I.M.: What does it mean for you to be part of a historic company like IAME S.p.A.?

M.C.: I have been working with IAME for over 10 years now and it is an honor to be part of such a historic company. To be associated with a name that has powered so many champions over the years is very meaningful.

I.M.: How has being a part of IAME influenced your approach to organizing motorsport events?

M.C.: High standards of performance and reliability of IAME are motivating us to elevate every aspect of organization from technical preparation to race day operations. It is inspiring us to raise the bar season after season.

I.M.: What is the most exciting aspect of working with IAME, and what is the biggest challenge?

M.C.: The most exciting aspect of working with IAME is being part of a global community. IAME is present all over the world so being part of it is truly motivating since we are contributing to the whole karting community. As for the biggest challenge, I would say it is keeping up with new trends and needs as the world is constantly changing and it is also clearly visible in karting community. It is challenging but also inspiring.

I.M.: How does IAME Motorsport’s support help ensure the success of events?

M.C.: IAME Motorsport is a very innovative solution for both drivers and the organizers. We are joining forces with IAME Motorsport in the upcoming 2025/2026 season to ensure the smoothness of administrative process, whether it is drivers’ registration or internal preparations of our organization team.

I.M.: What are the advantages and responsibilities of representing the IAME Motorsport name in competitions?

M.C.: Representing the IAME Motorsport name in competition comes with advantages but also responsibilities. The main advantage is being aligned with a world-class brand that attracts top-tier drivers. When it comes to responsibilities, we need to make sure to uphold the standards IAME is known for — professionalism, performance and respect for the sport.

I.M.: What kind of collaboration exists between you and the central IAME Motorsport team for race management?

M.C.: While in the past we were relying mainly on our internal race management system, in the upcoming 2025/2026 season of IAME Series UAE we will be working much closer with IAME Motorsport. The whole administrative process when it comes to drivers registration, race management and event promotion will be through IAME Motorsport.

I.M.: Does IAME provide specific guidelines to ensure the quality and consistency of events?

M.C.: Yes, IAME provides clear guidelines to ensure the quality and consistency of every event. These include, but not limited to, technical regulations, scrutineering procedures, branding. It creates a unified structure that helps ensure fairness, equality and safety across competitions.

I.M.: What does the IAME Warrior Final represent in the international karting scene?

M.C.: IAME Warrior Final represents one of the highest levels of international karting competition. It’s a chance for the best drivers from across the world to compete with each other and determine the annual champions. IWF is an event for the whole karting community not only the drivers. It is a gathering for the organizers of national series from all around the world to unite and celebrate the sport we are all passionate about.

I.M.: How prestigious is it to win the IWF, and what opportunities does it offer to champions?

M.C.: Winning the IWF is a prestigious achievement. It’s a title to award driver’s determination, consistency and skills shown not only at IWF but during the whole season. Winning IWF can open doors to other motorsport series and attract sponsors that are highly demanded in this sport.

I.M.: How has the event evolved over the years, and what innovations have been introduced?

M.C.: The event has evolved significantly becoming a truly global competition. It is attracting drivers from all around the world and given the limited seats available, it makes it even more prestige.

I.M.: How can a driver qualify for the IAME Warrior Final?

M.C.: Driver can qualify for the IWF by competing in national, regional or international IAME competitions. In the UAE, we are awarding IWF tickets to top 2 finishers in each category at the end of each season. We are also awarding tickets to IAME Middle East Cup champions and vice-champions. IAME MEC is one-off event which we are organizing every season in the UAE. It is a great chance for the drivers, not only from the Middle East, to qualify for IWF.

I.M.: What is the level of competition among the drivers who manage to qualify?

M.C.: The level of competition is very high. Drivers who compete at IWF have won the entry by achieving outstanding result in their national or regional series. Level surely varies from one series to another but in the end, these are the best drivers from around the world.

I.M.: What does it mean for a driver to earn a ticket to the IWF?

M.C.: Earning a ticket to the IWF is for many drivers a milestone in their career. It is a reward for their hard work, discipline and consistency shown throughout the season. It is also a very proud moment as they get a chance to represent their country on an international stage.

I.M.: How does live streaming or TV broadcasting help increase drivers’ visibility?

M.C.: We have partnered up with Media Friends – a company that will be live streaming all our events in the upcoming season. Live streaming is a game changer for drivers’ visibility. It is a great tool to showcase skills to global audience and attract sponsors.

