AARKC 2011-12 ROUND 8 PREVIEW

Round 8 of the 2011/12 AARKC Rotax MAX Challenge returns home to Al Ain Raceway once more on Friday 2nd March. Another bumper entry list confirms the sport’s popularity is growing as fast as the drivers can drive.

DD2 series leader Maurits Knopjes will be vying for another win after he was beaten in a fair fight last time by Mohammed Al Dhaheri. Al Dhaheri was fully lit at the previous round and will be hoping to carry his momentum into the Al Ain race. He said “After a few tough races it was great to be winning again. The kart felt good in Abu Dhabi and hopefully I can carry my form over.”

Senior MAX class leader Sanad Al Rawahi will be trying to get back to winning ways after being beaten by Edward Jones last time out. Piers Pakenham-Walsh continues to push closer to his maiden Senior MAX class win and will no doubt be aiming for a large points coup.

The MAX Master class will again run behind the DD2 class for round 8. Andrew Fuller is desperate for a turn of luck as his championship lead has been eroded quite heavily by Luc Bauwmans and Walid Al Qassemi in recent races.

In the Junior MAX category, Abdullah Al Rawahi will hope to score another win to help open the points gap to Cyrus Engineer. The Juniors have been remarkably close this year and the race could be anyone’s. Keep an eye on Pasqual Pook who is definitely the on-form driver right now.

By Marty Fullard