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PIF-owned Saudi Entertainment Ventures to bring Formula E karting attractions to the Kingdom

PIF-owned Saudi Entertainment Ventures to bring Formula E karting attractions to the Kingdom
Formula E has partnered with PIF-owned Seven to bring karting attractions to the Kingdom. (Supplied)
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Updated 27 January 2024
Arab News
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PIF-owned Saudi Entertainment Ventures to bring Formula E karting attractions to the Kingdom

PIF-owned Saudi Entertainment Ventures to bring Formula E karting attractions to the Kingdom
  • Partnership with Formula E will introduce the world’s first-ever indoor karting of its kind to four locations across the country
Updated 27 January 2024
Arab News
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RIYADH: Saudi Entertainment Ventures, also known as SEVEN, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, has announced a new partnership with Formula E to build the world’s first Formula E-branded indoor karting attraction across multiple destinations in the Kingdom.

The announcement was made from the site of the Diriyah E-Prix where the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship double-header of races is taking place this weekend.

Abdulla Nasser Al-Dawood, chairman of SEVEN, said: “Our strategic partnership with Formula E to bring never-seen-before Formula E-branded racing tracks within our entertainment destinations strategically complements our mission of creating a multiverse of entertainment offerings that cater to the different needs of our future guests ... We aspire to have the first Saudi car racing champion coming from our Formula E attraction.”

Alberto Longo, co-founder and chief championship officer, said he was “thrilled” to be working alongside SEVEN.

“Our objectives and goals align in bringing the excitement of Formula E to the Kingdom and taking fans closer to real racing action through the Formula E karting experience across the SEVEN destinations,” he said. “I am confident this incredible initiative will accelerate the potential of Saudi Arabia’s promising young drivers and create a future world champion.”

The license agreement was signed by Longo and Essam Othman Al-Jubair, chief operating officer at SEVEN.

The Formula E karting attractions are set to be built at four of SEVEN’s entertainment destinations located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Abha. Each attraction will offer a selection of adult karts, junior karts, and dual karts, ensuring fun and safe experiences for the entire family. Boasting tracks exceeding 400 meters in length, the Formula E karting attractions provide extended straightaways for accelerated speed, delivering an unparalleled racing experience for guests.

SEVEN is a wholly owned company of PIF, mandated to invest in, develop and operate entertainment destinations and create a sustainable entertainment sector that caters to the needs of all in Saudi Arabia.

Topics: ABB FIA World Formula E World Championship Public Investment Fund (PIF)

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Disappointment for Team Abu Dhabi pair as Sharjah’s Wyatt claims power boating win in China

Disappointment for Team Abu Dhabi pair as Sharjah’s Wyatt claims power boating win in China
Updated 06 October 2024
Arab News
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Disappointment for Team Abu Dhabi pair as Sharjah’s Wyatt claims power boating win in China

Disappointment for Team Abu Dhabi pair as Sharjah’s Wyatt claims power boating win in China
  • Al-Qemzi and Comparato set sights on Zhengzhou after Shanghai race brought to an early finish
Updated 06 October 2024
Arab News

SHANGHAI: Sharjah Team’s Rusty Wyatt extended his lead in the 2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship with victory in the Grand Prix of Shanghai, where hazardous conditions brought the race to an early finish.

Just 11 of the scheduled 32 laps had been completed when the Grand Prix was halted for safety reasons, with Team Abu Dhabi’s Thani Al-Qemzi and defending world champion Jonas Andersson among those to suffer as the weather took its toll.

After climbing two places to sixth as he looked to fight his way through the storm, Al-Qemzi slipped to a 10th-place finish, while Andersson narrowly avoided a spectacular crash and conceded second place in the title race as conditions deteriorated.

Under pressure from fellow-Swede Erik Stark, Andersson dramatically saved himself after spinning sideways, but was unable to prevent the Victory Team driver nudging him down to third spot in the Grand Prix, and the championship.

It was a tough weekend all round for Team Abu Dhabi, with Alberto Comparato finishing 14th and, like Al-Qemzi, he will be aiming for a big lift when the penultimate round takes place in Zhengzhou in two weeks’ time.

Championship rookie Wyatt was the driver who coped best throughout as the weather first ruled out the first free practice session, and yesterday forced the cancellation of the two sprint races.

He was fastest in the second practice session before clinching pole position and built a comfortable lead from the Grand Prix start, eventually finishing with a 7.2-second advantage over Stark, and now leads him by 17.5 points in the championship.

Twice a Grand Prix winner in China, veteran Emirati driver Al Qemzi will seldom have raced in more challenging conditions during an F1H2O career stretching back to 2000.

He will now look forward to his 157th race start in Zhengzhou with the intention of adding to a Grand Prix record that includes 10 race victories and 45 podium finishes.

