Dubai: The first day of practice, for the second round of Middle East Karting Cup (MEKC), got underway at the Kartdrome at Dubai Autodrome today.
The cream of the region's karters are in town to compete in the inaugural three round series which culminates with the Finals on Friday, 1 March. It was always going to be the local UAE based drivers who set the early pace as track familiarity played in their favour.
It was local hero Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum who immediately set the track alight by claiming the fastest lap in the first Rotax Max Seniors session, nearly a second fastest than his next rival, claiming the psychological high ground.
He continued to dominate throughout the next two sessions and has established himself as the man to beat.
UAE based Ashraf Raza posted the second fastest time and Iranian Mahyar Mirmoradi fractionally slower in third place.
In the second Senior practice session UAE based Scott Latham was second quickest behind Shaikh Hasher, Raza and Mirmoradi.
The "foreign" drivers were soon showing their true colours when in the third practice for seniors Mirmoradi snatched second with a spectacular lap with Jordanian champion Hamza Dirani claiming third and making his presence felt as he became familiar with the nuances of the Dubai Autodrome.
Today will see the running of the pre-finals for juniors starting at 10am, pre-final for seniors at 11.50am, the junior final at 2.30pm and the MEKC culminating with the senior final at 4.30pm.
