Collaboration with Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF)

24-Hour Endurance Karting coming to Saudi Arabia

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - November 12, 2023

The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) agreement with Tracks Motorsports Management Company, to prepare for the launch of the 24-hour kart endurance race. Tracks Motorsports will organize and setup a dedicated karting circuit in accordance with the FIA international safety standards and approved by SAMF for kart racing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was signed by Sattam Al-Hazami, SAMF – CEO, and Mubarak Al-Rumaidhi, General Manager of Tracks Motorsports Management Company, the company that owns the rights to promote and organize the 24 Hours Kart Endurance Race.

On this occasion, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, Chairman of the Board of Directors of SAMF, elaborated that kart racing is the first step in the world of motorsport. Karting is the foundation that has developed the most famous racers in the world for Formula 1, such as Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. His Highness pointed out that SAMF has a goal to develop and refine the talents of young people in this sport and take them to the professional level that qualifies them to compete with their fellow racers in the world of motorsport.

His Highness said: “Kart racing will contribute to creating a new style of educating young people about the dangers of racing on the roads and will enhance the trend towards community awareness and encourage them to participate in motorsports championships that receive local and international accreditation for safe racing and in accordance with FIA safety requirements. With the supervision of the Federation and with the presence of official bodies such as the Ministry of Interior – Civil Defense and the Ministry of Health – First Aid and Ambulances, in addition to various media outlets for the coverage of the event.

For his part, Sattam Al-Hazami, CEO of SAMF, said: “The Federation shows great interest in the youth category, as this category constitutes the roots that nourish this sport, and we in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are in dire need of preparing a new generation of young athletes and developing and refining their skills to ensure sustainability.” "Karting is the beginning of the path to ensuring the sustainability of motorsport in Saudi Arabia. It is the factory of champions in the field, from which racers set off towards higher championships such as rallies or circuit racing in its various categories."

Mubarak Al Rumaidhi, General Manager of Tracks Motorsports, confirmed that the 24-hour race gives the opportunity for young people to participate and gain experience from such an event. The race is open for both genders to participate from young boys and girls to men and woman. He also added that participation in the race consists of teams between 4 and 12 drivers, as the race is divided into two categories: Juniors from 14 years old and above, and Seniors from 20 years old and above. This race is considered the first edition to prepare and qualify the drivers for the upcoming kart racing series, which will be announced after the 24-hour race, emphasizing that the main goal is continuity to hone local talent and advance.

Al-Rumaidhi said: “With the Kingdom's Saudi vision rising in the past years, it has been a priority to support the growth of sports in general and supporting young athletes in various sports. We at Tracks Motorsports believe that they are the pillar of the future and the driving force for the economy, especially motorsports, by opening new businesses and job opportunities. We consider their encouragement a social responsibility which comes within the framework of the company’s targets to achieve such goals. Connecting with the young people and encouraging them to practice their passion towards motorsports, which has already attracted many of them. Our focus and interest is to organize professional racing events on temporary karting circuits, under the supervision of SAMF, making our events governed and sanctioned by the Federation.”

Al-Rumaidhi also called on private sector companies, especially car dealers, to support the race and the participating teams, hoping to be an example to follow in contributing to building and developing the motorsport sector, noting that registration details and dates will be announced soon.