12 February 2015
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UAE ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE RETURNS TO DUBAI KARTDROME
FOR ACTION-PACKED DOUBLE-HEADER WEEKEND!
Rounds 9 and 10 of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) will be taking place on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th February at the popular Dubai Kartdrome. This "Double-Header' weekend - the final one of the season at the Kartdrome Outdoor - is almost fully subscribed in a number of classes and the whole motorsport community is eagerly looking forward to what the organising partners have in store.
The biggest cause for hype this weekend is the 'confirmed rumour' that, for the first time ever on a National Championship day, Dubai Kartdrome are implementing an alternative circuit configuration for Round 10 on Saturday. This has caused quite a stir throughout the paddock but organisers and officials are keeping tight-lipped. "Wait and see" is the tantalising response to any enquiry. The drivers can't wait and neither can we!
The various class championship are still wide open although there are some clear title contenders emerging as the business end of the season fast approaches.
It is no surprise that reigning World Champion, Sean Babinton, is leading the way in the DD2 class but he has not had it all his own way recently and local hero, Piers Pakenham-Walsh, and Oman National Champion, Sanad Al Rawahi, will be looking to make things as uncomfortable as possible for the title favourite . In the DD2 Masters category (31yrs +) Maurits Knopjes has a commanding lead but Kevin Day and Jonathan Mowatt will be looking to reduce that gap on their home circuit.
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 Abdullah Al Rawahi as well as high-flying Patrick Hannah whose confidence is sky-high after winning the prestigious O-Plate event at the same venue just two weeks earlier.
Taymour Kermanshahchi will continue to defend his championship lead in the Junior MAX class from his closest contenders, Fraser Rose and Alain Bauwmans, as well as a host of other talented racers. Now consistently the busiest field with up to twenty-five drivers, the Junior MAX category is arguably the most enthralling for the spectators. It is certainly the most action-packed!
Mini MAX O-Plate winner, Liam Crystal, and runner-up, Shihab Al Habsi,will hope to exert pressure on championship leader, Sem Knopjes, in Mini MAX while staying ahead of the rest of the field. Such is the competition in this category that any one of eight drivers has realistic chance of taking victory.
Jamie Day and Ziggy Kermanshahchi will renew their rivalry at the head of the Micro MAX standings. Theo Kekati, currently in third-place, has them in his sights and will be eager to get on the poduim while Micro MAX O-Plate winner, Mohammed Al Habsi, and the fast-charging Khaled Ray Saab are a couple more names genuinely vying for top spot this weekend.
Both race days follow a similar format with administrative and safety checks carried out before practice and qualifying sessions in the morning. Racing starts at around 11:30am on each day with the Finals set to run between 2pm and 5pm.
Entrance is free for spectators. All are welcome.
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 five 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.
