It is believed that for reasons based at least in part on national security, the State of Israel banned all forms of motorsports competition, including outdoor go-karts, until 2011 when the government of Israel waved the "green flag". Compounding the scarcity of Israeli drivers in international competition involving stock car, open wheel, sports car, and motorcycle races is Israel’s mandatory requirement for all males and females to serve in the military when they reach the age of 18. Currently that obligation is 32 months for males, 28 months for females.

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In addition to the law change, a significant development was the ground breaking efforts of Tel Aviv native ALON DAY to obtain "Outstanding Athlete" status from the Israel Defense Forces. This distinction permitted serious athletes to complete their military service while receiving time off for sports training and competition. ALON DAY was Israel’s first motorsports athlete to be recognized as eligible for such status. By that time, ALON DAY had already established himself as a Champion Formula open wheel driver.

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Subsequently, ALON DAY raced in the United States in Indy-style open wheel and GT sports car races, and stock car competition in the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing ("NASCAR") Whelen Euro Series. Most recently, ALON DAY is the first Israeli to compete in the United States in NASCAR’s elite Camping World Truck Series, XFINITY Series, and has competed in the NASCAR’s highest level, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.

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Alon was crowned 2017 & 2018 Champion in NASCAR's European Series.  In all of his international races, ALON DAY proudly displays his allegiance to the State of Israel. He was awarded the title 2016 Israel Athlete of the Year by the Ministry of Culture and Sport. 

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Following the path blazed by ALON DAY is BAR BARUCH of Karmiel, Israel. BARUCH is competing internationally in both GT and Formula race cars. He was the second race car driver to receive "Outstanding Athlete" status by the IDF.

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Also receiving such status by the IDF is ROY NISSANY, an Israeli Formula driver on the verge of competing in Formula 1, the highest level of that series.

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All of these race car drivers have experienced the same hardship, the lack of race tracks and training facilities in Israel. This is a condition that RACING FOR ISRAEL, Inc. intends to help change.

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Without the requirement for race tracks, motocross, a cross-country form motocycle racing has been popular for many years in Israel. However, the majority of Israel’s motorcross racers compete where such activities remain illegal. There are very few government approved race courses and the required licenses for race courses and drivers are expensive and difficult to come by. Those circumstances have limited the ability of young Israeli boys and girls to learn the skills necessary to compete internationally.

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Among the Israeli motocross racers who have overcome these obstacles is ZIV KARMI, a 29 year old native of Pardes Hanna-Kaskur, Israel. KARMI was the Israel Champion in the category of Professional E1 in 2010/2011. More recently, he represented Israel in Motocross of Nations, Maggiora, Italy in 2016.

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ADDITIONAL ISRAELI MOTORSPORTS ATHLETES OF NOTE

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Off Road Rally Competitors, RAZ HEYMANN & HILLEL SEGAL, have been competing in both domestic and international Rally competitions for 11 years, and have won the Israeli Championship through the last 8 years. Their website is www.razhillel.co.il  They can be contacted at nava.mendelson@gmail.com

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At the age of 29, ADAM MAHROK is one of 10 Supermoto riders of Ivan Lazzarini's L30 Racing Team.  After improving his times significantly during 2016, ADAM MAHROK is expected to participate in The 2017 Italian Supermoto National league.

He can be contacted at nava.mendelson@gmail.com

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