SEVEN NEW NATIONS JOIN FIA MOTORSPORT GAMES IN SPAIN
In three months’ time, on 23 -27 October, the third edition of the FIA Motorsport Games will begin in Valencia. It remains the only event in the world to unite athletes from nations from all four corners of the globe in competition across an unparalleled number of motorsport disciplines.
Entries are flooding in for the 2024 multidisciplinary event, which will feature 27 categories in Spain, including from a host of new nations whose athletes will compete for the very first time on an international stage.
The introduction of a further 11 categories has been a crucial factor in assisting new FIA National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) to enter competitors to race under their country’s flag and colours.
The expansion of both grassroots and accessible disciplines continues to achieve the ambition to attract new sporting nations and bring emerging talents to a global platform. In addition to Auto Slalom and Karting Slalom, the growth of both Esports to include Esports F4, and Karting to feature Karting Mini for racers aged 8-12 years for the first time are generating significant interest.
Other new categories include Truck Racing, Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Single Make GT, plus Rally All-Stars amid a re-formatting of Rally to include ten categories overall, including Rally Gravel in Rally2, Rally4 and Historic Rally.
Now, to introduce seven of the new sporting nations set for debut in Spain.
Angola will be represented for the first time in the FIA Motorsport Games, with rising karting star Lorenzo Campos set to take the step up and represent the Federação Angolana de Desportos Motorizados in Formula 4.
Armenia enters for the first time in Karting Sprint Senior. Daniel Dallakyan Poghosyan, who has raced from the age of eight and represented Armenia at CIK-FIA level since 2022, will join the fiercely contested category to be hosted on a bespoke layout of Aspar circuit.
Team Botswana will send a four-strong delegation to Spain. Hamzah Ahmad continues his successful transition from virtual sim racing to real-life karting competition with a place on the Karting Sprint Junior grid, while Muhammad Ahmad will contest Karting Sprint Senior. Both drivers represented Botswana for the first time in the Africa Karting Cup earlier this year, Muhammad finishing 12th overall.
Botswana Motor Sports also plans to field two additional entries, in Esports GT and the new Esports F4 category.
Tefo Dithapo, Team Captain, Botswana FIA Motorsport Games, commented: “Botswana Motor Sports is thrilled to participate in the FIA Motorsport Games for the first time. This participation marks a historic moment for Botswana and Botswana Motor Sports as we dive into the exciting global stage of motorsport in anticipation to bring home a wealth of experience and knowledge to foster motorsport growth within Botswana Motor Sports.
“The decision came about as a way to expose our athletes to world competitions, enhancing their experience, boosting athlete morale and determination, with possibilities of bringing home prestigious awards.
“Botswana Motorsport embarks on this remarkable journey with four athletes who will compete in Esports GT, Esports F4, Karting Sprint Senior, and Karting Sprint Junior. Botswana Motor Sports is confident in the success of Team Botswana.”
The Esports discipline once again proves to be a vital launchpad for new nations to join the Games. The Cayman Motoring Federation has confirmed two entries, with 45 year-old Karyll Iton representing the nation in Esports GT and 39-year-old Ian Charlery set to contest Esports F4.
Esports is an essential to the growth of motorsports in the Cayman Islands, offering a platform for aspiring racers to hone their skills and compete globally. The nation has chosen two exceptional competitors, with Iton boasting three years of experience in sim racing competition, while Charlery combines a history in drag racing and autocross with a passion for Esports reignited during the Covid pandemic.
Jane Scaletta, President of the Cayman Motoring Federation, said: “As a new grassroots federation, the Cayman Motoring Federation sees the FIA Motorsport Games as an invaluable opportunity to compete on an international level, showcasing the talent and dedication of our competitors.
“Our expectations for this event are to not only demonstrate our racing prowess but also to foster a spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship among the international motorsport community. We believe that through participation in events like these, we can significantly contribute to the development and recognition of motorsports in the Cayman Islands.”
Karting Sprint Senior brings another new nation to the FIA Motorsport Games this year, with Stephanie Hobeika flying the flag for Team Lebanon. The 21-year-old ranked ninth in the IAME Ladies Cup in 2023 and can count sixth in the 2020-21 IAME Series UAE and third earned in IAME Series Labanon 2019 among her career highlights so far.
Mohamad Chehab will complete the delegation for Team Lebanon. The two-time Red Bull Drift UAE champion, who also holds titles across Group N and T3 rallying plus four Autocross crowns, is set for his debut in Drifting with a BMW E36.
The Automobile Association Philippines has confirmed its sole representative. Mariano Axel Nocom – a three-time Minirok champion who started racing at the age of six – will fly the nation’s flag in Karting Spring Junior.
The twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is set to follow in the footsteps of Caribbean nations, Barbados and the Bahamas this October, as they send two team members to compete in Karting Sprint Junior and Karting Sprint Senior in Spain.
Trinidad and Tabago Karting Association Rookie of the Year 2023, Alex Sharma has been selected as the nation’s first-ever representative in Karting Sprint Junior. “It’s a privilege to represent my country at the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games,” he said.
“The Games will be a step up since I’ll be competing against the world’s best young kart drivers. Some of them I know and have driven against before. I’ve worked with good coaches and teams and I intend to do my best to secure the best possible result for the team in the Junior Sprint. Although our country is small, our people are determined, resourceful and compete with a fierce spirit.”
Reigning TTKA Sportsman champion, Benjamin Mahon will represent Team Trinidad and Tabago in Karting Sprint Senior. “I am deeply honoured and excited to represent Trinidad and Tobago as the Karting Sprint Senior driver in Spain, he said.
“I am eager to showcase the skill, dedication, and spirit of our nation and that of our motorsport community. This opportunity not only highlights my personal journey in motorsport but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring racers in Trinidad and Tobago, demonstrating that with hard work and passion, reaching the world stage is possible.”
The dedicated FIA registration platform for competitors to enter the 2024 FIA Motorsport Games remains open until 23 September.
Competitors wishing to represent their country are encouraged to contact their respective National Sporting Authorities, a complete list of which can be found by CLICKING HERE.