18 March 2015
With the proud support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge returns for the 3rd year running to the iconic Yas Marina Circuit for Round 11 of the UAE’s National Karting Championship on Friday 20th March 2015.
This penultimate round of the series could see an all-time record attendance with in excess of 90 drivers competing in the various classes in pursuit of the coveted Championship Titles. This includes a National record 26 competitors in the Junior MAX category!
The various class championships are still wide open although there are some clear title contenders emerging as the business end of the season fast approaches.
Reigning World Champion, Sean Babington, leads the premier DD2 class but a slip-up at the last round enabled fierce rival, Piers Pakenham-Walsh, to close the gap with a well-deserved win so it is still all to play for with just two events remaining. Newly-crowned Oman National DD2 Champion, Sanad Al Rawahi, will also be in the mix as he looks to add the UAE title to his list of accolades.
In the DD2 Masters category (31yrs +) news of leader, Maurits Knopjes’, retirement has blown the title race wide open with Jonathan Mowatt leading the charge to usurp him at the top of the table. With virtually nothing between Jonathan, Kevin Day, Andrew Fuller and Anthony Hogg this one is likely to go down to the wire which makes a solid result critical heading into the season finale next month.
Tom Bale has been in serene form in the MAX class and he is going into the weekend as the man to beat but he will be under huge pressure from championship rivals Giulio Peroni and the high-flying Patrick Hannah who recently confirmed his status as the Oman National MAX Champion.
Taymour Kermanshahchi will aim to continue his hugely impressive run in the Junior MAX class as he homes in on the title. With 8 wins out of 10 this season his number 1 ranking is richly deserved. However, Fraser Rose, Khalid Al Wahaibi, Alain Bauwmans and Jakob Robinson can all mathematically still take the title and will be aiming to remain in contention until the final Round in April. The 26 competitors registered for this weekend has set a new National record for the largest ever grid size so it promises to be a truly thrilling spectacle.
Mini MAX class leader, Sem Knopjes, is still grinding out the results he needs to take him to the title but the pressure is being cranked up by both Liam Crystal and Shihab Al Habsi who both finished ahead of Sem at the last race. The only female driver in the class, Hamda Al Qubaisi is certainly one to watch out for. Currently sitting in 5th overall after a run of 3 podium finishes in her last 6 races, Hamda will be looking to get her hands onto some more silverware in front of her home fans at her home track.
After delivering the race of the day at the previous round, the top Micro MAX contenders will again be attracting attention as Ziggy Kermanshahchi looks to maintain his slender advantage over Jamie Day, Theo Kekati, Alex Connor and Khaled Saab. The fast, flowing nature of the Yas Marina layout coupled with the masses of evenly-matched Micro MAX drivers could make this the most exciting race group on the schedule.
Administrative and safety checks will be carried out before Practice and Qualifying sessions in the morning. Racing starts at around midday with the Finals set to run between 2pm and 5pm.Entrance is free for spectators. All are welcome.
