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Team UAE drivers and team manager Guy Sheffield look ahead to the forthcoming week of racing at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals being held as Circuito Internazionale di Napoli in Sarno, Italy, from 19 to 26 October.
Team UAE drivers preview the world championships finals week:
No.26: Adam Al Azhari (10-year-old) Micro MAX
"Adam Al Azhari has just turned 10 years old and he’s ready to compete for his top position in the World ranking. He’s been training since the age of 5 and racing since the age of 7. Adam looks forward to representing Team UAE professionally along with his mechanic George Gibbons."
No.119: Harry Hannam (11-year-old) Mini MAX
"After finishing 5th in the Micro MAX class at the Grand Finals last year in Brazil, including starting the last years final from pole position, I'm looking to replicate that form and be running at the front end of the Mini MAX Class all week. I have Elliot Harvey overseeing me as driver-coach and mechanic, one of the best-wet weather kart drivers from the UK in recent years and his experience is sure to help me if we get rainy conditions this week."
No.228: Georgie Zouein (14-year-old) Junior MAX
"Qualifying for the karting world championship at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals is a dream come true for me and it’s a great honour to be representing the UAE, my home for the past 10 years. I’ve been preparing physically and mentally for this amazing event and one of my goals is to first and foremost have fun and enjoy the racing against the best drivers in the world, and get to meet them off track because it’s a great opportunity to make new friends. The Grand Finals is also a great test of my experience and what I have learned over the past year. And because I have a purpose for my racing which focuses on dedicating my achievements to touch the lives of unfortunate kids - through my #RacingForHappiness charity program - I am going to work hard, focus and consistently move forward so that I can achieve small little wins which I can dedicate towards more kids in need with my program. My primary goal will be to make the Final, then fight to get into the Top 15. Any goal I achieve will certainly be a great opportunity to touch the life of a new kid in need. Wish me luck!"
No.229: Khaled Saab (14-year-old) Junior MAX
“This is obviously a huge challenge for me. It's a track I've never been to and up against some serious competition. Also, the weather is something I'll need to quickly adapt to. I'm going to have to be focused from the get-go in practice as I'm determined to do TEAM UAE proud. All I can do is give 100% and that's what I intend to do.”
No.324: Lachlan Robinson (16-year-old) Senior MAX
"I am extremely thankful and proud to be able to represent the UAE at my third RMC Grand Finals. It has always been an honour to attend such a great event and this year will be extra special given it is probably the last time the Brothers Robinson will be racing here together. My main goals for 2019 are to enjoy the experience and target making the final after narrowly missing last years final due to a mechanical issue in my first heat. The competition, as always, will be world-class and I am really looking forward to the event."
No.430: Jakob Robinson (18-year-old) DD2
"This will be my third RMC Grand Finals and, most likely, my last given I have now commenced my University studies in the UK. It is also the third time that my brother (Lachlan) and I have been honoured to represent the UAE at the Grand Finals. I believe we, along with the Bezel Brothers from the Czech Republic, are the first to do so. This is also a massive honour and something I am extremely proud of achieving with Lachlan. Having finished 16th in Brazil last year, my main goal for 2019 is to enjoy the experience, soak up the atmosphere and race hard against the best in the world. If I do this, the results will follow."
No.432: Kyle Kumaran (16-year-old) DD2
"It is my first Rotax Grand Finals as I have only been racing for a little over two years and I have been told repeatedly what a great experience this is going to be and I can’t wait to get to the track at Sarno. I was not able to make it to Brazil last year sadly at the last minute. So I intend to make the best of it this year. My goal for the duration of the RMCGF 2019 is to gain as much experience as I can with this awesome opportunity and try as hard as possible to get myself into contention for the top of the field."
No.524: Gianluca Elmosi (44-year-old) DD2 Master
"RMCGF 2019 again and again as I said last year, to be part of the world final is simply amazing and I would do all my best for UAE flag and Al Ain Raceway, my home and family. Vamos!"
No.525: Hussain Umid Ali (36-year-old) DD2 Master
"This is a big event in karting and I am glad to have experience at this level from previous RMC Finals, but it is a level playing field for everyone and hard to predict the outcome. The goal is to give the maximum and be the best with the UAE flag at the top of the podium."
No.523: Tony Hogg (54-year-old) DD2 Master
"This is my fifth RMGF, I am delighted to be representing the UAE once again and I am looking forward to taking on the fantastic track at Sarno and of course the 72 masters drivers all vying for a spot in the Grand Final, my objective initially is to make the Grand Final, I wish all the drivers the best of luck.
Guy Sheffield, UAE Team Manager: "Today the drivers were able to sample the Sarno track layout using rental karts ahead of Sunday's Kart draw which will keep them and their mechanics busy throughout the day. Track action starts on Monday with free practice. Weather is likely to play a role in proceedings with rain expected on Friday and Saturday over the region which will provide additional challenges for all drivers. The beauty of the RMC Grand Finals is that it is the most level playing field possible in kart racing. Making it through to the Final on Saturday will be the goal for all the lads. From there, anything can happen and often does."
On Saturday, over 300 drivers from around the world, Rotax Max Challenge champions and frontrunners in their respective homelands, were signed-on and underwent scrutineering. This will be followed by the Kart draw and assembly thereof on Sunday with free practice starting on Monday morning.
Schedule: https://www.rotax-kart.com/upload/files/5459.pdf
Live Stream: https://www.rotax-kart.com/en/Max-Challenge/Grand-Finals/Grand-Finals-2019/LIVESTREAM
Live Timing: https://www.rotax-kart.com/en/Max-Challenge/Grand-Finals/Grand-Finals-2019/LIVE-TIMING
UAE RMC Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/officialuaermcpage/
RMC Website: http://www.alainraceway.com/uaermc/
Paul Velasco
