10 youngsters join Daman Academy

The selection process at the Daman Speed Academy started in April  2014. — Supplied photo

Dubai — From the starting grid of the Hankook 24HR Dubai at the Dubai Autodrome, Daman Speed Academy (DSA), the joint initiative between Abu Dhabi Racing and the National Health Insurance Company — Daman, announced its new class of 2015. Following a strict selection process, ten new students will be joining two returning students from last year to make a total of 12 drivers for the 2015 season.

The selection process which started in April 2014 and ran until the end of the year, began at racetracks across the UAE: Yas Kartzonne in Yas Marina Circuit, Dubai Kartdrome at Dubai Autodrome and Al Ain Raceaway with budding F1 drivers invited to display their talents on a kart track.

The twelve students are divided into three categories: Ahmed Al Saadi, Abdullah Al Qubaisi, Ali Al Shamsi and Omar Al Khoori are in the Micro category which is for students between the age 8 and 10 years old. Hamda Al Qubaisi, Mohamed Al Dhaleei, Mohammed Dalmook and Ibrahim Alraeesi are in the Mini category which is for students between the age 10 and 12 years old. Salim Ibrahim Al Musharrekh and Ahmed Alkhamisi join last year’s Saeed Al Ali and Amna Al Qubaisi in the Junior category which is for students between the age 12 and 15 years old.

Since its inception in 2013, Daman Speed Academy has successfully combined technical and soft skills training with the aim of equipping talented UAE nationals with the required attributes and mental determination needed to excel as future leaders both on the racetrack and in the boardroom.

Emirati racing star and managing director of Abu Dhabi Racing, Khaled Al Qubaisi said: “Daman Speed Academy has a huge impact on students; it provides them access to motorsports skills previously not available in the UAE. The DSA also boosts the development of the UAE automotive scenario in the long term, creating interest and engagement.”