Final dash at Bahrain karting finals

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

The Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (RMCGF) 2025 are headed to the final two days of high-octane action this weekend at Bahrain International Karting Circuit (BIKC) in Sakhir.

Following four days of action-packed running from Monday to today, including non-qualifying practices, qualifying practices, and qualifying heats, the stage is now set for the sessions that matter the most – the pre-finals happening today and finals tomorrow.

All eight categories in the RMCGF are set to feature on both days of intense grassroots motor racing, namely the Micro MAX, Mini MAX, Junior MAX, Senior MAX, DD2, DD2 Master, E20 Senior, and E20 Master.

The RMCGF is one of the biggest events in the world of karting held each year, and it has brought nearly 400 of the sport’s very best to the Kingdom, representing 60 nations worldwide. All are welcome to attend the last two days of racing and enjoy the incredible wheel-towheel battles featuring roaring Rotax engines, screeching tyres, packed grids, and moments that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Entrance is free of charge and will be on a first-come, firstserved basis. BIKC will be opening its gates to fans from 10am until the end of track activity on each day, except today, when spectators can access the circuit from 4.30pm.

Amongst the field of karters competing this week are Team Bahrain, who are represented by 11 drivers.

Flying the Kingdom’s flag on their home track are Tariq Soofi racing in the Micro MAX class, Shaikh Ahmed bin Saqer Al Khalifa and Jude Andrews in the Mini MAX, Demir Abali and Rashid Hilal in the Junior MAX, Tye Mejia in the Senior MAX, Abdulla Sajjad and Abdulqader Qasem in the DD2, and Yousif Alaali, Vedant Menon, and Mohammed Alhasan in the E20 Senior.

The Team Bahrain talents have been holding their own against their counterparts from overseas – showcasing the quality and impressive prowess of the Kingdom’s motorsport-loving community.

This year’s RMCGF marks the third time in five years that Rotax karting’s most prestigious occasion is being held in Sakhir, following the success of the previous events in 2023 and 2021.

The competitors are lighting up BIKC’s 1.414-kilometre CIKFIA track with sessions in both daytime and night conditions.

BIKC was designed to the highest international standards and is capable of hosting world championship races under the CIK-FIA. The track made motorsport history in 2012 when it became the first karting venue ever to host a world championship-level event at night, thanks to BIKC’s high-specification floodlight system.

Drivers such as Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, George Russell, and many more, who are all amongst the biggest stars in Formula 1 today, have competed at BIKC during the early years of their careers.

For more information on this year’s RMCGF, visit bahraingp. com, call the BIC Hotline on +973-17450000, or follow the circuit’s official social media channels.