Cayman Motoring Federation Wins Prestigious José Abed Award at FIA American Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Buenos Aires, Argentina – 2 September 2026 – The Cayman Motoring Federation (CMF) has been awarded the prestigious 2026 José Abed Award at the FIA American Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, recognising the Federation’s continued progress in motorsport education, particularly through STEM Racing Cayman Islands.

Established by the FIA in 2023, the José Abed Award honours the legacy of the late José Abed, former FIA Vice President for Sport, President of OMDAI and one of the most respected figures in the development of motorsport throughout the Americas. The annual award recognises an FIA sporting club that has made an outstanding contribution to areas including knowledge-sharing, motorsport participation, regional empowerment and the connection between sport and mobility.

For CMF, the recognition reflects the Federation’s commitment to using motorsport not only as a competitive sport, but as a platform for education and opportunity. Through STEM Racing Cayman Islands, students are introduced to engineering, technology, design, innovation, teamwork and project management, while gaining exposure to the wider world of motorsport.

CMF President Jane Scaletta said receiving the award was an important milestone for the Federation and the Cayman Islands.

“Receiving the José Abed Award is an extraordinary honour for the Cayman Motoring Federation and for the Cayman Islands. Education has always been central to what we are building. Motorsport gives us an incredible platform to engage young people in STEM, technology, teamwork and competition, while showing them that there can be a pathway from the classroom into the world of motorsport.”

The award came during a significant Congress for CMF, with Scaletta also invited to speak to FIA Member Clubs about the Federation’s grassroots development and the success Cayman has achieved through the FIA’s Motorsport in a Box initiative.

CMF shared a simple but important message with delegates: a country does not need a large permanent motorsport facility or a Formula One circuit for motorsport to flourish.

For the Cayman Islands, Motorsport in a Box provided a practical starting point. By using portable equipment and suitable temporary venues, CMF was able to create a safe and accessible environment for grassroots competition.

The results have been significant. CMF held its first auto slalom in 2024. In 2025, the programme expanded to four events. In 2026, that growth continued with a structured six-event National Auto Slalom League, creating regular competition and an increasingly established grassroots motorsport community.

“We are a small island nation. We do not have a large permanent motorsport facility, but that does not mean motorsport cannot flourish. We looked at what we had, rather than what we did not have, and built from there,” Scaletta told delegates.

“Motorsport in a Box gave us an accessible starting point. We are building STEM Racing, esports, official’s development and, next, karting.”

That progression has become part of a broader strategy for CMF. Rather than developing individual programmes in isolation, the Federation is working to create connected entry points into motorsport — from students discovering engineering and design through STEM Racing, to young people experiencing competition through esports and karting, and drivers participating in grassroots auto slalom.

Cayman’s experience also carries a wider message for other smaller FIA Member Clubs and island nations across the Americas. Limited land, infrastructure and resources do not necessarily have to prevent the development of motorsport. By starting with accessible disciplines, developing participation and growing progressively, smaller countries can create sustainable motorsport programmes suited to their own communities.

For CMF, being able to share that experience with fellow FIA Member Clubs and then receive the José Abed Award during the same Congress made the occasion particularly meaningful.

“For the Cayman Islands to receive this recognition among FIA Member Clubs from across the Americas is something we are extremely proud of,” Scaletta said.

“This award belongs to our students, teachers and schools, our competitors and volunteers, our sponsors and partners, the CMF team, and everyone who has believed in what we are building.”

“Most importantly, it demonstrates something we strongly believe: the size of a country does not determine the size of its impact.”

CMF will now continue building on that momentum through the next season of STEM Racing Cayman Islands, the continued development of the National Auto Slalom League and esports, and plans to introduce karting, further expanding the pathways available to Cayman’s next generation of motorsport participants.

About the Cayman Motoring Federation

The Cayman Motoring Federation is the National Sporting Authority (ASN) for motorsport in the Cayman Islands and a Full Member of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). CMF is committed to developing motorsport and mobility through education, governance, road safety and sustainable grassroots participation while creating opportunities for drivers, officials and volunteers across the Cayman Islands.