Doubling up in Al

N°127 - DECEMBER 2011 - 5.00 EURO (Italy only) www.vroom.it

CIK-FIA WORLD KF1 CHAMPIONSHIP - SUZUKA (J) INTERNATIONAL KARTING

ROTAX GRAND FINALS, AL AIN (UAE) Doubling Up in Al Ain UKYO SASAHARA, BEN COOPER, PIER-LUC OUELLETTE AND CRISTIANO MORGADO GRAB THEIR SECOND TITLE IN THE MOST ANTICIPATED SINGLE- MAKE SERIES EVENT OF THE SEASON.

Graham Triumphs CIK "U18" WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP Talking to ANTONIO KEKATI XPS - EIKO Technical side CARBURETION IN 60cc PHOTO B.KALIGIS

SPECIAL - CHASSIS HOMOLOGATION 2012/2018 PART 1 race ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011, AL AIN (UAE) 23-26th NOVEMBER 2011

Experienced driver Ben Cooper clinches the title in Senior Max. The fast Briton beat another supreme driver with an outstanding personal score, David Sera from Australia. Japan’s Sasaki ends 3rd.

30 Vroom international magazine DOUBLING UP IN AL AIN The 12th edition of the Rotax Grand Finals is currently taking place in Al Ain Raceway (UAE). A total of 265 drivers from more than 58 countries joined in to the most anticipated Rotax event of the season. Hoping that the final results remain pleasantly exceptional for the good of the competition, the track response says that all four winners already took the title in previous editions.

RepoRt s. muRtas / photos B.Kaligis, Rotax p.o.

xceptionally, Al Ain Raceway will go down in Rotax Grand Finals history as the venue that saw three former Rotax World champions making it double in Al Ain in the same class: Ukyo Sasahara in Junior (champion in 2009), Ben Cooper in Senior E(champion in 2008), and Pier-Luc Ouellette in DD2 (champion in 2007 on this very same track). Cristiano Morgado, 2003 MAX champion, took the title in DD2 Masters. Sure enough, this is by no means something ordinary, and yet it could be a hint of the fact that the new kids on the block are finding it hard to beat the ‘old guys’ in an event where experience seems of huge importance. Interesting to note also that two of the four champions took the title in the Rotax Euro Challenge this aL aIN raceway (Uae) season (namely Sasahara and Cooper). Before drawing the line, www.alainraceway.com let’s wait and see what happens in next year’s Grand Finals, but in the meantime a consideration must be made. Should there be a rule imposing former champions to participate in a different category? Suggestions are welcome... Before we go into the track response of the many sessions disputed over the week, we have to quickly fast-forward to the celebration party held on Saturday night, where the venue for Al Ain Raceway, P.O. BOX: 85393, Al Ain, UAE. the 2012 Rotax Grand Finals edition was announced. In 2012, Tel: +971 (0)3 768 6662 - Fax: +971 (0)3 768 8477 Lenght: 1,400 metres the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals will take place at the width: 8-12 metres Kartodromo Algarve in Portimao, Portugal, from November 27th Paddock and parking: big and fully serviced until December 1st.

Vroom international magazine 31 race ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

Despite being consistenly on top in DD2, Pier-Luc Ouellette (353) has to race his boots off in order to have the better of tough customers such as Jason Pringle (355) from Australia, fellow countryman Nicholas Latifi (340), Finland’s Jari Huttunen (332) and South African Marc Murray (350). Opposite page, Junior and DD2 Masters podium winners, and the final start of Senior class, with Ben Cooper (222) firmly in command, followed by David Sera (253) and Sean Babington (217). In the chasing group Tyler Greenbury (235) leads the pack.

