Batelco karters dominate 12-hour race

Batelco Racing Team put on a dominant performance in winning the 12-hour endurance race held this past weekend at Bahrain International Circuit’s (BIC) VIVA Karting Track in Sakhir. The event was the first of two rounds in the 2012/2013 Bahrain Karting Endurance Championship, organised by VIVA Karting Track in cooperation with the Bahrain Motor Federation and BIC. The race flagged off under floodlights at 9pm and concluded the next morning at 9am. Competing amongst a field of 10 squads, many of whom featured karters with international experience, Batelco were a class above the rest and they went on to secure their second victory in as many weekends. The Bahrani outfit had previously won a 24-hour race in Dubai, and they were looking to continue their fine form at home. Batelco secured first place with a total of 548 laps. Their winning quartet was captained by Ali Abbas, and it featured Mohammed Mattar, Alban Varuttii and brothers Ramez and Rami Azzam. Taking the runner-up spot was another Batelco team, the Batelco Racing Mechanics, who also ended the challenge with 548 laps. They were, however, 0.141 seconds behind their teammates at the chequered flag. The Mechanics were composed of Khalid Alsaei, Abdulla Buhindi and Ali Baslar behind the wheel, and were captained by Ali Alqumaish. Claiming the final podium step in third place was the Information Affairs Authority (IAA), who completed a total of 544 laps. Skippered by Hamad Al Fardan, the IAA karters included Shaikh Fawaz Al Khalifa, Raed Raffii, Yahya Ali, Saeed Almeairi and Qamar Saleem. Rounding out the final classification at the end of the demanding half-day event were MMC Racing Team in fourth, Saudi Falcons in fifth, Team Delta Racing in sixth, Racer Times in seventh, Delta Racing Falcons in eighth, BIC Team in ninth and Porsche Club Bahrain in 10th place. At the end of the first round, Batelco Racing lead the championship standings with 50 points. Batelco Racing Mechanics are second with 47 points, while the IAA are third on 45 points. MMC have 43 points, Saudi Falcons 41 points, Team Delta Racing 39 points, Racer Times 37 points and Delta Racing Falcons 35 points. BIC Team have 33 points and Porsche Club Bahrain 31 points in the final two places. The next and final round of the 2012/2013 Bahrain Karting Endurance Championship is scheduled to take place on March 15 and 16 of next year. It is set to be a 24-hour event, and even more exciting racing is expected. BIC’s VIVA Karting Track is a Category ‘A’ circuit rated by the Commission Internationale de Karting (CIK), which is under the umbrella of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile. The facility was designed and built to complement the existing motorsport infrastructure at BIC and to provide a destination which could be enjoyed by adults, families and children alike – whether they are spectating or competing. The main CIK-FIA Track layout has 14 turns. It is homologated for the highest level of international racing and is topographically challenging as it combines a great mix of sharp corners and level changes. For more information on racing at VIVA Karting Track, visit www.bahrain-karting.com or call +973-1745-1745.