Formula Gulf 1000, which is just about to enter its fourth season, has become the premier junior driver development series in the Middle East-North Africa, Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia region.

Competitors, some as young as 15, have graduated from Kart racing and have been trained to drive and race the F4-like Ralph Firman designed FG11 cars used in Formula Gulf.

As a result of the high quality work carried out by Formula Gulf promoter GulfSport Racing, the FIA’s appointed motor sports sanctioning authority in the Emirates, the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE, have now awarded it ‘national championship’ status.

Until now, only four circuit racing series in the UAE were given national championship status; the UAE Sport Bike Championship, UAE Touring Car Championship, UAE GT Championship and the UAE Kart Championship.

Last season, with the support of the ATCUAE, GulfSport Racing were allowed to train and race 15 year olds in their championship, conditional to a strong karting background and passing a circuit driving and safety assessment.

National Race licences were granted last year to two karters, one of whom went on to become the 2013-14 Champion – Tom Bale.

Formula Gulf, supported by Gulf Oil and Towers Rotana Hotel, continues to train young drivers and will hold its last session before Ramadan starts at the end of this month.

Two karters from the region will be taking to the FG11 simulator and race track as part of the two-day training and testing session at the Dubai Autodrome.

In addition, this season will see the introduction of a new ‘Masters Class’ where some of the UAE’s most experienced drivers will fight it out for the Masters title. Season four starts in October.