What is DAKA — and How It Differs from Racing with a Team Like Motorscape in Rotax & IAME
- Motorscape Middle East
- Oct 14
- 4 min read
The First Step into UAE Karting
If you’ve been to Dubai Kartdrome, chances are you’ve seen children taking their first laps in the Dubai Autodrome Karting Academy (DAKA). It’s one of the UAE’s most recognised starting points for kids eager to discover the thrill of motorsport.
But for many parents and young racers, the question soon arises:
“What comes after DAKA — and how do I move from learning to racing?”
This guide breaks down the various journeys — from Bambino karting, or DAKA, and finally joining a professional race team such as Motorscape, competing in Rotax Max Challenge UAE and IAME UAE Series.
What Is DAKA (Dubai Autodrome Karting Academy)?
DAKA is a structured programme for children aged 7 to 16 years old. It introduces future drivers to the fundamentals of racing in a fun yet disciplined environment.
Each level of DAKA focuses on:
Understanding racing lines, braking zones, and throttle control
Building kart handling skills and awareness on track
Developing discipline, safety, and sportsmanship
A major advantage of DAKA is that the academy provides the 4-stroke, typically 9–13 horsepower karts, removing the need to purchase equipment right away. This makes it an accessible and affordable way for families to test their child’s interest in the sport before investing in their own race kart.
👉 Related website: Dubai Autodrome Karting Academy
The Bambino Karting Pathway (Ages 5–8)
For children younger than 8, the journey starts with Bambino Karting — an introductory class designed for ages 5–8 years.
Bambino sessions focus on:
Seat fit, steering control, and throttle discipline
Understanding braking and acceleration in a safe setting
Building comfort and confidence on the track
Unlike DAKA, Bambino drivers must have their own Bambino kart. Motorscape offers Bambino Discovery Sessions to help families experience a real race-kart setup, including seat fitting, safety gear familiarisation, and basic driving instruction. As a guideline, prepare a budget of min. AED15,000 for a brand new rolling kart with Comer engine.
It’s the perfect foundation before graduating into DAKA or advancing to the IAME Bambino and Rotax Micro Max racing categories, depending on your child's age.
👉 Explore: Motorscape Bambino Discovery Sessions
From Academy to Team — Joining Motorscape Racing
After completing DAKA or earning an EMSO licence, many drivers take the next step: joining a professional race team.
Motorscape Racing Team represents that leap — offering a full professional setup and support system for young drivers entering competitive karting.
Drivers can choose to participate in:
🏆 Rotax Max Challenge UAE (RMC)
🏆 IAME UAE Series
🏆 Selected national/international events like Champions of the Future Academy
What Motorscape Provides
Technical & Mechanical Support – Professional mechanics and engineers managing your kart setup.
Race Management – Full logistics, strategy, and tent hospitality at every round.
Team Environment – Shared learning, camaraderie, and support across categories.
It’s here that learning transforms into true racing — where drivers push lap times, study telemetry, and chase podiums. Some drivers opt for additional Driver Coaching, where it is personalised, data-driven feedback to improve pace and racecraft.
👉 Meet the Team: Motorscape Racing Drivers
🏁 Progression Path 1
Bambino → Championship Racing
Start Young – Bambino builds familiarity and fun, get in track time
Race Competitively – Obtain EMSO Karting Licence. Motorscape supports you through Dubai Bambino Cup time trial races.
🏁 Progression Path 2
DAKA → Championship Racing
Learn the Fundamentals – DAKA develops technique and discipline.
Race Competitively – Obtain EMSO Karting Licence. Motorscape supports you through real championships and competitive grids.
Many of today’s UAE karting talents began in DAKA or Bambino sessions and went on to compete and win under team colours like Motorscape.
Your EMSO Karting Licence
Within DAKA, drivers have the option to take the ARKS test (Association of Racing Kart Schools test), a key step toward earning an official EMSO competition licence issued by the Emirates Motorsports Organization.
Holding an EMSO licence allows a driver to participate in officially sanctioned karting championships in the UAE, including:
Rotax Max Challenge UAE (RMC)
IAME UAE Series
DAMC Karting Championships
Passing the ARKS test marks the transition from learning to racing, giving young drivers the credentials to compete under professional rules and safety standards.
Common Misconceptions: “Karting Academies” and Certified Coaches
Many new parents entering the sport assume that karting operates like a structured academy programme — with a fixed curriculum, certified coaching staff, and standardised progress reports.
In reality, once a driver moves beyond DAKA, karting development revolves around track time, experience, and personal guidance, not classroom-style teaching.
Here’s what that means in practice:
Track time is everything. Progress comes from consistent laps and exposure to different race conditions.
Coaching is individualised. Some parents hire additional driver coaches, often experienced or retired racers, to refine performance, race craft, and race psychology.
There is no official “certification” for karting coaches. Unlike football or tennis, karting doesn’t have a governing body issuing coaching licences. Knowledge is passed down through experience, not formal qualification.
So while DAKA offers structured learning, the next stages of karting rely heavily on real racing, data analysis, and mentorship within a professional team like Motorscape.
📩 Ready to race? Get in touch with our team to learn more about joining Motorscape Racing for the upcoming Rotax UAE and IAME UAE 2025–26 season.
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