Backgrounder:
Middle East Karting Cup 2009 - Inspiring Future Champions.
The CIK- FIA sanctioned Middle East Karting Cup (MEKC) is a professional series in the exciting motorsport of karting, considered the stepping stone to Formula One racing. The championship's stated aim and objectives is for it to serve as a critical development feeder for higher motor sport formulas for all aspiring Middle East nations seeking a place in the fast-developing motor sport world after successful completion of its establishment year with over 28 drivers from 9 countries; 45 local, regional and international journalists; 5 television stations, the championship can be said to have enjoyed significant success and media interest.
The 2009 championship takes place from early December 2008 till July 2009 over four rounds in the regions only homologated circuits, which are The Kartdrome in Dubai, U.A.E. and Ghibli Raceway, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. The two categories of the championship are Juniors (13 – 16 years of age) and Seniors (17+). This year MEKC 2009 championship will include three rounds all organized at Ghibli Raceway International Track in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
In association with Melody TV and the Inner Wheel charity, as per last years championship where the likes of Hamid El Shaeri, Nelly Makdissi, Dolly Shahine, Jad Choueri, Simon Hadchiti and Maria Nalbandian attended and competed, another celebrity charity race will accompany the final round of the championship.
This championship event is sanctioned by the CIK-FIA, the Commission Internationale de Karting of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile *.
As per the slogan of the CIK-FIA sanctioned championship, "Inspiring Future Champions", the championship organisors will sponsor the top drivers of each category the privilege of competing with Europe's elite drivers in the prestigious Bridgestone Karting Cup taking place in Europe in October.
The championship is being organized by Ghibli Raceway, the leading karting facility in the Middle East, one of only a handful of homologated tracks and facilities in the world built to the highest CIK- FIA standards. Ghibli Raceway has also had the honour of hosting the Rotax MAX Challenge World Finals the most international (38 countries) and popular (+7,000 competitors) FIA sanctioned motor sport formula in January, 2004 in its world class Sharm El Sheikh facility. The championship is still recognized as being the benchmark for which all other World Finals are being judged upon. As a result of our exceptional state of the art facilities and location, Ghibli has hosted many of the racing world’s best known names including Micheal Schumacher, David Coulthard, Paul Stewart, Gianni Morbidelli, etc. Outside of the racing world, Ghibli Raceway has had the honour of hosting VIP’s such as the King of Bahrain, and many other Arabic and European music and film stars.