Rashid Al Dhaheri ends 2016 season in style
UAE’s young karting star finishes on podium at Ayrton Senna Trophy
ABU DHABI, UAE, Dec 14: Rashid Al Dhaheri, the UAE’s most exciting young karting star, completed his 2016 European karting season in style, finishing on the podium at the prestigious Ayrton Senna Trophy at Circuito di Napoli in Sarno last Sunday.
The Abu Dhabi schoolboy, racing for the Babyrace team, was part of a field of 58 drivers in the 60cc Mini Class at the event named
KART RACING
after the late, Formula 1 great Ayrton Senna. Eight year old Rashid was the youngest in the category for 8 to 12 year old drivers.
Due to the number of drivers (58), the Mini class was split into two groups for qualifying, Rashid set the fastest lap in Group A which gave him a fifth place starting slot when the group times were combined.
In Heat 1, Rashid was in contention for the lead and ended the heat in P3 with P1, P2, only just ahead of him. In an action packed Heat 2, he started from third but dropped down the order after a chaotic start. However, the 8 year-old rose to the challenge and started to pick his way through the field. At the end of the Heat 2, Rashid made a memorable pass at the end of the main straight into the tricky Turn 2, passing two drivers to claim the first position.
In the Final, the Emirati youngster started from fourth and from the moment the track went green he was in a thrilling battle for the lead, with half a dozen rivals slugging it out at the front. Positions changed with every lap and he crossed the line inP5, a mere second down on the winner. Due to the size of the grid the top five positions were awarded trophies.
Rashid said: “It was tough to start the Final from fourth on the grid, being surrounded by experienced and older drivers, 3 years older than me. I stayed focused and managed a good start by concentrating on my driving, this was the key to the good result. I had a lot of fun in Italy this year and learnt a lot at the same time.”
Allowed Rashid to close in, stalk the leaders and then make another shrewd move to win the heat.
Babyrace team Founder and Principal Sandro Lorandi said: “It was not an easy race weekend for Rashid, who was one of the youngest of the field. However in characteristic style he established himself as one of the front runners from the start of the event.”
“No doubt his older and experienced rivals, who are the main front runners, have something to worry about when they see such a talent. Next year looks very promising for the boy from Abu Dhabi!”
The Ayrton Senna Trophy brings Rashid’s 2016 European karting campaign to an end, but he will be back in action at select events in the UAE karting calendar as time permits but mainly prepare for a very challenging seasons 2017 in Italy.