Let the games begin

21 October 2019

Let the games begin

Team UAE driver Harry Hannam in action during the first day of Mini MAX practice on day one of the 2019 RMC Grand Finals in Naples

Team UAE drivers got their first taste of track action ahead of this weekend's 2019 Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) Grand Finals at Circuito Internationale di Napoli in Sarno.

Unusually hot conditions greeted the 360 drivers from 60 nations as they took to the track for the first day of free practice with 24 sessions of 15 minutes for each of the classes.

Tradition has it that day one at the Grand Finals is one where drivers familiarise themselves with the track, first-timers at Sarno using the valuable time to learn the circuit while others reacquaint themselves with a venue that has hosted the likes of Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg, Michael Schumacher among many legends of the sport.

This year, as always, champions of RMC from around the world will battle it out for one of the most respected karting series, described by many as the Olympics of motorsport.

Representing Team UAE, under the auspices of Al Ain Raceway, this year are:

No.26: Adam Al Azhari - Micro MAX

No.119: Harry Hannam - Mini MAX

No.228: Georgie Zouein - Junior MAX

No.229: Khaled Saab - Junior MAX

No.324: Lachlan Robinson - Senior MAX

No.430: Jakob Robinson - DD2

No.432: Kyle Kumaran- DD2

No.523: Tony Hogg - DD2 Master

No.524: Gianluca Elmosi- DD2 Master

No.525: Hussain Umid Ali - DD2 Master

Speaking at the end of the first day, team manager Guy Sheffield summed up: "The hot weather played into the hands of the UAE drivers as they come to terms of track conditions and sizing up their rivals for what will be a week of hard racing.

"Although practice means little at this stage of the game, it was good to see that several of the UAE drivers acquitted themselves well and proved capable of running at the sharp end.

"Inevitably there were a few niggles, but that's why we have practice so drivers can sort these issues out as they build-up to the serious end of proceedings later this week," added Sheffield.

On Tuesday drivers will again have two practice sessions with the Heat races set to start on Wednesday followed by the Pre-Finals on Friday and the Finals on Saturday.