The 2017/18 Formula Gulf Academy young driver development program was completed over the weekend at the Dubai Autodrome.
The Championship title went to 17 year old Kane Shepherd who won 5 of the 10 academy races that were held at the Yas Marina F1 Circuit and the Dubai Autodrome. Shepherd flew from his home in Thailand to attend.
The Vice Champion is 16 year old Filip Kaminiarz from Poland after scoring consistently and reaching the podium no less than 6 times.
Third championship place overall went to another 16 year old, Talal Beshara from Bahrain.
At the last event of the season, where temperatures peaked at 38C it was business as usual for Shepherd who took pole position and two impressive wins.
Kaminiarz made life tricky for himself this weekend by taking the opportunity to test and race a Radical SR3 alongside his single seater campaign. He finished the first of two 50kms Academy races in 3rd place and was sidelined in the second when a battery terminal broke.
But the 18 year old driver from India, Nabil Zakir Hussein had a very strong day, finishing in second place in both races. His occasional absence due to college exams took its toll on his overall championship position.
A 4th and 3rd place finish was a bit below par for Azerbaijan’s Gulhuseyn Abullayev who was handicapped when a visit visa issue meant he missed the testing and training on the first day.
The drivers all benefited from intense professional coaching by Thomas (Tommy) Erdos and Andy Pardoe.
For Season 8 of this ASN Recognised Competition Driving School, organiser GulfSport Racing will offer the local equivalent of a UK ARDS test which has been approved by the ATCUE to enable 15 year olds to gain an Academy License in their first season so they can race in Formula Gulf Academy.
