Young Emirati karting star Rashid Al Dhaheri’s stellar year has been capped off by recognition for the Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi 2019, where he has been nominated for Favorite Sports Star. The awards will take place on Friday 20th September 2019 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Center (ADNEC).
Rashid said “I am so happy to be nominated for this award and its great to be recognised alongside some amazing sporting talents of the Arab world. It’s a great deal of encouragement and I am glad that people are interested in what I have done with my karting.”
The excellent year by the 11-year old has seen him achieve a great deal including 2019 World Series Karting Super Master Champion and World Series Karting Euro Series Champion, both in the Mini Series category. This all in his first season with Parolin Racing Kart. This sees him well on track to achieve ‘Objective 2025’, where Rashid will become the first Emirati racing driver in Formula One. This comes as motorsport has become of growing importance to UAE sport, as the annual Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Yas Marina Circuit and Dubai Autodrome have increased momentum towards a robust culture of UAE racing.
Coach and ex-Formula 2 Champion, Italian Fausto Ippoliti said “Karting has long been and remains the best platform to get into car racing and is teaching Rashid a lot of race craft. After three seasons, Rashid is making its mark through high-end championships. This year he enters the most competitive European series. Rashid’s progression has stemmed from his significant commitment and demonstration of brilliant kart control. Over the last season, he upped his game and started winning regularly.” Rashid joined Parolin Racing Kart at the start of this season for World Series race participation including the WSK Karting series in Europe, Italian Championship and many others. Parolin Racing Kart specialises in racing and rental karts, components, accessories and engines. Parolin’s innovative spirit and creative approach in finding new technical solutions has helped it to widen a presence worldwide. The company is now known extensively as one of the most important and youngest kart manufacturers.