BIC honours 2009 karting champions

Bahrain International Circuit recently honored the newly crowned champions of Bahrain’s first-ever Rotax National Karting Championship.

Seniors division winner, Bahraini Ali Dadi, and junior’s winner, Egyptian Omar Fareed, were among the top awardees during an impressive prize-presentation ceremony held at Inter Continental Regency Hotel in Manama.

Celebrating with them at the event were Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Chief Operating Officer at Bahrain International Circuit; Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa Legal affairs Manager and Vice-president of the Karting Club, Circuit Official; Ian Yarwood, General Manager at championship sponsors Castrol; Sean Murphy of organizing company Karting4ME; and Abdul Aziz Al Thawadi, General Manager of Bahrain Motor Federation.

Championship officials were extremely pleased with the events that transpired in the inaugural season, which was dubbed a great success by everyone, especially each of the participating drivers who all greatly benefited from the experience. Muprhy later gladly announced that Castrol would continue as sponsors of the highly competitive and popular series for a second season.

The year saw plenty of action in each of the season’s eight rounds – from the qualifying runs to the opening races and pre-finals and finals – and the grand finale capped the championship in a fitting and exciting way.
Dadi claimed the seniors title despite losing the final race in round eight, which was won by Graham Pervis ahead of vice-champion Darren Di Mattia and Wesley Carr. Dadi struggled after being relegated to the back of the grid as he missed the pre-final with mechanical problems.

Among the juniors, Fareed clinched the victory for a perfect ending to fine season. He finished ahead of Ryan Hesp who came second and Tariq Al Mahal in third.

The results saw Dadi come away with enough points in the finale to edge out Di Mattia for the seniors victory. Dadi finished with 509 points ending the season, followed by Di Mattia with 480.
Bahraini Bader Haider ended the season in third place, while Mohammed Al Alawi and Lee Stones were fourth and fifth.

Al Alawi and Stones were Dadi’s greatest threats heading into the final round, but neither was present during the last weekend due to other commitments.
In the junior championship, Fareed tallied 545 to claim his top placing in the group. Christian Yarwood from the UK was the season’s runner-up with 493 points despite retiring from the last race. Hesp was third on 464 points for the season.

Organizers have promised an improved timing system for the next championship, as well as bigger and better prizes. Plenty of new drivers are expected to join, with of course many from this season’s field returning for a repeat campaign, which would undoubtedly make for a more exciting challenge with plenty of close racing.