From its original inception in 2007 Al Ain Raceway has built a strong reputation as a state-of-the-art International race circuit with an emphasis on providing accessible, safe and enjoyable karting experiences for all ages and abilities and has positioned itself as a leader in karting and corporate entertainment venues not only in the United Arab Emirates but globally.
Since then the CIK/FIA sanctioned circuit has hosted numerous high-profile events including product launches, company events, the AARKC National race series (UAE Rotax MAX Challenge) and the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals - an impressive week-long International tournament which has seen phenomenal growth in the last 5 years. After 2007's highly successful Grand Finals at Al Ain Raceway, the event returned in November 2011 where the bar was raised again with what has since been heralded as the greatest karting event held.
It is our ongoing mission to be an active presence in establishing Al Ain and the emirate of Abu Dhabi as a world-renowned centre for Motorsports excellence. All current Formula 1 drivers began their careers from a very young age in karts so it is our strong determination to establish a racing academy to educate and develop young drivers at this fundamental level, and create a platform from which drivers can progress to top-level Motorsports through the right channels with the right support.
We sincerely welcome you to Al Ain Raceway and wish you an enjoyable journey through our website, hoping that you will be a frequent guest to our impressive venue and an enthusiastic witness to Al Ain Raceway’s development over the future years.
Thank you for your continued support and please always feel free to share your thoughts with us.
HE Khaled Bin Shaiban Al Mehairi
Chairman, Al Ain Raceway
Al Ain Raceway is a modern, world-leading International Kart Circuit located in Al Ain, within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Brain-child of Company Chairman, local businessman and keen Motorsports enthusiast, Khaled Bin Shaiban, this outstanding facility has fast established a global reputation as the Middle East’s most prestigious karting and corporate entertainment venue.
As the official UAE distributor of Rotax Engines, Pro Motorsports (later to become Al Ain Raceway after inception of the race circuit) had the responsibility of founding and organising the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC). The RMC is a National Championship series which takes place in numerous countries around the world, overseen by Rotax and sanctioned by the CIK/FIA (world Motorsports governing body).
The series organisers of each national RMC select qualifying competitors to represent their nation in the annual Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF).
Although low in numbers, the 2005 UAE RMC was a success and Managing Director, Antonio Kekati, led a small crew with one driver to represent the UAE at the 6th RMCGF held in Malaysia. The following year, interest grew and 4 drivers were selected to compete for the UAE in the 7th RMCGF in Portugal.
At this event, the time, effort and support invested by Bin Shaiban and Kekati were rewarded as the UAE received worldwide recognition with Marwan Al Tayer achieving 3rd place in the world. This landmark result for the UAE was the first time any driver from a Middle Eastern nation had made it onto the podium in a World Class karting event.
Spurred on by their remarkable successes and the resulting positive attention and prestige brought to the region, much more was to follow. It was a long-term plan of Bin Shaiban and Kekati to open a world class karting facility, not only to promote the growth of motorsport in the UAE but also to nurture the talents of young UAE nationals, the ultimate objective being to produce a UAE driver capable of competing at the pinnacle of the sport, Formula 1.
In December 2006, a site in Al Ain became available for lease and Pro Motorsports wasted no time in seizing this long-awaited opportunity. In addition to getting underway with building and circuit plans, Pro Motorsports also undertook an agreement with BRP-Rotax to organise and run the RMCGF 2007, scheduled to take place the following November! So Al Ain Raceway was born.
The RMCGF 2007 was hugely successful. However, in the build-up, there was much concern that the facility would not be ready in time to host the event. It took a Herculean effort from Bin Shaiban and his team to prove the doubters wrong and, true to their word, the facility was fully functional in time for the arrival of the 216 qualified drivers from all around the world.
The success of the RMCGF 2007 led to a tighter partnership being formed between BRP-Rotax and Al Ain Raceway, and with the venue continuing to establish itself as a flagship facility on the International stage, Al Ain Raceway was chosen to host the event for a second time in November 2011. With support this time from Yas Marina Circuit, Strata and Tawazun as well as backing from Abu Dhabi government, the RMCGF 2011 proved to be even better than 2007 and, after months of intense preparation, Al Ain Raceway welcomed a record 265 drivers from over 60 countries to take part in what has since been acclaimed to be the greatest karting event of all time.
As far as Al Ain Raceway is concerned, this is still only the beginning...
Words cannot describe the amount of effort, research, investment, personnel, organisation and commitment that would follow over the next 12 months. This annual event had grown to be the single largest in the global karting calendar with 186 competitors participating in the 2006 Finals in Portugal from just under 50 countries.
To run an event of this magnitude and prestige, the circuit had to meet the highest international standards as dictated by the CIK/FIA. Additionally, to accommodate the expected number of visitors, the facility had to be equipped with spectator viewing, VIP areas, media rooms, administration areas and restaurant quarters, not to mention the extra buildings required for secure storage of parts and the 3600m2 covered area needed for the drivers and their teams to work under throughout the week-long event.