With the threat of a typhoon ever present in Shanghai, his Abu Dhabi team-mate Comparato had joined race and team officials to carry out a safety check on the circuit in a rescue boat, before the decision was taken to cancel Saturday’s sprint races.

“It was very bad,” he said. “It was even tricky with the rescue boat, For me, it was too dangerous.”

2024 UIM F1H2O World Championship standings
Rusty Wyatt (CAN) 87pts
Erik Stark (SWE) 69.5
Jonas Andersson (SWE) 69
Peter Morin (FRA) 54.5
Bartek Marszalek (POL) 48
Stefan Arand (EST) 34.5
Marit Stromoy (NOR) 32
Sami Selio (FIN) 31
Thani Al Qemzi (UAE) 27.5
Ben Jelf (GB) 26.5

Topics: Team Abu Dhabi F1H2O World Championship

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Formula E puts women in the driving seat at Valencia’s pre-season session

Formula E puts women in the driving seat at Valencia’s pre-season session
Updated 02 October 2024
Arab News
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Formula E puts women in the driving seat at Valencia’s pre-season session

Formula E puts women in the driving seat at Valencia’s pre-season session
  • Electric car series announces first for an FIA Championship, holding a dedicated test session for female drivers in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship
  • 22 drivers competing in the series set to use the latest GEN3 Evo race car
Updated 02 October 2024
Arab News

LONDON: Formula E has announced that the first all-women test session of an FIA Championship will take place on Nov. 7 at Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, as part of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship’s pre-season testing schedule.

The first-of-its-kind test in the all-electric championship gives elite women racing drivers the opportunity to drive the Season 11 (2024-25) GEN3 Evo car, which is capable of 0-60 mph in just 1.82 seconds — 30 percent faster than a current Formula 1 car. The vehicle will also be tested during the same week by the 11 race teams and 22 drivers currently competing in the series.

Each of the race teams in the championship will be required to field at least one woman driver for the half-day test, but encouraged to field two, who will drive in current-season cars.

With all the women on the track at the same time, the session will create a tangible platform for a wide pool of elite drivers who would not otherwise get an opportunity to drive machinery at this level.

The test will aim to provide the women not only with a destination, but also a pathway to develop their careers and skills using current technology.

The drivers will take part in multiple media opportunities at the Valencia track, including press conferences, briefings and interviews, while content will be captured for broadcast and social media on behalf of Formula E and its respective teams.

Formula E is proactively launching this initiative as part of a broader long-term strategy to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship. (Supplied)

This is to raise the drivers’ profile within elite motorsport and the wider sports industry, along with encouraging those involved at grassroots level and aspiring to work in motorsport. The full lineup of women drivers participating in the test will be announced in the coming weeks by each Formula E team.

Despite motorsport being one of the few sports in which men and women can compete together, it remains predominantly male, with only 3 percent of current top-tier racing licenses worldwide held by women.

Formula E is proactively launching this initiative as part of a broader long-term strategy to remove barriers and expand opportunities for women within the all-electric championship. It is not just about creating a one-off opportunity; it is about analyzing and actively dismantling the structural inequalities that have limited women’s participation and progress.

Jeff Dodds, CEO at Formula E, said: “We know there isn’t a simple solution for greater diversity in motorsport. If we’re going to truly give women equality, opportunity and visibility in our series, however, conditions for all need to be the same to aid their development and test themselves against those already on the starting grid.

“Unlike other series where women drivers have to use old or restricted machinery, they’ll be using the state-of-the-art GEN3 Evo car that accelerates 30 percent faster than an F1 car, just as our championship drivers do.

“We also recognize that one test will not solve the longstanding issue, but we have to start somewhere, knowing there is a long way to go and making sure we’re making proactive, consistent steps that continue to make forward progress.

“As a motorsport with an almost-equal split of male and female fans, as well as within Formula E including my exec and director teams, we believe it’s only right that our drivers and wider ecosystem is representative of those that follow and support the sport.”

Topics: Motorsport Formula E

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Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar raring to go for Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge

Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar raring to go for Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge
Updated 02 October 2024
SALEH FAREED
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Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar raring to go for Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge

Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar raring to go for Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge
  • Saudi driver, alongside co-driver Faisal Al-Swaih, line up for second season in demanding off-road rally series
Updated 02 October 2024
SALEH FAREED

JEDDAH: Saudi rally driver Yosra Jazzar is preparing to retain her Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge T4 category title when the series gets underway next week.

Jazzar, alongside her co-driver Faisal Al-Swaih, will line up for their second season in the demanding off-road rally series.

Jazzar told Arab News she was ready for the competition, stating: “I am completely prepared for this rally physically and mentally, and extremely excited and eagerly looking forward to this unique experience. We will do our utmost to achieve an honorable victory.”

She added that her confidence is further boosted by the expertise of her co-driver, who brings valuable experience in managing technical challenges and navigating complex terrains.

