31 March 2015
With the proud support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge 2014-15 will reach its dramatic conclusion on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th April 2015 at Al Ain Raceway. With an extended format and double-points up for grabs, the UAEs National Karting Championship will see all class titles decided and the worthy Champions crowned.
The 12-round series has enjoyed its most successful season ever with the total number of competitors in each category larger than all previous years and the level of competition at an all-time high.
In all-but-one category the National Championship titles, and accompanying silverware, are still to be settled but arguably the biggest prize on offer will be the opportunity to represent the UAE at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2015 which will be held in Portugal in November.
The most hotly contested category is the premier DD2 class where reigning World Champion, Sean Babington, holds the slenderest of leads over fierce rival and reigning UAE Champion, Piers Pakenham-Walsh, withnewly-crowned Oman Champion, Sanad Al Rawahi, also in close contention. These three have dominated the podium places all year and are vying for one of the coveted tickets to the Grand Finals which is likely to be awarded to the victor.
Jonathan Mowatt has emerged as the overall frontrunner in the DD2 Masters category (31yrs +) but his lead is still vulnerable with the large number of points available and,
with only a handful of points between Maurits Knopjes, Andrew Fuller, Kevin Day and Tony Hogg (who occupy 2nd to 5th in the standings respectively), this one will not be settled until the chequered flag brings Saturdays Final to an end.
Tom Bale has already fulfilled his quest to become UAE MAX Champion. His blistering performances during the middle part of the season have seen to it that, mathematically, he cannot be caught. As a result he can enjoy a pressure-free weekend as the titanic battle for runner-up spot rages between Giulio Peroni and Patrick Hannah, themselves separated by only a few points going into this final round. Alexandre Silanine, Shahin Dargahi and Alessandro Stura also have an outside chance of a finishing on the Championship podium.
Taymour Kermanshahchi has not been off the podium all season in Junior MAX, his scintillating form underlined by an incredible 9 wins out of a possible 11! But despite that formidable record, his Championship title is still not 100% guaranteed thanks to the consistently impressive performances of Fraser Rose who occupies 2nd place in the standings. Behind these two, Khalid Al Wahaibi, Alain Bauwmans and Jakob Robinson are very closely matched for 3rd in the Championship while, fresh off a podium finish at the previous round, Amna Al Qubaisi will feel that she can also challenge for 3rd with a strong final showing.
Sem Knopjes is odds-on favourite to take the Mini MAX crown after consolidating his Championship lead with a maximum points haul at the penultimate round. However, he will have to look over his shoulder at the challenge from Liam Crystal, Shihab Al Habsi and Lachlan Robinson, who can all still lay claim to the title if results go their way.
In terms of Championship contenders, the Micro MAX category is the most competitive class of all with 6drivers mathematically still able to win it. At the top of the pile, Ziggy Kermanshahchi holds a very slender lead over Jamie Day and it is likely that the destiny of the title lies in the hands of one of these young racers.
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Theo Kekati is within touching distance but will have to finish well ahead of both of them if he is to overhaul their current points advantage.Khaled Saab, Alex Connor and Georgie Zouein are the only other drivers capable of challenging for the win although their realistic target will be to score enough points to pass Theos total for the 3rd and final podium place. Qualifying Heats take place throughout Friday 10th April while the all-important Finals are scheduled to run on Saturday 11th April with the Pre-Finals to be completed in the late morning and the Finals set to run between 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
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The Bambino Series is also a part of the weekends billed schedule as a support class. Drivers aged between 5 and 8 years of age will participate in a total of six 10-minute Time Trials over the two days in their 2hp machines with the objective of posting the fastest time of the weekend.
In addition to the major Championships, there is also a Challenge Trophy to be awarded for each class as well as the regular prizes for the race weekend itself. The Awards Ceremony will take place on Saturday at 1715hrs.
Entrance is free for spectators. All are welcome.
Preface:The UAE Rotax MAX Challenge is the official National Karting Championship of the UAE. Organised by Al Ain Raceway Kart Club, this 12 round series showcases the best racing drivers in the country in six race classes according to age and performance. Drivers aged 8-11yrs compete in the 7hp Micro MAX category while the Mini MAX class includes 11-13 year olds in 14hp machines. Junior MAX is the next age grade for drivers aged 12-15yrs using 21hp engines while senior drivers can choose between the 28hp MAX category or the premier, 32hp DD2 which incorporates a 2-speed paddle-shift gearbox and also offers a Masters category for drivers over 31 years.
