Page 44 - UNION PROPERTIES GENERAL REPORT - March 2024
P. 44

3/13/24, 10:49 AM              Young UAE Motorsport Drivers reaping the Rewards of being Nurtured at “Dubai Autodrome”

        Young UAE Motorsport Drivers reaping the
        Rewards of being Nurtured at “Dubai Autodrome”









































              The venue’s karting facility, “Dubai Kartdrome”, was the starting point for Keanu Al Azhari
              and  Rashed  Al  Dhaheri’s  motorsport  careers,  who  competed  in  the  recent  UAE  F4
              Championship.
              Al Azhari, who finished third in the championship, says the venue played a vital part in his
              development as he aims to continue his rise to the pinnacle of motorsport.

        Dubai, 11th March 2024: Since 2004, “Dubai Autodrome”, a subsidiary of Union Properties, has been
        helping  produce  future  motorsport  talent.  This  season  was  no  different  with  some  of  its  karting
        graduates delivering strong performances in top regional competitions.
        UAE-born Keanu Al Azhari, who began his motorsport journey at “Dubai Kartdrome” in 2013, recently
        finished third in the F4 UAE Championship, eight points behind the overall champion.
        Another who came through “Dubai Kartdrome” was fellow “Yas Heat Racing” driver, UAE’s Rashed
        Al Dhaheri. The Emirati once nicknamed ‘The Little Alonso’, is a five-time Dubai O Plate champion,
        finishing fourth in the F4 UAE championship.
        Matteo  Quintarelli,  Sebastian  Murray  and  Zack  Scoular,  who  also  competed  in  the  F4  UAE
        Championship,  along  with  Federico  Al  Rifai,  who  is  currently  competing  in  the  Saudi  F4
        Championship and ranked third overall in the championship, are also among the growing list to have
        taken their first steps at “Dubai Kartdrome”.
        Al Azhari has happy memories of the venue and is grateful for the support that has helped shape him
        to become the driver he is today. He believes karting has been an instrumental part in his career so
        far.
        The 16-year-old said: “I remember the first time I drove at the Kartdrome when I just turned 5 years
        old and I loved every second of it. Karting was always a tough competition, but thankfully I had a lot
        of success. I look back on fond memories, including winning the IAME UAE Championship in X30
        Junior and finishing alongside my brother Adam to take a P1 and P2 for the family.”

        “I also took part in several Sodi World Series endurance races alongside my father Karim and my
        two brothers Adam and Enzo. Racing alongside your family is one of the best memories you can
        have as a driver.”

        He added: “I have learned almost everything I know as a driver from karting, especially the racing
        aspect  of  it.  Competing  in  races  around  the  UAE  and  at  “Dubai  Kartdrome”  have  prepared  me


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