UAE Rotax MAX Challenge round 4 preview
The UAE Rotax MAX Challenge returns to Al Ain Raceway for the fourth round of the 2012/13 season on Friday 14th December. With the championships in each class starting to take shape the main contenders are becoming more obvious.
In the DD2 class, three of the 5-man team who have just returned from the Grand Finals in Portugal will be fighting it out wheel to wheel once more. Oman Karting Team’s Sanad Al Rawahi currently leads the class on 286 points from local hero Mohammed Al Dhaheri who has 245 points and Oliver George in third on 238. The three have dominated the class this year and have been difficult to separate, no change is expected for round 4. Watch out for Arnaud Bouf however, the Frenchman has never been far away from the leading scrap and will be waiting to pick up the pieces of any potential tussle.
The 125 MAX class has seen its most competitive start to a season in its 6 year history. Ameer Hassan has scored 2 wins but because he does not hold a UAE license is not eligible to score points. As such, Monegasque racer Alexandre Silanine leads the class on 248 points from Piers Pakenham-Walsh who is 34 points behind. Kevin Day and round 3 winner, Philippe Valenza, are both tied in third on 195 points. The competition has been intense with only a hairs breadth between victory and disappointment. Early season favourite Abdullah Al Rawahi has had his share of bad luck this season and will be looking to make up ground and move up the championship standings. The competition will certainly not make it easy for him.
Pasqual Pook will be looking to continue his dominance in the 125 Junior MAX class. Pook is undefeated in the last two races at Al Ain Raceway. Guilio Peroni and Taymour Kermanshahchi will both be looking to put Pook under pressure and force him into a mistake in an attempt to blow the championship fight wide open.
The Mini MAX class is again expected to be another 4-way fight between the usual protagonists: Zachary Robertson, Tehmur Chohan, Ivan Berets and Alain Bauwmans. The four young chargers have been nigh on inseparable throughout the first 3 races and the trend is expected to continue. Sem Knopjes still has a stranglehold on the Micro MAX class but this time will be looking over his shoulder as both Sachio Kekati and Yusuf Moola have been getting closer to his pace.
In the Honda Challenge, seasoned Touring Car racer Sam Zian will be looking to maintain his winning momentum by holding off the pack once more. Zian was narrowly beaten by Piers Pakenham-Walsh in the last round but still has the championship lead on 192 points.
The Bambino karts will also be running for the third time this year with the number of drivers now up to 9. The UAE’s newest class is for drivers aged 5-10 years old and runs in a Time Trial format.
Racing is expected to commence after Friday prayers and a full schedule for the day can be found at www.alainraceway.com/kartclub
Martin Fullard
Philippe Valenza will be looking to make big gains
