Officials seen at the conference.

KUWAIT: GulfRun - powered by Zain - season is back and kicking off with GulfRun 24HR Karting Endurance 5 that will take place from December 17 - 19 at the SIRBB Circuit in Shuwaikh. GulfRun and Pro-Vision Sports Management announced that 20 teams have taken the challenge to participate in the exciting 24 hour long karting endurance race.

This year also international teams will be participating in this event. "There are participants from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain including the champion of Middle East also from Bahrain. The 20 participating teams present about 200 racers, as each team should include between 4 - 12 pacers. Apart of the teams registered there is a waiting list for those who couldn't participate due to the limit of team. So in case a team didn't attend the next in the line may participate instead," Ahmad Al-Mudhaf, CEO GulfRun told Kuwait Times.

Participation was open for interested individuals from age 16 and above. "This year the participation was opened for all nationalities and both genders. The interest in this race was very high so we have a long waiting list of those who couldn't participate. The main goal of this race is to prepare the youth to participate internationally, and to get training in safe place. Due to the high interest, we decided to hold more than one race per year to satisfy the wide audience," he further said.

Ahmed Al-Majed, of Pro-Vision Sports Management said, "We have a record number of teams competing and look forward to an exciting race at Sirbb Circuit. We witnessed a record breaking amount of attendees last year, and have many exciting events planned on and off-track this year." Ahmed Al-Mudhaf of GulfRun added that "We have lots in store this season starting off with GulfRun 24HR Karting Endurance 5 - we have four international racers participating

SAFETY MEASURES

Waleed Al Khashti, Zain Kuwait's Corporate Communications and Relations Director said: "Zain's support to this much anticipated event for the second year running stems from its utmost responsibility of youth's talent development and the sports sector, which comes in line with our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy, especially that this exciting race was established by a group of Kuwaiti youth".

Zain is always sponsoring sports events. "We were keen on taking part in this exciting event yet again after the passion we found from the youth during last year's event. Zain is also highlighting its dedication to applying safety measures while driving as GulfRun is considered an ideal and safe alternative to street racing which threatens youth's lives. Zain is the sponsor of Zaid Ashkanani, the ME champion of Formula 2 and Porsche GT Cup, and Salah Bin Eidan the ME champion in rally," added Al Khashti.

The GulfRun Karting Endurance Race follows international regulations and certified marshals fly in from the UK to regulate the race in accordance to FIA regulations. The GulfRun Karting Endurance Race was first launched in 2011 to create an exciting competition in Kuwait that aligns with GulfRun's objective to promote automobile racing and training in a safe and secure environment and karting is one of the pillars of motorsports.

GulfRun's and Pro-Vision Sport Management team extend their gratitude to the continuous support by Kuwait's private sector, which acknowledges the important role sport plays amongst Kuwait's youth. GulfRun 24HR Karting Endurance Race is supported by a wide range of sponsors: Title sponsorship by Zain; GR Karting Pace Car: Audi; Platinum Sponsors Algida and American Tax Bureau; Gold sponsorship by Slider Station, The Correspondent, Al-Sawan and Moonlight Studios, Kidsville.

By Nawara Fattahova