|
Quellete claims Rotax Max Challenge Title
The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, the biggest event on the world global calendar with 216 participants from 55 countries, came to an exciting finish with new champions crowned in three classes, at AlAin Sportplex.
Pier-Luc Quellette of France won the title in the DD2 (Masters) class in a thrilling 21-lap race in which he took an unassailable lead over this nearest rivals Morgan Riche of France and Makoto Kubo of Japan.
In the Senior class, there was even more thrilling action as Benji Russel of United Kingdom took a last-gasp lead over defending Rotax world champion Ricardo Romkema of Netherlands, who ended up as the runner-up while Mike Simpson of United Kingdom got the third place, 21 laps.
In the junior class, Kevin Korjus of Estonia was crowned new champion, after he outclassed Ryuya Fujie of Japan and Caleb Williams of South Africa, for second and third places in a 18-lap race.
The award presentation was attended by Shaikh Zayed bin Hazzar in a colourful ceremony, as 216 drivers from 55 countries cheered the winners. Also present on the occasion were Khaled bin Shaiban, Chairman of Pro Motor Sports and Mohammed Al Darmaki, General Manager of Al Ain Sportplex.
The brand-new circuit has been witnessing high-voltage action since November 26, and qualifying heats threw up many surprises.
UAE favourites, Shaikh Hasher Al Maktoum and Saeed Alshamsi and other team-mates were eliminated in the earlier rounds, despite strong performances in past karting championships. None of the participants from the Arab world make it to the pre-finals and finals.
The event was held under the patronage of Shaikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The AlAin Sportplex track, which been renovated to meet the standards of international karting, was given full marks by many participants, though this is the first tournament of this size hosted at the venue. Al Ain Raceway has been homologated by CIK-FIA and earned ‘B’ classification, higher than the ‘C’ classification needed for hosting such an event. It meets the highest safety standards, as per the ‘B’ homologation standards.
|
