A second place finish for UAE's Little Alonso in Italy

Dubai, September 16, 2014 – Six-year old schoolboy Rashid Al Dhaheri returned home to Abu Dhabi with a big trophy for his efforts this past weekend (12-14 September) in the Trofeo Academy Championkart (Italian Championship) at Ala Karting Circuit near Verona.

The youngster - popularly known as Little Alonso - who is on the final stages of an intensive summer karting campaign in Italy, continued his busy schedule with 12 practice sessions driving more than 180km on the challenging circuit on the foot of the Alps, in sunny and fresh conditions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

It did not take long for Al Dhaheri to find his rhythm in the Baby Academy field despite it being his first visit to the karting venue in northern Italy. He was soon at the sharp end of the timing screens and among the pace setters.

In the first heat, starting 16th out of 25 drivers, Al Dhaheri gave a gutsy performance as he powered through the field to take fourth place in the eight minutes heat and again impressing the paddock with his constantly improving race-craft and clean driving.

From second place on the grid Al Dhaheri challenged for the lead in heat two, and managed to hold on to take second place - a good reward for a tough weekend in the category 6-10 years old drivers.

Al Dhaheri is campaigning in the Trofeo Academy Championkart Championship with Parolin kart, and has become a benchmark junior driver for the global manufacturer who has designed a special kart for the diminutive Emirati boy.

At the end of the race weekend, managing director Albino Parolin reflected on Al Dhaheri's showing at Ala: "We are very pleased to have a talented young driver like Rashid in our championship and we hope the newly designed kart suits his talent and performance. I am very pleased with the speed he had throughout the week end."

Al Dhaheri travels to Jesolo for the next round of his Italian campaign, for the race weekend on 26-28 September at the Pista Azurra in Jesolo near Venice.