With the holiday season in full swing, Rashid Al Dhaheri has been on an intensive karting adventure in Italy in what rates as the most comprehensive training programme ever embarked on by a young aspiring race driver from the U.A.E..
The Abu Dhabi school boy, fondly referred to as Little Alonso, participated in karting race weekends at Lonato, Siena and Ottobiano venues and also undertook an intensive training course held under the auspices by the Italian federation ACI CSAI in Naples. Here he got his first taste of more powerful 60cc karts. The races and training events were for drivers between 6 and 8 years of age, with Rashid, at six years and three months, invariably the youngest in the groups. But this did little to deter the youngster who impressed with every outing, and it is safe to say that he emerged from the experience a more complete and mature driver, that belies his young age. Although Italy is engulfed in summer the weather played a part in proceedings, with inevitable rainy days adding to the challenges faced by Al Dhaheri.
Nevertheless this was all part and parcel of the programme which also included racing in big field of over 30 young up-and-coming drivers, battling with rivals wheel-to-wheel, while learning the finer techniques of racing; such as rolling starts and the various flag rules that are part of the sport.
The recurring theme of Al Dhaheri's participation was his eagerness to learn, his ability to follow instructions and constantly running at the sharp end of the field in all the races he participated in.
Perhaps one of the most significant steps taken during the Italian summer campaign was his participation in the highly acclaimed and intensive karting training camp organised by the ACI CSAI Federal School at Napoli Sarno International Circuit, from July 7 to 10.
Source: WAM