Top karters set for exciting endurance challenge

Bahrain’s leading racing teams will be battling it out Monday (June 25) evening in an exciting two-hour endurance kart race, to be held at Bahrain International Circuit’s (BIC) world-class VIVA Karting Track in Sakhir. The event will be the second of six endurance challenges scheduled over the next few months, with each meeting comprising different race durations. The opening event was held in May and it was also a two-hour competition, won by Nawaf Al Malood Racing. They managed to register a winning total of 109 laps around VIVA Karting Track’s 1.176-kilometre Club circuit. The victors, who were led by Bahraini racing ace Raed Raffii, are once again expected to be amongst Monday’s field. Other teams who excelled from the previous event, along with many other new squads, are expected to join. Action gets underway at 7.30pm with free practice. Qualifying and the race follow. All are welcome to attend and cheer for their favourite karters. Entrance for spectators is free of charge. Following the pair of two-hour events, back-to-back six-hour races have been slated for July 30 and August 13. Two mega events will then follow: a 12-hour endurance event that will take place on October 12 and 13 and then a 24-hour event on November 16 and 17. Results in each of the meetings count towards the Sodi W Series, which is an international leisure karting ranking. This gives the best performing drivers and teams an opportunity to qualify for the Sodi W Series Grand Final, an event that brings together the top participants from across the globe. The endurance challenge is open to interested teams composed of drivers aged 15 years old and above. Those who are under 18 must have completed parental authorization forms in order to take part. Teams may represent corporations, schools, private clubs or groups. For Monday’s race, teams may comprise a minimum of two drivers and a maximum of four. For six-hour races, a team must have a minimum of three drivers and a maximum of six. The 12-hour and 24-hour races require bigger squads; they must have at least four drivers and a maximum of 10 on each team. Entrants will be provided with their karts for each round of racing, with each squad being supplied a Sodikart RX7/270cc. No technical modifications will be allowed on the karts. The cost of competing in Monday’s two-hour event is BD190 per team. The ensuing six-hour challenges cost BD460 per event per team. The 12-hour endurance event is BD850 per team, while taking part in the 24-hour challenge costs BD1,600 per squad. Those wishing to take up any remaining slots for Monday’s two-hour race may register online at www.vivakartingtrack.com or by e-mailing karting@bic.com.bh. For further details on any of the upcoming endurance races, call VIVA Karting Track on +973-17-451745 or e-mail karting@bic.com.bh. Complete details on rules plus sporting and technical regulations can be obtained from event organisers. More information on the Sodi W Series is also available on www.sodiwseries.com.