled out out of the running of the championship.
The countdown has now begun, less than 8 to go for the exciting start of the opening round in Sharm El Sheikh. See you all there. |
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Cairo, 6
January
2008 |
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Extra:
Iran
joins
the
Middle
East
Karting
Cup |
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One of
the
largest
and fast
growing
countries
in the
region,
Iran has
formally
registered
drivers
for the
first
regional
CIK-FIA
sanctioned
championship
taking
place
within
10 days.
In
addition
to the
original
35
drivers
already
registered,
another
4 from
Iran
have
registered
for the
championship.
Furthermore,
out of
the 5
drivers
from
Syria, 3
are now
not able
to come
anymore,
however
a
Belgian
national
kart
champion
(of
Syrian
descent)
has
registered
over the
weekend
in the
junior
class.
Therefore
the new
net
total of
drivers
competing
in the
Opening
round in
less
than 10
days is
now 37
in all,
with 15
countries
being
represented,
of which
8 are
now from
the
Middle
East. 13
of which
are now
in the
junior
class
and 23
are in
the
senior
class.
The
countdown
has now
begun,
less
than 10
to go
for the
exciting
start of
the
opening
round in
Sharm El
Sheikh.
See you
all
there. |
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Cairo, 3
January
2008 |
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Extra:
Driver
registrations
to date |
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The
Middle
East
Karting
Cup
organisors
can now
confirm
that 35
drivers
in all
have
registered
for the
championship
to date,
of which
23 are
seniors
and 12
are
juniors.
This is
comprise
of 14
nationalities,
of which
7
nationalities
are from
the
Middle
East and
the
other 7
representing
European
nationalities.
More is
expected
over the
upcoming
days as
we
approach
the
final
days
prior to
the
start of
the
existing
Opening
round of
the
championship.
See you
all in
Sharm El
Sheikh,
remember
the
Opening
round is
in less
than 2
weeks.
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