Umid Ali, Al Naggar, Elmosi winners of SWS Sprint Night in Dubai 11.10.2016: Indy Lights Champion Ed Jones makes homecoming appearance at Dubai Kartdrome

Indy Lights Champion Ed Jones makes homecoming appearance at Dubai Kartdrome

photos caption:    Indy Lights Champ Ed Jones and SWS Junior Winners at Dubai Kartdrome



It was a special night of Sodi World Series (SWS) Sprint Racing at the Dubai Kartdrome on Monday as multiple UAE kart champion Ed Jones, fresh from his 2016 Indy Lights Championship victory in America, returned to his home track. 


The appearance of Jones inspired spirited competition throughout the event and the evening started with the SWS Juniors (ages 7-14) lining up on the Outdoor Circuit at Dubai Kartdrome. 


Veteran driver Kamal Agha signalled his intent early on by jumping to the top of the qualifying screens with a best lap time of 1:25.267, a comfortable 1.219 seconds over his closest rival, Patrick Debattista.


Kamal started on pole but could not hold the top position, as red hot Seif Al Naggar stormed through the field from eighth on the grid to take victory in Race One, consigning Agha to second.  Danny Shields trailed closely behind to claim third place.


In Race Two Seif was even better, getting well clear of the rest of the pack and winning the race by an impressive 6.081 seconds over runner-up, Jad Charafeddine.


When the points from the two races were tallied, it was clear that Al Naggar would claim the top step of the podium for the night, going two for two and maximum points.  Kamal Agha was the best of the rest, earning him a second place trophy while Jad Charafeddine secured third.


As the Dubai Kartdrome guest of honour for the evening, Ed Jones handed out trophies to the Juniors and then suited up to compete in the highly competitive SWS Senior category (ages 15-34).


Qualifying was incredibly close with the top eight drivers finishing within a second of each other.  Ramadan Challenge titleholder Rami Azzam edged out his rivals by a mere 0.289 seconds to claim pole.


Jones could only manage sixth place on the grid, but when the starting lights blinked off for Race One the Indy Lights Champ quickly revealed his imposing driving skills, cutting through the field, overhauling race leader Azzam and taking victory by 0.238 seconds.


The driving in Race Two was even more feisty and Jones found himself swallowed up in a pack of six cars all vying for the front. 



The lead changed many times throughout the race, but on the last lap it was Hussain Umid Ali who broke through the group and snatched the chequered flag by a scant 0.112 seconds over Anjum Shaikh.


With the points added up, Hussain Umid Ali took top honours for the night, just pipping out Ed Jones for the second spot, while Rami Azzam collected third.


Afterwards Hussain said, “It was difficult but I was driving well, I had a good kart and I tried very hard.  Against this competition, these guys have more experience, but I think I did well today.”






photo caption:    SWS Senior Winners at Dubai Kartdrome



In the Masters sub-category of Seniors (ages 35 and older), Gianluca Elmosi claimed a surprise victory over Mohammed Ismail Ali, the usual Masters favourite. 



Dario Rubio followed up in third.  All three drivers were level on points at the end of the night and it was only their qualifying positions that settled the tie and determined the trophies.


The next SWS Sprint Race will be at Dubai Kartdrome on Monday, 24 October 2016.





- Lindsay Johnston, Total Communications Dubai - also photos