There were many obstacles through the run-up to the 2007 Rotax MAX Challenge Finals that hindered progress and a number of first-hand reports made their way back to Rotax HQ in Austria that “the venue would never be finished in time” but, with a dedicated team of professionals working around the clock, Al Ain Raceway successfully hosted the largest ever Grand Finals – 216 drivers from 60 countries converged on the City in November 2007 with their friends, families and support crews. They were joined by representatives from the worldwide Rotax Distributor network, as well as swarms of national and international media. In excess of 100 race and organisation officials from countries such as the UK, Austria, Italy, Germany and Belgium, many of whom were top professionals, flew in to assist with the event operation and to witness the spectacular proceedings.
Widely hailed as the best ever Grand Finals, from official driver registration on 24th November through to the prize giving party which followed the final races on 1st December, the spectacle really was something to behold. From a driver′s perspective the circuit was extremely popular, rated by many to be among the top 3 in the world, and the experienced officials were united in their opinion that Al Ain Raceway’s Rotax Grand Finals was, by some margin, the biggest, most well-organised and professional event they had ever been involved with.
Antonio Kekati led a strong Al Ain Raceway sponsored UAE team to the 2008 Grand Finals in Italy and was overwhelmed by the many individuals, drivers and officials, who expressed appreciation for the previous year’s experience, asking when they could return. The UAE team once again achieved superb results, the most impressive being Maurits Knopjes, who finished 3rd in the world in the DD2 Master class.
After 4 years of patient expectation, those wishing to return will have their chance in 2011 when the RMCGF’s return to Al Ain Raceway.
Following additional development and infrastructure, Al Ain Raceway opened to the public in summer 2008 and now operates 6 days a week, from Monday to Saturday.
In addition to professional Championship events run by the Al Ain Raceway Kart Club, a range of activities is available from drivers 7 years and upwards, from beginners to serious enthusiasts, on one of several distinctive circuit configurations.
For Junior drivers (7-15 years), karting experiences are possible for individuals or groups. Basic practice sessions run throughout the week according to circuit availability and party bookings secure exclusive hire of the track for your own private group. A “Race School” programme has also been developed primarily to train young drivers both behind the wheel and in the classroom. This is an ideal introduction to the sport of karting under the supervision of the experienced Al Ain Raceway Race Team.
For individuals or small groups aged 16 yrs and above, “Arrive & Drive” sessions operate daily in 13hp karts which are capable of over 100kph, each fitted with revolutionary steering-wheel mounted display screens so you can monitor your progress while driving! “Open Races” are also scheduled regularly for those wanting to compete against like-minded racers in organised race formats. Al Ain Raceway has internationally trained instructors who are able to conduct private tuition sessions for those intent on developing and honing their skills – extremely useful if you are going to be challenging your friends in a future event! Tuition sessions are also available on professional, race–prepared karts although evidence of previous experience is required. For private or company events, Al Ain Raceway also has a range of formats and packages which can be tailored to suit specific requirements, from fewer than 10 drivers right up to large groups of 300+. If you are looking to host a meeting for your top clients, launch a new product or motivate your staff with a team building event, Al Ain Raceway provides the perfect location. Substantial spectator viewing areas exist on 3 levels, one of which containing a restaurant with panoramic view of the circuit itself. Al Ain Raceway also has conference facilities to accommodate business meetings, presentations and seminars as part of a complete entertainment package. With a Kart Shop on site along with engineering workshop and secure kart storage bays, Al Ain Raceway could also be the place to buy, maintain and store your own personal race machine!From its original inception in 2007 as a state-of-the-art International Race Circuit, Al Ain Raceway underwent significant development in order to expand its audience and become the finest public kart circuit in the Middle East and beyond. The facility oozes innovation and now provides one of the most outstanding corporate entertainment venues in the region.
The range of services has also improved with special, customised karts designed and manufactured to accommodate children from 7 years and upwards.
Al Ain Raceway has evolved from being host to an “enthusiast” market to being able to cater for all abilities and ages.
People can come along for basic individual practice sessions and, at the other end of the spectrum, attend massive corporate functions with hundreds of drivers competing. There is definitely something available to appeal to everyone.
Additionally, we house a kart storage facility for drivers with their own karts and a technical workshop which maintains, sets up and develops race karts and engines. A kart shop provides customers with a wide range of safety wear for professional and amateur use.
The customer service, equipment, professionalism and expertise on offer EVERY DAY (not just for high profile guests/events) compare favourably with all our competitors in the immediate region and beyond.
For further details on Al Ain Raceway download our Company Profile.
Al Ain Raceway is an exciting and dynamic work environment with a creative approach and a strong emphasis on attention to detail.
We are always on the look-out for talented and like-minded individuals to join our team.
We are always on the look out for new, dynamic team members to assist with the running of our daily operations. Your duties will not just be restricted to assisting customers with their karting experience, but will extend to kart maintenance, minor servicing operations, grounds maintenance and event operations. You will form an integral part of the team in order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for our customers.
At Al Ain Raceway our engineering department is set aside from the competition by the manner in which our mechanics approach their work. As a Race Engineer you will be working in our busy kart workshop to help service and maintain our various fleets of kart. Full training will be given, however, this position is best suited to people with motor vehicle mechanical knowledge or with a similar background.
We are looking for mature, lively, team members to meet and greet visitors and provide a strong front-of-house presence. Successful candidates will have proven reception experience in a customer-orientated environment and be able to deliver a supreme customer experience.
If you feel you are the right person for the job then we’d love to hear from you. All you need to do is e-mail your up-to-date resume to info@alainraceway.com.
