Kuala Lumpur: The Meritus JK Racing Asia Series team confirms sponsorship of the 2011 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals. The Al Ain Raceway (UAE) hosts the Grand Finals from 19 to 26 October.  The Rotax Max Champion will be awarded a two-day scholarship test in a Formula JK Series racecar with Meritus.GP. The test scholarship will be held during January 2012 on the Sepang Formula One circuit in Malaysia.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA Vice President and President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE is thrilled that the event has returned to Al Ain after the emirate first staged the race in 2007 and commented: " I am happy that our Arab/Asian owned Meritus team have again provided a significant motorsport scholarship, it sends the right signals out to the youths, that talent will be recognized. It is important to encourage young talent from the grass-roots, and karting is where the sport begins", Sulayem said while welcoming Meritus' initiative to now fund a two-day development programme for upcoming drivers at the Sepang circuit in a Meritus.GP car.

The international CIK event is one of the most prestigious championships in the world of karting applying the Olympic spirit to an international semi-professional kart racing series. National champions from each of the Rotax classes are invited to the Grand Finals.  This year the 12th Annual World Final event will see 262 drivers from 60 countries fighting for World Titles.

Meritus.GP is one of the top Asian race organizations and winners of 34 Asian motorsport titles, including seven Formula BMW Asia/Pacific titles. The JK Racing Asia Series was formerly known as Formula BMW Asia from 2003-2008, and Formula BMW Pacific from 2009-2010. When BMW pulled out of formula racing in 2010, Motorsport Asia took over the title rights of the series and entered into an agreement with Mr Ecclestone and Formula One Management.

The JK Series continues to support three Formula One Grand Prix in 2011 with Malaysia, Singapore and India Grand Prix on the calendar, while being a part of the Asian Festival Of Speed in Malaysia and Indonesia. The 2012 Season is expected to expand to a 7-event format with additional events in Japan and Korea.

The purpose of the JK Racing Asia Series is to provide a platform to develop young karting talents towards their ‘dream’ of Formula 1. The JK Series winner will be awarded a test with one of the leading GP2 Teams, which is just one step from Formula 1. This GP2 test will not only provide further motivation for JKRACERS to secure the JK Racing Asia Title, but will also give them an opportunity to understand what will be expected from them in their future careers.

Meritus are proud of their association with karting and, through the JK Racing Asia Series, we provide the initial step for karters and their families seeking a long-term career in motorsport.

President of Meritus.GP Peter Thompson says:  “we are happy to award the JKTEST Scholarship to the winner of the prestigious Rotax World Finals and we hope it will become an annual scholarship to promote and motivate young karters.”

Thompson goes on to say: “We have an in-house motorsport responsibility programme and we are delighted to support His Excellency Mohammed Bin Sulayem initiative and to encourage young UAE karters to join this truly international event. We are the only truly Middle East team that offers all the steps on the motorsport ladder from karting to the doorstep of F1 and we have a responsibility to find and educate young karters and their families in their transition to formula motorsport and we are proud to support Al Ain Raceway and encourage young drivers from the UAE to take up the sport.