Having hosted some of the most prestigious motor sporting events in the world including the Formula 1 races, Abu Dhabi can rightly be described as the motor sporting epicentre of the Middle East. Home to the world’s first ever Ferrari World theme park the country also houses some of the region’s most engaging racing venues and karting facilities as well. Built with state-of-the-art technology the circuits and racing tracks in Abu Dhabi are the envy of the world, making the desert hub a veritable treasure trove of opportunities for racing and motorsports enthusiasts as well as visitors.
One of the country’s premier venues for motor sporting activities is of course the Yas Marina Circuit & Yas Kartzone. Hosting the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix annually this world class circuit is also deemed one of the most challenging tracks in the globe. Seasoned enthusiasts can bring their own vehicles along while a variety of vehicles are also available for trainees at the Yas Racing School where visitors can get lessons from experts and drive across the entire Gran Prix route. Drag racing fans on the other hand can head to the Yas Drag Racing Centre with its very own drag strip to engage in the thrilling activity or simply observe drag racers strut their stuff on the strip.
The Yas Kartzone includes an extensive fleet of Karts including Cadet Karts for kids aged below 12 and Karts geared for adults. Open from 2pm to 10 in the night the entry fees at this go-karting hub is nominal to say the least.
Kalifa City’s Al Forsan International Sports Resort also offers 4 varied circuits or tracks to hone one’s skills. These include a main Commission Internationale de Karting approved track, a kid’s circuit, an off-road region as well as a drifting track. The main CIK circuit boasts 25 pit garages that are perfect for testing endurance while the 2km of the dust-free off-road route is equipped with mirrored loops for twin car racing capacities.
The Middle East’s biggest go-karting surface however is located at the sprawling Al Ain Sportplex which also houses a 1.4km race track. Hosting the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals annually the AI Ain Sportsplex also offers visitors other sporting activities such as paintball challenges, football and cricketing facilities as well.
Travellers in search of elegant Middle East hotels will find no finer alternative to the establishments under the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels Middle East chain. Offering guests a plethora of UAE hotels in strategic locations around the region this well-known name in hospitality pulls out all the stops when it comes to unforgettable desert holidays.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
The history of the proud tradition of horse racing can be traced back to the ancient civilisations of the Greeks and Egyptians while additional evidence also indicates that horse racing was practiced in Babylon and Syria as well. As time progressed, this beloved sport was considered an industrious affair during the Roman Empire but its title, the “Sport of the Kings” can be traced directly to the British royalty’s passion for the sport.