32 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE The race

QUALIFYING PRACTICE The Qualifying practice held on Wednsday told that Japan’s Ukyo Sasahara stopped the fastest time (57”744) in Junior, with his fellow countryman Tadasuke Makino coming 0”003 short of pole. In Senior, Briton Sean Babington stopped a very fast 56”787 for pole, with 2008 World Senior champion Ben Cooper also from the UK hitting second fastest by 0”043. In the two gearbox classes, 2007 champion Pier-Luc Ouellette from Canada pulled off a very fast 55”562 for DD2 pole – with the fi ve fastest drivers all within one tenth – and South African Cristiano Morgado stopped the time at 56”222 in DD2 Masters. ROTAX SENIOR PREFINAL ROTAX SENIOR FINAL PN Driver NAT LAPS PN Driver NAT LAPS 1 222 Cooper, Ben United Kingdom 14 in 13:19.444 1 222 Cooper, Ben United Kingdom 21 in 20:03.784 2 253 Sera, David Australia + 0.489 2 253 Sera, David Australia + 0.948 QUALIFYING HEATS 3 217 Babington, Sean United Kingdom + 3.153 3 262 Sasaki, Hirotaka Japan + 5.627 4 219 Brand, Edward United Kingdom + 3.191 4 229 Finkelstein, Alexandre France + 6.511 On Thursday and Friday the racing was 5 262 Sasaki, Hirotaka Japan + 3.351 5 255 Nekeel, Stepanova United States + 6.819 tough, with lots of exciting battles on track 6 235 Greenbury, Tyler Australia + 3.727 6 281 De Maio, Josh Australia + 7.079 7 230 Forman, Jiri Czech Republic + 4.056 7 230 Forman, Jiri Czech Republic + 7.535 for the qualifying heats. In Junior, Makino 8 255 Nekeel, Stepanova United States + 4.566 8 225 Dileo, Marco Canada + 9.956 9 260 Riener, Stefan Austria + 5.996 9 269 Talvar, Aavo Estonia +10.091 with two wins and a 2nd place was sided 10 229 Finkelstein, Alexandre France + 6.743 10 241 King, Andy United Kingdom +10.301 11 223 Correia, Joao Portugal + 6.802 11 274 Zenkin, Alexander Russia +10.455 by fellow Japan driver Sasahara on the 12 280 Dabski, Karol Poland + 8.742 12 239 Jurkovic, Matija Slovenia +12.544 13 281 De Maio, Josh Australia + 9.039 13 243 Komnos, Nikolaos Greece +12.676 front row, the latter with two wins and a 3rd. 14 243 Komnos, Nikolaos Greece +11.031 14 280 Dabski, Karol Poland +13.590 15 272 Van Den Brand, Mats Netherlands +11.112 15 223 Correia, Joao Portugal +13.652 Mawson from Australia (one win) and Morin 16 274 Zenkin, Alexander Russia +11.276 16 240 Kancsar, Ferenc Hungary +13.737 17 264 Sirvio, Jan-Mikael Finland +12.055 17 263 Sekioka, Toshiki Japan +16.064 from Sweden (once 3rd as best result) were 18 268 Szigeti, Steven Canada +12.761 18 260 Riener, Stefan Austria +16.273 sitting on row 2. Big disappointment for 19 232 Frost, Ryan South Africa +13.832 19 271 Van Beurden, Chad South Africa +16.403 20 239 Jurkovic, Matija Slovenia +17.066 20 257 Pagliarani, Claudio Italy +16.625 British driver Barlow, who despite a 2nd and 21 256 Orueta, Maximiliano Chile +17.415 21 258 Picot, Nicolas France +16.997 22 258 Picot, Nicolas France +17.549 22 277 Claes, Nicolas Belgium +17.860 a 3rd had to start from 8th after fi nishing 17th 23 240 Kancsar, Ferenc Hungary +17.656 23 264 Sirvio, Jan-Mikael Finland +21.518 24 269 Talvar, Aavo Estonia +17.713 24 268 Szigeti, Steven Canada +21.698 in heat 1. Another potential protagonist was 25 263 Sekioka, Toshiki Japan +17.734 25 232 Frost, Ryan South Africa +22.844 26 226 Faria, Jose Pedro Portugal +17.776 26 235 Greenbury, Tyler Australia +26.002 Australia’s Pierce Lehane, who took a 4th 27 247 Lindgren, Linus Sweden +19.425 27 272 Van Den Brand, Mats Netherlands -5 R 28 257 Pagliarani, Claudio Italy +23.217 28 217 Babington, Sean United Kingdom -11 R and 2nd ruined by a dead last place in the 29 231 Friedrich, Christopher Germany -2 L 29 266 Spaulding, Kiel United States -14 R 30 266 Spaulding, Kiel United States -5 L 30 226 Faria, Jose Pedro Portugal -14 R conclusive heat to start 20th on prefi nal grid. 31 241 King, Andy United Kingdom -9 L 31 247 Lindgren, Linus Sweden -19 R In Senior, 3 British drivers in the fi rst 32 225 Dileo, Marco Canada -13 L 32 256 Orueta, Maximiliano Chile -20 R 33 271 Van Beurden, Chad South Africa -13 L 33 231 Friedrich, Christopher Germany ----- 6 positions, with Cooper (two wins and a 34 277 Claes, Nicolas Belgium -13 L 34 219 Brand, Edward United Kingdom -----

