The event attracted over 100 top drivers from fifteen countries and was showed on live TV across the region. Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Yemen all took part in the event for the most popular form of motor sport in this part of the world.

Oman clinched home victory in the Nations Cup accumulating a total of 952 points and finishing well ahead of second-placed Moroccan team (575 points), while UAE completed the podium with 417 to its name. The youngest participants who competed in the RMC Micro Max category were eight years old.

The event took place in parallel with the FIA Sport Regional Congress MENA, also held in the country’s capital,in the presence of the FIA President Jean Todt, FIA Deputy President for Sport Graham Stoker, FIA Vice-President for Middle East Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Deputy Vice-President for Middle East Imad Lahoud and OAA Chairman (R) Brigadier Salim Ali Khalifa Al Maskiry.

FIA President Todt expressed his satisfaction with the facilities and organisation of OAA during the official opening. “Karting is the stepping stone for all the major motor sport events in the world, including F1 and Rallying. Karting is the only way to go professional so it needs all the support it can get in terms of sponsorships and infrastructure.” 

“I’m glad Oman is hosting the MENA Karting Championship and wish all the success for the future as well,’’ he added.

The MENA Karting Championship concept is the final evolution of significant contributions from many member clubs over the past few years in developing the scheme. Supported by the FIA Sport Grant Programme, the championship is designed in a manner that in future years the event can rotate at venues around the region. 

“This is a great example of the FIA family working together on a regional basis to help grow the popularity of motor sport with young people “said Mohammed Ben Sulayem “ We have some of the world’s most iconic events, now we need to identify and develop the best young talent to make those events more sustainable “

“With 15 Nations participating, the MENA Nations Cup Karting Championship is a great platform to promote motor sport”, said Brigadier Salim Al Khalifa Al Maskiry, Chairman of the Board of Directors of OAA. “We are seeing the growth of motor sport in the region, especially in Karting”, he concluded.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem thanked Jean Todt for attending and said the region is already working on plans for a bigger next year to build on the success of the first event.

About the Oman Automobile Association (OAA)

Oman Automobile Association is a sole regulator, operator and the promoter of Motorsports in Sultanate of Oman such as Drifting, Motorkhana, Karting, and Rallies to name a few, hosting an average of over 60 motorsports events and activities in a calendar yearly.

OAA promotes and develops all sporting disciplines through motorsports grassroots, and Road Safety the highest priority, has become the innermost goal to fuel & generate International and local sports events throughout the region putting us on the global sporting map in the future that could foster and enhance a sense of national pride.