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DUBAI: FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem says the new FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup, which gets underway today, is reducing financial and technological barriers associated with karting to increase accessibility and widen global participation.
The highly anticipated World Cup event makes its debut on Nov. 14 with junior and senior categories of emerging drivers taking to Asia’s largest karting venue at the LYL International Circuit in Malaysia.
The three-day competition in Kuala Lumpur has brought together 107 drivers from 50 nationalities worldwide to compete in identical, standardized karts provided by OTK Group. The line-up includes 15 girls, the largest number ever to enter an FIA Karting competition.
Two drivers from the UAE are competing in the milestone event: Aaryan Singh in the Junior category and Zain Elhommosany, fresh from his recent victory at the MENA Karting Championship Nations Cup in Qatar, in the Senior section.
Driver development is a core focus of the competition, with FIA workshops having taken place prior to the start of racing centering on driver safety, nutrition, anti-doping, media training and increasing knowledge of the FIA International Karting Ranking system. These workshops ensure drivers have the opportunity to develop both on and off the track.

FIA President Ben Sulayem said: “The debut FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup marks an exciting new chapter for grassroots motorsport across the world. Thank you to our FIA member clubs who have entered and to President Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir (of the Motorsports Association of Malaysia), and the government of Malaysia for hosting this landmark event.
“The support for this new format has been incredible, and it shows our global commitment to increasing accessibility, growing motorsport participation, and empowering the next generation of talent.”
Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh said: “We are proud to host this landmark event in Malaysia, highlighting our commitment to strengthening motorsport development in the country. Thank you to the FIA for this collaboration.”
FIA Karting Commission President Akbar Ebrahim said: “The FIA Karting Arrive and Drive World Cup is more than just a race; it will be an opportunity for promising racing talent from across the world to prove their racecraft and develop as well-rounded drivers at the start of their careers.
“As the flagship Arrive and Drive event on the karting calendar, all eyes will be on Malaysia this month as we showcase accessible, affordable motor sport which puts the drivers center stage.”