AARKC Awards Presentation Evening 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai

The 2011-2012 AARKC champions were finally crowned at last night’s awards evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dubai.  All the trophy winners and their respective entourages were present in what was a highly successful evening.  There were many other drivers who had not won trophies also in attendance showing support for both the series and their fellow competitors.  After a brief welcome address from the Clerk of the Course the guests were treated to a fantastic buffet dinner.  The trophies were then handed out to all 7 classes.

The evening formally brought the curtain down on the AARKC Rotax MAX Challenge 2011-2012 season, and again we would like to pay our thanks to HE Khaled Bin Shaiban – Al Ain Raceway’s chairman – for making the series possible. Thanks also go to HE Mohammed Ben Sulayam and Matthew Norman of the ATC UAE for the governance and hands-on assistance throughout the year. The Hilton Hotel Al Ain also deserves recognition for supplying AARKC members with discounted rates at their resort for race weekends. Al Forsan International Sports Resort and Dubai Autodrome have once again been tremendously supportive of the series and we look forward to working with them again next year. 

We also owe a huge amount of thanks to our sponsors Yas Marina Circuit, Strata and Tawazun.  Finally, the last round of thanks goes to not only the drivers, but their support teams too.  Whether it’s mum and dad, close friends or the mechanics, the series wouldn’t exist without you.  Your continued support of the series is greatly appreciated.

Once all the trophies had been handed out and the champagne was flowing we were able to catch a few words from selected drivers.

“I’m really happy with my year.  I would like to thank Al Ain Raceway and the other Mini MAX drivers for racing with me.  I also want to thank my parents for allowing me to race, I am happy to have made them proud of me.” 

Tehmur Chohan, Mini MAX Champion 2011/12

“I feel really great and I’m really excited about next year.  I would like to thank Al Ain Raceway for the series, and of course a big thank you to my parents for supporting me.  I am very proud to be a Cadet Champion as next year I will race Junior MAX.  I won’t be able to score points until after Christmas because of my age but I am looking forward to getting the experience.” 

Taymour Kermanshahchi, Cadet Champion 2011/12

“The second half of the season for me turned out really well, the first 6 races were certainly a learning curve.  But the last few races especially went my way and next year I’ll be going for the win.”

Oliver George, DD2 Runner-up 2011/12

“I’m very happy.  The season was very close, certainly the closest season I’ve ever competed in, and as far I know the closest in UAE karting history.  The whole season went down to the final race of the final round where one of three drivers could have taken the winner’s spot.  I started the season really well, and then I had a string of mediocre results in the middle of the season, a result of my work commitments.  Fortunately I kept my head together when it mattered and came home with the title win.  The word I’d use to describe my title win?  Lucky, very lucky!” 

Andrew Fuller, MAX Master Champion 2011/12

“I’m very happy to have won my second championship.  It was a very competitive season and I’m glad to have qualified for the Grand Finals again.  Thank you to Al Ain Raceway and of course my father for sponsoring me.” 

Abdullah Al Rawahi, Junior MAX Champion, 2011/12

“It was a hard competition for me this year.  I tried my best to stay at the front; I know it looked like I was running away with it a lot of the time but it was never easy.  There are some very good drivers in Senior MAX, like Nikita and Raffaele, of course Philippe and Piers also, so there is no time to rest.  I am pleased that Abdullah [Al Rawahi] won the Junior class, and I am looking forward to the Grand Finals in Portugal in November.” 

Sanad Al Rawahi, Senior MAX Champion, 2011/12 

“I’d like to thank Tony and Guy first of all, and of course Richie McLeod, my friend and mechanic.  It’s been an amazing year and I’m very happy to have won the championship.  This has been the toughest year since I used to race with Scott [Latham] and Hasher [Al Maktoum] in Senior MAX.  You never knew which way it was going to go next.  I would like to say thank you also to Al Ain Raceway, we have a small karting scene in UAE compared to Europe, and the fact that they held the Grand Finals last year was tremendous for all of us, it really lets the karting world know we are here.” 

Maurits Knopjes, DD2 Champion, 2011/12  

“It’s been another terrific season for UAE karting.  I would like say a big thank you to my team at Al Ain Raceway, Guy, Alex, Marty, Gina, the mechanics, marshals, receptionists and race team.  So much goes on behind the scenes it is really warming to see how many people appreciate it.  5 years ago we only had about 15 drivers across all the classes, now we are consistently seeing over 50 drivers per meeting, and it’s a testament to the vision of HE Khaled Bin Shaiban.  Karting in the UAE is growing, more rapidly now than ever, and next year we get to add a 4^th circuit to the series, the Yas Marina North Circuit.  Once again I would like to say thank you to all the drivers, mechanics and parents who continue to support us and make the series what it is.” 

Antonio Kekati, Managing Director, Al Ain Raceway

You can check out some photographs from the evening by clicking here.

Marty Fullard