UAE RMC ROUND 11 RACE REPORT
With the proud support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the UAE Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) returned for the 3rd year running to the iconic Yas Marina Circuit for Round 11 of the UAE’s National Karting Championship on Friday 20th March 2015.
This penultimate round of the series saw in excess of 90 drivers competing in the various age-classes in pursuit of the coveted Championship Titles. This marked a record attendance for an Abu-Dhabi based round of the National Championship and included an all-time National record 26 competitors in the Junior MAX category!
The fast, flowing layout – part of the Formula One circuit – once again provided an awesome spectacle and threw up some outstanding results for Emirati drivers just 3 weeks before the season finale in Al Ain.
Emirati sisters, Amna and Hamda Al Qubaisi, proved to be two of the most popular podium celebrants as they excelled in their respective classes in front of their adoring family and supporters.
12 year old Hamda enjoyed her best ever result with a spectacular 2nd place behind Championship leader, Sem Knopjes, in the Mini MAX category. This was all the more impressive as she was forced to start from the back of the field after failing to finish the Pre-Final. Lachlan Robinson completed the podium after a strong drive while title contender, Liam Crystal, suffered a blow as a technical failure caused him to retire from the race 2 laps before the finish.
Meanwhile, Amna Al Qubaisi was in the form of her life in the Junior MAX category alongside 26 others – the highest ever number of drivers in one field at National level here in UAE. Championship leader, Taymour Kermanshahchi, took the class win after leading from the start but was pushed hard all the way to the chequered flag by Lucas Petersson who secured the runner-up spot. Amna, who will celebrate her 15th birthday this week, crossed the line just 3 seconds further back and led home Abu Dhabi Racing team mate, Saeed Al Ali, who himself drove fantastically well to keep Championship 2nd place man, Fraser Rose, at bay.
In the MAX category, arguably the drive of the day came from Mohammed Al Mutawaa who put in a scintillating performance to finish 2nd by just 0.3s from Emanuele Pagani after starting 16th due to an incident in the Pre-Final.
With a few more laps the highly-rated Emirati may have even taken the race win but Pagani held firm to the end as Patrick Hannah completed the podium after passing Giulio Peroni on the final lap.
A mere 2 seconds separated these four. Abigail Birch saw to it that the ladies were again well represented by finishing an impressive 7th behind Alex Silanine and Shahin Dargahi.
The Micro MAX category was again the race of the day as the 8-10 years olds belied their tender years with mature performances across the board. The fight between the top 4 was fascinating as the lead changed hands far more frequently than the number of laps in the race. After a titanic and race-long battle Ziggy Kermanshahchi emerged from the last corner with a slight speed advantage over Jamie Day and managed to get his nose in front by the tightest of margins as they crossed the finish line. A scarcely believable 0.2s separated the top 4 karts across the line with Theo Kekati promoted to 3rd after Alex Connor was unfortunately penalised for a technical irregularity after the race which was not of his own making.
To round out some of the best and closest racing we have ever seen, the premier DD2 class saw Jon Lancaster successfully challenge World Champion, Sean Babington, for the lead of the race at the outset before defending strongly to allow the chasing pack to immediately have a go at the Championship leader. That clever race craft enabled him to build a small gap out front and he secured victory in impressive fashion. In two separate incidents Babington lost ground and had to drive out of his skin to recover to 4th place while Oman DD2 Champion, Sanad Al Rawahi, got the better of reigning UAE DD2 Champion, Piers Pakenham-Walsh, after the latter was docked 1 position for his part in a racing incident with Babington.
More incredible action was to follow in DD2 Masters as championship hopeful, Jonathan Mowatt, fortified his position with a well-deserved race win from the back of the field while Hamed Al Wahaibi somehow managed to hold off Patrick Jarjour, Kevin Day and Hussain Umid Ali as 2nd to 5th places were covered by less than 1 second!
With all class championships still to be decided, the all-important season finale takes place at Al Ain Raceway on 10th and 11th April 2015.
Preface:The UAE Rotax MAX Challenge is the official National Karting Championship of the UAE. Organised by Al Ain Raceway Kart Club, this 12 round series showcases the best racing drivers in the country in five race classes according to age and performance. Drivers aged 8-11yrs compete in the 7hp Micro MAX category while the Mini MAX class includes 11-13 year olds in 14hp machines. Junior MAX is the next age grade for drivers aged 12-15yrs using 21hp engines while senior drivers can choose between the 28hp MAX category or the premier, 32hp DD2 which incorporates a 2-speed paddle-shift gearbox.
