• Emirati drivers dominate Round 1 of the SWS Ramadan Challenge
• Big field of drivers enter to do battle for big prizes up for grabs
Emirati drivers were in fine form during the opening round of the 2015 SWS Ramadan Challenge at the Kartdrome on Monday, taking the top three podium spots on a hot Dubai night of tough on track battles.
Ali Al Mansoori, delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, to claim victory in the Grand Final after a race long duel with Saeed Al Mehari, the latter using some time off from military service to contest Round 1 and only fell short by a mere 0.114 of a second as the pair crossed the line side-by-side.
Atef Al Barwani had to work hard to claim third place, and make it three Emirati drivers on the podium, as he held off the relentless challenges of fourth placed Muhammad Imran, Hussein Umid Ali in fifth and Ali Al Najjar sixth – the quartet crossing the line nose-to-tail within a couple of seconds of each other.
Dubai Falcons Racing Team manager Hadi Al Bloushi donned his race suit and helmet to finish seventh, ahead of Piotr Karykowski in eighth, Lee Broadbank ninth and lady racer Nadia Khan rounding out the top ten.
Former Rotax Max DD2 campaigner Arnoud Bouf won the SWS Masters, defending champion Carsten Winter in second and Gary Jones third.
An impressive array of prizes will be up for grabs in the this edition of the SWS Ramadan Challenge, including:
• 1st – Fully funded Rotax Max race meeting with Energy Kart Dubai
• 2nd – Audi R8 Experience
• 3rd – Audi TT Experience
• 4th – Single Seater Experience
• 5th – AED 1000 OMP Merchandise
• 6th – AED 750 OMP Merchandise
• 7th – AED 500 OMP Merchandise
• Top placed UAE National – Fully funded Rotax Max race meeting with Tonykart UAE
• Masters 1st – Audi R8 Experience
• Masters 2nd – Single Seater Experience
• Masters 3rd – AED 1000 OMP Merchandise
Kartdrome manager Ryan Trutch commented: “A big thanks to the sponsors of the prizes. Particularly Energy Kart Dubai and TonyKart UAE who have put their money where their mouths are to provide great prizes, showing their invaluable support for grassroots motorsport in the UAE.”
The remaining three rounds take place on 29 June, 6 July and 13 July – with the first two and final race at the outdoor Kartdrome and the third round in the RaceRoom at the indoor Kartdrome.
Note: The 2015 SWS Ramadan Challenge at the Kartdrome counts towards the Sodi World Series rankings.
About the Sodi World Series (SWS)
Dubai Kartdrome is part of the Sodi World Series – an International Leisure Karting Ranking based on driver results collated from different SWS races (around the world). The points scored from each partner event are calculated during the course of 30 races per year to establish the International Leisure Ranking and a ticket to the annual Sodi World Series Grand Final.
