Double points at the Al Ain International circuit gave the 16-year-old Daman Speed Academy driver a superb third-place finish overall in the DD2 category.  And the talented teenager put his podium finish all down to hard work.

“My true ambition was to make first place at the final championship race, but I knew that the mission would not be easy due to the fierce competition posed by some more experienced drivers,” said Al Ali. “But I was able to overcome them by means of my persistence and intensive preparations.”

Al Ali’s overall placing even came as a surprise with him not at first realising he had done enough to gatecrash the podium.

Al Ali was able to achieve three podium positions in his first season, with them coming in Oman, at the Dubai Kartdrome and at Al Ain.

Elsewhere, Hamda Al Qubaisi claimed third position in the Al Ain Raceway Challenge Trophy of the Mini Max category, while her elder sister Amna Al Qubaisi snatched second in the Junior Max category.

Ahmed Al Khamisi was second in the Max category. Daman Speed Academy Team Manager Luke Varley was awarded the Championship’s ‘Best Mechanic of the Year’ and ‘Role Model of the Year’.

Khaled Al Qubaisi, founder of Daman Speed Academy and Abu Dhabi Racing Managing Director, said: “I am extremely proud of our future generation for shining through in this tough finale.

“Our sons and daughters were up to the challenge, manifesting confidence and great performance, which enabled them to reap those trophies. I believe we have succeeded at Daman Speed Academy in
developing the Emirati skills, and we shall continue on this path until we reach together the pinnacle of motorsport.”