UAE RMC 2013-14 – FORMULA K PRESS RELEASE

27 Feb, 2014

At Al Ain Raceway we have been proud to attract more and more interest from overseas, particularly with regard to the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge.

In recent times we have seen a significant increase in interest from developed nations, both in terms of technical expertise and also top racing drivers, and this weekend at Yas Marina Circuit is no exception.

We were absolutely delighted to receive and accept an Entry from multiple World Champion and 2014 Formula K factory driver, Bas Lammers, racing with Nomad Racing at Round 10 of our National Championship.

Bas Lammers is one of the most well-known characters within kartingâ€™s global network. A hugely skilful driver with incredibly rich history, monumental reputation and a trophy cabinet almost worthy of his undoubted prowess, Bas is now an integral part of a massive project from chassis manufacturer and factory race team Formula K as they attempt to topple their main rivals in the karting fraternity.

The mastermind behind this project is one of the Formula K founders and he has one of most impressive rÃ©sumÃ©s in the business. Andrea Bertolini, Ferrari driver and four-time FIA GT World Champion, took over racing department operations for the team and, from the outset, had very clear ideas on how to structure things.

From his experience he listed 3 key areas which had to be covered in order to build a successful and competitive team:

1. Driver

2. Race Engineer

3. Mechanic

But these could not just be ordinary individuals.

A Race Engineer was already in evidence. Eddy “CASH” Van Belle has been an influential member of the Formula K Team for a number of years and enjoyed success as a Team Boss with other leading manufacturers prior to his affiliation with Formula K.

Bas was identified and selected on account of his impressive pedigree. Talks were swift as he was favourably impressed by the project and his previous Championship-winning association with Van Belle only served to hasten the process.

Mechanic-wise, many are world class, but the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge can boast the prolific presence of the Formula K chosen one over the past 2 seasons: Nomad Racingâ€™s own Luka Jurkovic.

Internationally recognised as being the top level of karting worldwide, the KZ (6 speed shifter) category of racing is the pinnacle of the sport for the major chassis manufacturers. The level of technology and expertise necessary for this racing class to operate and prosper, along with associated costs, means that the UAE and Middle East regions are unable to experience this level of motorsport first-hand at the moment.

However, the premier class here in UAE is an established proving-ground even for the sportâ€™s top competitors. The Rotax DD2 class offers a 2-speed paddle-shift transmission and has been staking its claim at the sharp-end of karting for some years now. More and more of the worldâ€™s top drivers are participating in National and International DD2 categories as the class gains momentum.

In November 2013 Bas stood out by his superb performances in both DD2 and KZ at the Las Vegas Super Nationals, the most prestigious annual karting event within USA. In attacking two of the most competitive classes in kart racing, Bas came away with the Runners-Up spot in both events â€“ remarkable when considering his contemporaries were focussed on one class.

We are privileged to welcome and host Bas, Cash and Luka as part of the Nomad Racing Team at this weekâ€™s Rotax MAX Challenge event at Yas Marina Circuit. With the European racing season getting under way and the intensive training necessary to cope with the demands of top-level karting, Nomad Racing are grateful for the cooperation of Formula K Head Quarters who have agreed for Bas to compete at this prestigious venue.

Nomad Racing Team Principal, Luigi Gariano, had this to say, â€œAs Nomad Racing we are really proud to have Bas with us as both a driver and mentor. His presence alone will motivate all Nomad Racing drivers and his wealth of experience will be invaluable to the team and the paddock as a whole. I am sure that it will also be a privilege for all DD2 drivers to compete with such a Champion. Bas himself is excited to join the UAE RMC at Yas Marina Circuit. It will be his first visit here in the UAE and he heard about the event from HQ so our Championship is growing in stature and popularity all the time.â€

â€œMore importantly for his fitness programme, he also likes pasta so heâ€™s in the right hands!â€ quipped the likeable Italian.

Al Ain Raceway acknowledges the efforts made by Nomad Racing and Formula K to support the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge series.

BAS LAMMERS TITLES

2003 EUROPEAN CHAMPION KF1 (STILL FORMULA A)

2009 WINNER OF THE SKUSA SUPER NATIONALS SUPER PRO CLASS

2009 EUROPEAN CHAMPION KZ1

2009 WSK CHAMPION KZ2

2010 WORLD CUP KZ1

2010 EUROPEAN CHAMPION KZ1

2011 WSK FINAL CUP KZ1

2012 WORLD CUP KZ1

BAS LAMMERS RACING PROGRAM 2014: