KARACHI: Pakistan’s first professional Formula racecar driver Syed Ovais Naqvi has joined hands with the corporate sector to construct, develop and establish the first-ever Omni Karting Circuit in Karachi, the groundbreaking ceremony of which was held at the Airmen Golf Club & Recreation Park at Korangi Creek recently.

Speaking at the occasion, Ovais said that the Omni Karting Circuit will be a dedicated and purpose built motorsport facility and it will be the first and the only karting circuit in Pakistan to not only meet the highest international specifications but will in fact exceed them.

This pioneering karting complex and multi-disciplinary motorsport facility will include a multi-layout 1.5km karting track built to CIK Grade A international standards. The track will also incorporate a 1/8 mile drag strip and be able to allow one road car at a time to be driven on it for autocross and time trials. It will be built on a 12 acre waterfront site located at the PAF Base Korangi Creek adjacent to the Airmen Golf Course & Recreation Park.

The ribbon cutting and groundbreaking was performed by chief guest, Air Vice Marshal Salman Ahsan Bokhari along with Ovais who heads the Omni Motorsport.

The ceremony was also attended by various other senior officers of the PAF including Base Commander Kora­ngi Creek Air Commodore Ibrahim Asad, director PAF Museum Air Commode Usman Ghani, president of the Airmen Golf Club Group Captain Tahir Javed and secretary of the Airmen Golf Club Wing Commander Naveed Siddiqui besides the directors of Omni Motorsport.

Speaking on the occasion, Omni Motorsport Chairman, Roger Dawood Bayat, said: “Today marks an important day as it brings together two reputable institutions the PAF and Omni Motorsport in bringing a vision and a dream that has commenced. We shall endeavour to build the finest motorsport tracks ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety and professional managed facility where the goal is to provide for the public an exciting and healthy activity for the entire family.”

Air Vice Marshal Salman said: “There is enormous potential in Pakistan in all fields and all types of sports. I have asked Omni Motorsport to ensure that no compromise is made on the quality and that the facility must adhere to the top international standards. Safety is paramount in motorsport and all safety features should be implemented at the track”.

Ovais informed that the facility will be fully equipped with all amenities and features of a state of the art karting circuit with floodlights, safety barriers and fencing. The Omni Karting Circuit will house a fleet of 30 karts capable of top speeds of 170kph along with electronic kart timing equipment, F1 style start-finish lights, a kart control system, full racing gear, LCD screens and a giant outdoor LED screen.

There will be a covered pits complex with 30 pit garages, a driver/member lounge, race control centre, a media centre and a briefing room, a trackside restaurant-café and parking for 200 cars. It will also house a state of the art F1 simulator.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2016