Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2012
Yesterday’s first round of racing heats at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Portugal brought mixed fortunes for Team UAE.
Abdullah Al Rawahi showed promising pace as he charged from 26th place up to 17th. Things were going well until he was hit from behind and slipped to 17th. In his second race again he was quick running as high as 12th in the early stages. Luck would be against once more as he was given an almighty smash in the infield. Down in 32nd place he recovered to finish 24th.
Maurits Knopjes made a lightening start in his first race. After having to start 23rd he scythed through the pack to finish 12th. It was a similar effort in race 2 until he was hit off and demoted to 19th place.
Mohammed Al Dhaheri again displayed a superbly consistent performance starting and finishing 24th in race 1 before crossing the line in 20th in race 2. Oliver George stayed out of trouble in both races. After starting from last place he made ground to finish 27th and 27th.
Sanad Al Rawahi lit up the DD2 field after driving out of skin in both races. In race 1 he started dead last in 36th place but trounced the opposition to finish 22nd. In race 2 he did it again, cutting through the field. He was up to 23rd place and looking good to advance further but was savagely wiped out by a driver from Team USA.
Friday will see the final qualifying heats and last chance race.
Martin Fullard
Oliver George