I.M.: What role do sponsors and commercial partners play in the event?

M.C.: Sponsors and commercial partners are vital to the success of any karting series. They help us grow the visibility and improve the series.

I.M.: Are there any particular stories about drivers who have participated in the IWF?

M.C.: The most memorable strory for the UAE from all editions of IWF is definetely a story of Tom Bale – UAE based driver. He took a pole position in X30 Super Shifter class at IAME International Final in 2017. He finished 4th overall that year but just a year later he won the International Final in the same class at Le Mans circuit.

I.M.: What has been the most spectacular edition, or which one marked a turning point for the event?

M.C.: For the UAE, the most spectacular edition was definetely 2015. That was the first IAME International Final in which UAE drivers participated. It was a turning point for the UAE Series as the drivers understood the importance and prestige of winning a national series in order to qualify and represent the country at IWF.

I.M.: Are there drivers who made a mark at the IWF and then went on to have a successful motorsport career?

M.C.: There are plenty of drivers who participated at the IWF and later joined other motorsport series such as F4, F1 Academy and other car racing series. Many drivers took a different path and are now well respected coaches or team managers.

I.M.: What are the future goals to further improve the IAME Warrior Final?

M.C.:My goal, or a dream, is to have IWF in the UAE one day. That would be something unforgettable.

I.M.: What does it mean to organize and represent an IAME Series in the national karting scene?

M.C.: Organizing and representing an IAME Series UAE is an honour and responsibility. Being in charge of such series means that you need to ensure that its high standards are maintained at every level, whether it comes to event management, technical integrity or driver safety.

I.M.: What are the distinctive elements that set an IAME Series apart from other karting competitions?

M.C.: IAME Series is tightly regulated, technically and sporting, using one-make engine classes which makes it equal for everyone. Being present globally is a huge advantage, meaning that drivers can compete not only in national series but also in other countries while maintaining the same equipment and very similar regulations no matter where they race.

I.M.: How does IAME support local organizers to ensure a high level of competition and professionalism?

M.C.: IAME supports us by providing clear guidelines and technical support whenever it is needed. Their expertise is always available.

I.M.: How important is regulatory consistency among the various IAME Series worldwide?

M.C.: It is essential to the success and integrity of the IAME Series worldwide. It makes the transition from one IAME national series to another, or event to IWF, seamless as the drivers are racing under the same technical and sporting regulations.

I.M.: What is your specific role in organizing karting races?

M.C.: My role involves overseeing the entire execution of the events such as planning, contracting the venues, arranging officials, logistics. I’m responsible for ensuring that every race meets the high standards when it comes to preparations, running an event and safety. I work closely with the officials, our organization staff members and sponsors. I’m fully focused on making sure that everything is set prior to each event so we can provide the best service to all competitors.

I.M.: What are the main responsibilities you handle during an event?

M.C.: My main responsibilities are actually before the event even starts. I always need to be sure that we are well organized and everything is prepared before the first green flag goes out. During an event, I’m overseeing the race meeting by communicating with race officials and other staff members of which everyone has an assigned role for the event. I’m making sure that the event is running smoothly and we are facing no difficulties. If such difficulties appear, it is my role to find a solution. I’m also available for the competitors and entrants if they are wishing to discuss the series, whether it is positive feedback or something that we need to improve.

I.M.: How do you select race locations, and what criteria do you use when choosing circuits?

M.C.: We are always trying to make it the most attractive for the drivers who are competing in our series. That is why we are racing at all major racing circuits around UAE.

I.M.: What are the main logistical challenges you face when organizing a karting event?

M.C.: Organizing a karting event involves several logistical challenges, but the main ones typically revolve around staff/officials availability. We have a limited number of officials available in the country and in case of our main team being unavailable we struggle to find staff replacements. Weather can also be unpredictable and in the past we never had wet tyres so in case of a rainfall we had to postpone the race meeting. That should not be a challenge anymore since we are going to have wet tyres available in the IAME Series UAE in the upcoming season, being the first karting organizer in the UAE supplying wet tyres.

I.M.: Which organizations or companies do you collaborate with to organize events?

M.C.: We have recently partnered up with Media Friends. It is a new media and advertising company which will be live streaming our events next season. Our mutual goal is to provide exposure and visibility to racing teams and drivers, opening doors to new opportunities and paving the way for success.

