U18 Karting spectacle sets BIC track alight

Bahrain International Circuit’s (BIC) world-class VIVA Karting Track was buzzing with activity today as motor racing’s “Legends of Tomorrow” kicked off the third and final round of this year’s CIK-FIA U18 World Karting Championship and CIK-FIA Karting Academy Trophy. The event marks karting’s first-ever world championship-level races ever to be held in the Middle East, while also being the first-ever CIK-FIA races taking place at night. Commemorating the momentous occasion, BIC Chief Executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa commented: “We’re delighted to be hosting the ‘Legends of Tomorrow’ in this third and final round of the under-18 world championship and academy trophy. “This event marks a very special milestone for Bahrain International Circuit and for motorsport in the Middle East in general, and we’re pleased to be at the heart of it. “I wish all the karters the very best for the weekend. It’s going to be an exciting three days of racing action and off-track entertainment, and we look forward to seeing the new under-18 world champion crowned alongside the winner of the academy trophy.” Action got underway on the track with the first Non-Qualifying Practice sessions for all participants. Frenchman Antoine Rocard and Thomas Michael Bale representing the UAE were among the day’s early pacesetters. Rocard was competing amongst even numbered drivers in the first Non-Qualifying Practice of the under-18 world championship, while Bale was in the even numbered group of drivers for the first Non-Qualifying Practice of the academy trophy. Also today, Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK) President Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa was present at the track. Shaikh Abdulla, who is also the Bahrain Motor Federation President and a World Motor Sport Council member, took the time to interact with the participants and also toured the facility prior to the start of racing. Action continues Friday (November 9). Racing will take place from 12noon beginning with more Non-Qualifying Practices and continuing later in the day with Qualifying. Everyone is invited to the track for this mega event that must not be missed! General admission is completely free of charge. Spectators will be able to enjoy all the action seated along two specially erected grandstands which can hold up to 500 persons apiece. They overlook turns two and three on the track, offering an exciting vantage point. Meanwhile, fans looking for an exclusive experience can purchase Paddock Tickets costing BD10 each. Paddock Tickets allow holders access to the Paddock area where they can meet some of the rising talent and their teams, plus enjoy special seating along a special grandstand right above Parc Ferme. ROCARD AND BALE TOP EARLY TIMES Antoine Rocard of France and Thomas Michael Bale representing the UAE emerged fastest in the opening Non-Qualifying Practice sessions of their respective competition categories. In the under-18 world championship, Rocard led the way amongst even numbered drivers in their first of three sessions. Using a Sodi chassis, Rocard clocked a quickest lap of 57.136 seconds. Martin Henckel Mortensen (FK) of Norway was leading for most of the run, but he had to settle for second place after finishing 0.132s off the pace. Countryman Frederik Schandorff (FK) was third 0.275s behind. Briton Hannah Pym (Intrepid) came fourth 0.383s back as the quickest amongst the girls. Jacob Parsons of Australia (Top Kart) was fifth 0.484s adrift. The top eight classification was completed by British drivers Sam Webster (ART GP, +0.613s), Ricky Collard (ART GP, +0.689s) and Fergus Greensmith (Intrepid, +0.696s). Bahrain’s Shaikh Ali bin Mohammed Al Khalifa (Swiss Hutless) was ranked a solid 17th in the session. He was the first of the four Bahraini drivers competing in the round to see action. Shaikh Ali had a fastest lap of 58.281s. In the academy trophy, Bale had a fastest lap of 57.567s. He was 0.309 seconds quicker than Spain’s Javier Cobian, while season leader Joonas Lappalainen of Finland followed in third 0.309s behind. Mattia Drudi of Italy (+0.461s) was fourth, Giuliano Raucci of Brazil (+0.511s) was fifth, and Briton Alex Gill (0.524s) was sixth. Paolo Besancenez of France (+0.538s) and Christopher Dreyspring of Germany (+0.732s) rounded out the top eight. Another two sessions were held well into the night for even numbered drivers in both the under-18 world championship and academy trophy. Odd numbered drivers in both championships also took to the track for their Non-Qualifying Practice sessions. Bahrain’s other drivers – Adeeb Kuzbar and Abdulla Al Thawadi in the under-18 world championship and Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa in the academy trophy – also got into their karts later on in the evening. FULL DAY OF ACTION HIGHLIGHTED BY QUALIFYING ON FRIDAY The Bahrain meeting is divided into four main stages. These include the Non-Qualifying Practice, the Qualifying Practice, the Qualifying Heats and the Final Phase. The Non-Qualifying Practices were held today with six 15-minute sessions each for participants in the under-18 world championship and the academy trophy. Another three Non-Qualifying Practice sessions will take place Friday from 12noon, to be followed by eight-minute Qualifying Practices. A driver’s best lap time during Qualifying Practice will be counted towards the session’s final classification, which will then determine another set of drivers’ groupings for the ensuing Qualifying Heats. In these Qualifying Heats, also taking place Friday, each group will face one another in separate heats of 11 and eight laps. Drivers will be awarded points based on each heat’s finishing order, and the top 34 will move on to the Final Phase, which is slated for Saturday (November 10). MEDIA ACCREDITATION TENT NOW OPEN All international and national media members interested in covering the race weekend must have official credentials jointly issued by Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) and the Commission Internationale de Karting. Media who applied for these may pick up their event passes at the Media Accreditation Tent located at BIC’s car park number six, right next to the spectators’ entrance of the karting track. The tent opened today between 3pm and 7pm, while on Friday will be open from 10am to 6pm. On Saturday, the tent will also be open between 1pm and 7pm. FANS TO ENJOY FUN AND ENTERTAINMENT OFF THE TRACK Plenty of colourful attractions for all ages are on site throughout the race weekend. These are set to include a series of fun games, children’s carnival rides, roaming acts, arts and crafts stations, live music and other enjoyable activities. Amongst the games that will be on hand are air hockey, a basketball shooting game and a ladder race game; while rides include a human gyro, a miniature train ride, a whale carousel ride, an elephant bouncy castle and an airplane slide. Spectators will also be able to watch a wide array of acts perform right before them, such as a roving magician, stilt-walkers and stilt-cyclists, and a series of roaming cartoon characters such as Ben10, Bob the Builder, Aladdin, Sinbad and Shrek. Meanwhile, live acts will also be performing on stage including a local rock band as well as a local variety band. Traditional food items will also be cooked on site for all to enjoy, while plenty of other food and beverages will also be available. For more information on this highly anticipated event, visit www.bahrain-karting.com or call +973-1745-1745. AHN