Page 36 - UNION PROPERTIES GENERAL REPORT - March 2024
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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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