24 January 2020
(23 January 2020 - Abu Dhabi, UAE) There is something very special about this weekend's UAE Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) which marks the resumption of 'hostilities' and Round 5 of the series under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council at one of the most iconic racing venues in the world.
Yas Marina Circuit is the crown jewel in the Formula 1 calendar, in November the sparkling venue hosted the final round of the world championship, fast forward to this weekend and the regions premier karting series is privileged to do battle on the temporary built karting track on the seven-star venue.
On this pristine stage, the UAE's finest drivers assemble for the two days of top competition and close racing at Yas Marina. With the series entering the second half of the season, championship title matters have entered the make-or-break stage.
Kyle Kumaran has established himself as the man to beat in the DD2 Class and leads the standings on 400 points, with Constantin Reisch trailing him by two points, while Tony Hogg in the DD2 Masters will be looking to extend his lead over Dario Rubio.
The Senior Max class has been an action-packed affair, sprinkled with drama and intrigue, as several of the UAE's best young drivers slug it out for top honours. Khaled Ray Saab leads the standings with 408 points, followed by Theo Kekati eight points adrift.
With Lachlan Robinson absent from this round, the title fight looks to have been whittled down to a tussle between Saab and Kekati who showed last time out they are a match for the Team UAE's Grand Finals hero.
Expect this trio to be at the forefront, going toe-to-toe in the title race that will earn the champion to the RMC Grand Finals later this year.
.jpg)
Georgie Zouein leads the Junior Max class which is also proving to be ultra-competitive this season with strong fields and several drivers capable of snatching victory including the likes of Kamal Agha. The junior grid is packed with drivers capable of upsetting the form book including the likes of Kayne Cherian, Anshul Gandhi, Alexander Renner and William Wade to name some. Expect fireworks!
Beating Harry Hannam will be the mission for his rivals in Mini Max in the second half of this season of all. The likes of Bertie Gibbons, Lewis England and Krishna Shankar will need to raise their collective game to match the pace-setter.
There is little to separate Benjamin Wade and Seb Murray in the Micro Max class, and the pair are expected to be at the sharp end of proceedings in the second half of this season, starting at Yas, with Shivali Sinha looking to upset the form book.
Looking ahead to Round 5, Al Ain Raceway Club Director Guy Sheffield commented: "It seems a long time since our last round in December, thus no surprise everyone is fired up for this one. And of course, going to Yas Marina, the only F1 circuit in the world that hosts karting on the same tarmac the great F1 drivers have raced on - what a great privilege.
"Of course this brings out the best in competitors who inevitably want to shine on the unique stage. It also shows that the Yas Marina Circuit management are committed to promoting the sport at the grassroots level, and the mutual respect for both our organisations.
"On track, we are braced for a weekend of high-speed and close racing, along with the inevitable excitement and drama that those ingredients can dish-up at this unique grand prix track turned karting track for Round 5 of our championship," concluded Sheffield.
The weekend of RMC racing at Yas Marina will begin on Friday morning with qualifying races and heats with the Pre-Finals and Finals taking place on Saturday.
Useful Links
Timetable: http://www.alainraceway.com/uaermc/uploads/banners/200110Schedule-ROUND5.pdf
UAE Rotax MAX Challenge Website: http://www.alainraceway.com/uaermc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialuaermcpage/
UAE RMC 2019 Race Calendar:http://www.alainraceway.com/uaermc/race-calender
Race Results: http://www.alainraceway.com/uaermc/race-results
Championship Standings: http://www.alainraceway.com/uaermc/championship-standings