“Me and my co-driver Al-Swaih, who has high experience and skills in dealing with technical problems and reading geographical terrain, are confident in our abilities, as we strive to win the title of our category for the second time,” she said.

Jazzar, a successful entrepreneur and advocate for motorsports, has become a symbol of Saudi women’s increasing participation in international racing.

She said she remains focused on representing her country at the highest level, hoping to replicate her previous success and raise the Saudi flag on the podium once again.

The Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge series, consisting of four rounds, will commence next Saturday and will run until April 2025. Competitors will face a variety of tough desert conditions as they compete for top honors.

Event calendar:

Round 1: Oct. 12, 2024
Round 2: Nov. 3, 2024
Round 3: Jan. 11, 2025
Round 4: April 12, 2025

Topics: Motorsport Rally Driving Saudi Arabia UAE Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge Yosra Jazzar

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Winners crowned after first round of Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship

Winners crowned after first round of Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship
Updated 28 September 2024
Arab News
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Winners crowned after first round of Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship

Winners crowned after first round of Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship
Updated 28 September 2024
Arab News

RIYADH: The 2024 Saudi Toyota Drag Racing Championship's first round concluded on Friday at the Dirab Circuit in Riyadh with winners receiving their awards.

Organized by the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and sponsored by Abdul Latif Jameel Motorsports, the event saw competition over three days, featuring 58 participants from Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries.

Winners in various car categories included Muslim Al-Qallaf, Ibrahim Al-Shunaifi, Faisal Al-Ahmad, and Majid Al-Harbi.

In motorcycle categories, Khalid Ali Al-Dosari claimed multiple victories.

The top winners were honored in an awards ceremony led by Khalid Al-Suwaidan, CEO of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

Topics: Motorsport Saudi Arabia

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McLaren’s Lando Norris wins Singapore Grand Prix to narrow F1 title race

McLaren’s Lando Norris wins Singapore Grand Prix to narrow F1 title race
Updated 22 September 2024
AFP
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McLaren’s Lando Norris wins Singapore Grand Prix to narrow F1 title race

McLaren’s Lando Norris wins Singapore Grand Prix to narrow F1 title race
  • Norris got away brilliantly from pole and was clear of Verstappen into the first bend
Updated 22 September 2024
AFP

SINGAPORE: Formula One title contender Lando Norris led from pole to chequered flag to win the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, narrowing the gap to championship leader Max Verstappen, who was second.
It was the McLaren driver’s third career GP win and his first from pole at his sixth attempt.
Teammate Oscar Piastri was third to extend their lead over Red Bull in the constructors’ championship.
It was a remarkably incident-free run around the Marina Bay Street Circuit, the first in its 15-race history not to see a safety car deployed.
At the end of the 62 uninterrupted laps, Norris had reduced Verstappen’s title lead to 52 points with six races and three sprints to go.
Piastri’s third place, coupled with Sergio Perez only managing 10th in the second Red Bull, meant McLaren’s lead in the constructors’ championship was increased to 41 points.
Norris got away brilliantly from pole and was clear of Verstappen into the first bend as Lewis Hamilton, on softer tires, tried to put pressure on the Dutchman.
But the three-time world champion repelled the Englishman and all the cars completed the opening lap safely.
Norris soon opened up a gap of more than a second over Verstappen, importantly keeping the Englishman out of DRS range of his title rival.
Hamilton from third was the only front-runner to start on soft tires, but he paid a penalty for it after he had to pit early on lap 18.
The aim was clearly to go all the way to the end but after just five laps on the new rubber he complained on team radio: “I’m already struggling with this tyre.”
Norris was in a league of his own up front as he stretched his lead over Verstappen to 20 seconds by lap 26.
Despite a few late brushes with the unforgiving Singapore street circuit walls, the Englishman secured a dominant victory.
“It was an amazing race,” said Norris.
“A few too many close calls, I had a couple of close moments in the middle but it was well managed I think.
“I could push, we were flying the whole race. Still tough, I’m a bit out of breath, but a good one.”
Piastri started from fifth but a superior strategy enabled him to overhaul Hamilton and the second Mercedes of George Russell in the late stages.
“It was a good race, a good recovery from qualifying — it wasn’t my best afternoon yesterday,” said Piastri.
“Big thank you to the team as clearly the car was exceptional this weekend, and some great points.”
Verstappen’s only chance looked like a safety car that never came.
“My race was just by myself, do the best I could, manage my own race,” said the three-time world champion.
“On a weekend we knew we were going to struggle, P2 is a good achievement. But now we need to improve, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Hamilton on much older tires than the field was a sitting duck toward the end lost another place on lap 50 to the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc who had begun from ninth on the grid.
Leclerc finished ahead of Hamilton, with the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz in seventh.
Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg and Perez rounded out the top 10.

Topics: Motorsport Formula One Formula 1 F1 Singapore Singapore Grand Prix McLaren Lando Norris

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