Advertisement

UAE Rotax MAX Challenge reaches final round at Al Ain Raceway

The final round of the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge 2014/15 will be held over two days, from Friday until Saturday at Al Ain Raceway.

- #Quiz360: WIN a group paintball session at Zayed Sports City
- Al Qubaisi set for another full season of endurance racing

With an extended format and double-points up for grabs, the championship will see all class titles decided over the two days.

In all but one category the titles 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 in Portugal this November.

The most hotly contested category is the premier DD2 class where reigning world champion Sean Babington holds a slender edge over reigning UAE champion Piers Pakenham-Walsh, with newly-crowned Oman champion Sanad Al Rawahi also in close contention.

Jonathan Mowatt has emerged as the overall frontrunner in the DD2 Masters category but his lead is still vulnerable with only a handful of points separating him from Maurits Knopjes, Andrew Fuller, Kevin Day and Tony Hogg.

Tom Bale has already fulfilled his quest to become UAE MAX champion. His blistering performances during the middle part of the season has seen to it that, mathematically, he cannot be caught.

Taymour Kermanshahchi has not been off the podium all season in Junior MAX, his form underlined by an incredible nine wins out of a possible 11.

But despite that formidable record, his title is still not 100 per cent guaranteed thanks to the consistently impressive performances of Fraser Rose who is second in the standings.

Khalid Al Wahaibi, Alain Bauwmans and Jakob Robinson are hoping to catch the duo come the weekend.

Sem Knopjes is odds-on favourite to take the Mini MAX crown after consolidating his lead with maximum points at the penultimate round.

Final destination: Al Ain Raceway.
Final destination: Al Ain Raceway.

However, he will have to keep Liam Crystal, Shihab Al Habsi and Lachlan Robinson at bay, as mathematically any one of the trio are in with a chance to seal the title.

The Micro MAX category is the most competitive class of all, with six drivers gunning for the title.

Ziggy Kermanshahchi holds a very slender lead over Jamie Day while Theo Kekati is within touching distance of the pair.

Khaled Saab, Alex Connor and Georgie Zouein are the other drivers capable of challenging for the crown.

The Bambino Series is also a part of the weekend’s billed schedule as a support class.

This series is designed specifically for drivers aged between 5-8 years, with the opportunity to rise in class later.

Qualifying heats take place throughout Friday while the PreFinals will be completed late on Saturday morning. The finals will be run between 13:30 and 16:30. The awards ceremony will take place soon after at 17:15.

Entrance is free for spectators. All are welcome.


Related Links