At just 13 years old, Adelbert ‘Dale’ S. Fama Jr., born and raised in Dubai, is making waves in the world of karting. Despite being homeschooled and navigating life with ADHD, Dale has already achieved milestones that many young racers can only dream of. From his first karting lesson at Dubai Karting Academy in January to clinching the title of Junior Ramadan Sprint Cup Challenge Champion at Karting Town Racetrack in Sharjah last April, Dale has proven that passion and determination can pave the road to success.
Dale’s love for fast cars started early. “Most of my toys as a toddler were cars,” he shared with The Global Filipino Magazine. Watching movies like Cars and taking a picture with a real Formula 1 car last year cemented his dream of becoming a racer. “They even let me hold a trophy and a checkered flag, and I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’” Dale describes the feeling of being behind the wheel as exhilarating. “I feel immense happiness and an adrenaline rush to beat my old lap time record.”
His journey hasn’t been without challenges. Balancing homeschooling with an intense racing schedule is no easy feat. “Last Ramadan, there were a lot of races across different tracks in the UAE, and I fell behind on my studies,” he admitted. “I had to study on weekends to catch up.” However, Dale sees homeschooling as an advantage. “I get to decide how to use my time,” he said, adding that daily workouts keep him physically ready for races.
Dale attributes much of his success to his parents. His father, a telecommunications engineer, funds his racing activities, while his mother, a homemaker, drives him to practices and races. “She’s my driver,” Dale said with a smile. His family’s love for motorsports grew after watching the popular series Drive to Survive. “Now, we’re all fans of F1,” he added.
With several trophies under his belt, including his first racing medal in March and a P2 finish shortly after, Dale dreams of racing professionally. “I’ll keep racing as long as my parents can afford it,” he said. “If I’m worthy of a sponsor, I’ll pursue my passion.”
When not racing, Dale enjoys drawing, building Legos, and playing badminton. He looks up to F1 legends Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for their excellence on the track.
