Preview: Round 7 of the 2019-2020 UAE Rotax MAX Challenge at Al Ain Raceway

03 March 2020

Preview: Round 7 of the 2019-2020 UAE Rotax MAX Challenge at Al Ain Raceway

Al Ain Raceway (AAR) hosts the seventh and penultimate round of the 2019-2020 UAE Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) on the 1.6 km International track configuration - the longest and arguably most challenging layout which will also be demanding on drivers and teams.

After the success of the coupling of the MENA Karting Championship with Round 6 of the series last month in Muscat, it's back home for the UAE RMC contingent for battle on familiar territory for a weekend where championship leaders - champions in waiting - will face their sternest challenge, as rivals ramp up their efforts for the final two races in which 260 points are still up for grabs, meaning that the championship titles are by no means foregone conclusions.

Heading to this race Kyle Kumaran has been almost unbeatable in his quest for the DD2 title, leading by 58 points, and it will need a special effort from Constantin Reisch, who has emerged as the strongest challenger, to stop him. Nadim Khneisser and Marcus Marker will also be keen to leave a mark on the final races of the season in which they have emerged as two young drivers with plenty of success ahead of them.

In the DD2 Masters, veteran Tony Hogg will be looking to extend his 62 points lead over Dario Rubio.

Khaled Saab has established himself as the driver to beat in the Senior MAX class with his consistency and speed which sees him heading to Round 7 leading the standings by 54 points over Theo Kekati, his closest challenger.

On any given race day there has been little to separate the pair, but Saab has made it count with victories in every point scoring session with Kekati on his bumper and their battle should be one of the highlights of the day. They will be chased hard by Jacopo Mazza.

One title that is sure to go down to the wire is the Junior MAX class where Georgie Zouein leads Kamal Agha by a mere six points in what has already been an enthralling contest between outright speed and relentless consistency.

While Agha tends to set the pace on race days, Zouein has been hauling in the points with shrewd driving which sets the stage for a riveting battle between the duo in the final two race weekends that remain this season, continuing this Saturday.

Behind the pair, a posse of young guns is embroiled into their own fight for third place in the championship standings with Kayne Cherian, Zack Scoular, Alexander Renner, William Wade and Anshul Gandhi separated by only by 75 points, setting the stage for fireworks.

Harry Hannam has been the class of the Mini MAX field from the first day of this season. Seldom beaten he heads the championship with 730 points from the 24 points scoring races thus far, and enjoys a 96 points lead over Bertie Gibbons who has emerged best of the rest in this class.

Other notable drivers in the field capable of springing a surprise on race day are the likes of Krishna Shankar, Adam Jones, Ryan Nagle and young lady racers Alisia Khneisser and Sofia Necchi.

In Micro MAX, Benjamin Wade has all but wrapped up the title with 722 points at the top of the table, 108 ahead of Shivali Sinha and Zain Elhommossany followed by Adam Awan, Seb Murray and Max Murray chasing.

Elhommossany will be targeting second-place in the championship after a strong showing during the last round in Oman, as he only trails Sinha by 21 points in the duel for runner-up.

Championship Director Guy Sheffield said in his preview: "Two rounds to go and still quite a lot to play for because in racing nothing is ever certain. We welcome drivers to arguably the most challenging circuit option at our venue: the International configuration which at 1.6 km will test drivers and their equipment to the maximum.

"We are now in the 'anything can happen' stage of the championships and while some titles are close to being won, there is still a great deal of racing to be done with 260 points up for grabs in each class during these final two rounds. We expect some very close racing in this round."

Action at Al Ain Raceway begins with practice on Friday, with Qualifying and Heat races on Saturday morning, followed by Pre-Finals and Finals in the afternoon.

The seventh round of the 2019-2020 UAE RMC is held under the auspices and with support from Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Top three 2019/2020 UAE RMC championship standings after six rounds:

DD2

1)Kyle Kumaran 708

2)Constatin Reisch 650

3)Anthony Hogg 580

DD2 Master

1)Anthony Hogg 580

2)Dario Rubio 518

3)Maurizio Colombo 471

Senior MAX

1)Khaled Ray Saab 728