09 November 2015
A strong Team UAE contingent have arrived in the Algarve holiday town of Portimao, in Portugal, where they are part of 288 champion drivers who will participate in the 2015 Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals
(RMCGF) from November 8 to 14.
Team UAE driver line-up:
Junior Max - Amna Al Qubaisi (Leading Junior MAX Emirati National)
Junior Max - Taymour Kermanshahchi (UAE Junior MAX Champion)
Max - Tom Bale (UAE MAX Champion)
Max - Patrick Hannah (UAE MAX Runner-Up)
DD2 - Piers Pakenham-Walsh (UAE DD2 Champion)
DD2 - Luke Varley 2009 MAX World Champion, Abu Dhabi Racing)
DD2 Master - Jonathan Mowatt (UAE DD2 Master Champion)
DD2 Master - Tony Hogg (UAE DD2 Master Runner-Up)
DD2 Master - Hussain Umid Ali (Oman DD2 Master Champion)
Drivers face a challenging schedule of practice and qualifying sessions, along with several heat races between Tuesday and Friday, which culminate in the Pre-Finals and Grand Finals on Saturday.
Today (Monday, 9 November) drivers took delivery of their brand new karts, engines and related equipment as the organisers provide all competitors with what they require to compete, which ensures a level playing field and has become the benchmark series of its kind in the world of karting.
The event features all the Rotax MAX champions from more than fifty countries competinng for one of the most prestigious titles in international karting.
In last year's edition of the Grand Finals, UAE based, Sean Babington won the DD2 World championship title, and with it established the country on the role of honour. This year Babington is absent, unable to defend his title due to personal reasons. His place in the squad has been taken by 2009 MAX World Champion Luke Varley who is Team Manager for Abu Dhabi Racing's Daman Speed Academy.
Abu Dhabi school girl Amna Al Qubaisi makes history by becoming the first female driver in Team UAE at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals and is one of several lady drivers who will be in action this week in Portimao. The Daman Speed Academy driver qualified for the finals as a Wildcard entry, in recognition of her efforts and success in the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge championship.
Peter Oelsinger, Vice-President, Rotax Propulsion Systems at BRP said, "The Portimao circuit is a great venue for the RMCGF, as it meets all requirements in terms of track surface and overall infrastructure. Participants will race for the first time [in a Grand Finals] with the new MAX Evo engine, which should tighten the field and make the races even more thrilling."
Team UAE Manager Guy Sheffield said, "It is an honour and privilege for our team to be part of the Rotax Grand Finals with such a strong line-up of drivers. Our team gets stronger each year, and at this 16th edition of the event we are confident of an impressive showing by the drivers who will fly the UAE flag this weekend."
Useful links:
Al Ain Raceway Facebook Page for updates>>>