I.M.: How do sponsorships influence the organization and development of races?

M.C.: Sponsorships help us to improve the standards of the events. With strong sponsors, we can improve the overall experience for drivers and teams by offering better infrastructure, prizes, and media exposure. Sponsors often bring visibility which helps attract new drivers and teams.

I.M.: What innovations have you recently introduced in your competitions?

M.C.: We have introduced a top-quality live stream as the first karting series in the UAE. It is not only a live stream but also a media day, drivers interviews and global social exposure. We are currently improving our venue – RAK Track – which is a home of IAME UAE. Venue is undergoing major maintenance to serve well our karting community. We have increased number of rounds of national championship from 7 to 10. Out of these 10 rounds, 4 weekends will be double-headers which means that we will be running two rounds over one weekend which should attract the drivers not only from the UAE but also from abroad. We are focusing on promotion of IAME Middle East Cup which I mentioned earlier. It is one-off event offering great prizes such as IWF tickets and more. IAME MEC 2026 will be held on January 9-11 which is off-season in Europe but a peak season in the Middle East. Just a week earlier, on January 3-4, we will be racing at legendary Yas Marina Circuit – the actual F1 track. It is a great chance for the drivers from abroad to spend off-season in the UAE and take part in two big events mentioned above. That is 4 races within one week only. We are also bringing wet tyres being the first organizer in the region to do so. UAE weather differs from European conditions but we have experienced multiple rain days during race weekends. To ensure smoothness of running an event in case of rainfall, we have decided to bring wet tyres. We are constantly improving out technical side of the organization and therefore, we will be bringing a scrutineer from Europe for selected races of the series.

I.M.: How do you see the future of karting, and what are your plans for the upcoming seasons?

M.C.: My goal is to constantly improve. We are listening to the community and continually introducing changes needed or requested by the community.

I.M.: How do your events help young talents get noticed in the motorsport world?

M.C.: Our events play a crucial role in helping drivers to get noticed and take steps forward in the motorsport world. By organizing races we give young drivers a platform that’s respected and recognized across the industry.

I.M.: Do you collaborate with media, social networks, or streaming platforms to give greater exposure to drivers?

M.C.: We collaborate with Media Friends. Our live stream give great exposure to drivers and teams. We are also very active on social media where we post about the series, updates and achievements of the drivers.

I.M.: Are there specific initiatives to promote the most deserving drivers and provide them with growth opportunities?

M.C.: Media coverage surely helps to promote the most deserving drivers. We promote those drivers by highlighting them in the videos, social media content and interviews during the events.

I.M.: What role do social media play in promoting a driver, and how can they be used effectively?

M.C.: These days, social media plays a huge role in promoting a driver. It gives drivers direct access to sponsors, teams and whole racing community. They can get noticed by not only winning but also being creative. Visibility is extremely important in today’s racing world.

I.M.: Do your races offer prizes or recognitions that help drivers stand out?

M.C.: We help drivers to stand out by being active in social media and promoting the content. Live stream is now the main source of getting noticed by global audience and together with Media Friends we will be working on that in the upcoming season. Prizes for the upcoming season are yet to be announced but I can say that they will be more than just trophies. We are partnering up with a few companies that will offer attractive prizes to our drivers.

I.M.: Do you have connections or open channels with higher-level teams (F4, F3, etc.) to facilitate drivers' transition to professional motorsport?

M.C.: Multiple racing teams participating in the IAME Series UAE have their own F4 teams or they are partnered up with such teams which makes a transitation from karting to F4 and beyond smooth and easy.

I.M.: Do drivers have the opportunity to participate in interviews or exclusive content to promote their image?

M.C.: Yes, drivers are being interviewed during the events. Interviews are shown live during the stream and are also shared in social media after the events.

I.M.: Is there support for creating a professional profile for drivers?

M.C.: I understand that in motorsport a driver’s professional image is just as important as their performance on track. We provide media exposure during and after the events by sharing the photos, videos and other material with the whole karting community. These materials can surely help the drivers to build their professional profiles.

I.M.: Do local drivers have the chance to compete in international events thanks to your organization?

M.C.: Many local drivers start in karting by competing in the IAME Series UAE. After successful season(s) they progress to international karting and later on to F4 and beyond.