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 33 race ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

PARTYING, The Tyre Changing Competition during the Welcome party. Not only tough racing action to keep drivers and mechanics busy, also some WHILE YOU ARE AT IT... chilling-out sessions at the three parties organized Not only track time for the 265 drivers and their family and friends who stayed in Al Ain. A total of three parties 2nd place) and Babington (two wins and shared row 2, all with one heat win. Row 3 have been thrown to make everyone a 5th place) taking advantage of front row. was fi lled by Finland’s Huttunen and Belgian feel the Rotax spirit. On Sunday prior Australia’s David Sera (two 2nd and a 3rd Mathias Detige. Final win hopefuls also to the event, the Welcome Party with place) sided by Andy King (one 2nd as best included Nicholas Latifi and Xen de Ruwe food and drinks, made even more result) on row 2, and Sasaki from Japan both with one win, yet starting 9th and 17th exciting by the classic Tyre Changing sharing row 3 with Britain’s Ed Brand. respectively due to one bad heat result. contest where the mechanics had to Bad luck for Poland’s Karol Dabski who is In DD2 Masters, Morgado carried on show all their skills in mounting a set forced to start 10th as a result of a 22nd his superb weekend by taking the win in all of tyres on the AMV Tiger rims in the place in heat 2 after a win and a 2nd place. of his heats, to share the front row with 2010 fastest time. On Wednesday, after Just like Austria’s Stefan Riener, 13th on class champion Scott Campbell (one win of cial Qualifying, the Mid Week BBQ prefi nal grid (26-2-1). and a 2nd place). Danny Brand from Belgium organized on the circuit, and the Grand In DD2, after grabbing the pole in and Dennis Kroes from Holland sit on row 2. Finals Drivers party, where the 2012 qualifying, Pier-Luc Ouellette sit on front row France’s Guillaume Berteaux also took one location of the Rotax Grand Finals next to Finland’s Laiho on level points, while win and shared row 3 with Denmark’s Peter was also announced, which ended the Pringle (Australia) and Murray (South Africa) Lundstroem. event in style.

ROTAX DD2 PREFINAL ROTAX DD2 FINAL

PNDriver NAT LAPS PNDriver NAT LAPS 1 353 Ouellette, Pier-Luc Canada 14 in 13:05.514 1 353 Ouellette, Pier-Luc Canada 21 in 19:40.252 2 340 Latiﬁ , Nicholas Canada + 1.169 2 355 Pringle, Jason Australia + 0.066 3 355 Pringle, Jason Australia + 1.742 3 363 Vann, Georg Estonia + 0.320 4 332 Huttunen, Jari Finland + 2.387 4 375 Ward, Damian Australia + 1.332 5 333 Jensen, Andreas Denmark + 2.763 5 350 Murray, Marc South Africa + 1.332 6 314 Brittz, Eugene South Africa + 2.967 6 330 Herder, Kyle Canada + 1.354 7 331 Hildebrand, Kenneth Estonia + 3.123 7 340 Latiﬁ , Nicholas Canada + 1.566 8 313 Boisclair, Christophe Canada + 3.430 8 321 Detige, Mathias Belgium + 4.826 9 363 Vann, Georg Estonia + 4.622 9 312 Bakker, Roy Netherlands + 4.991 10 350 Murray, Marc South Africa + 5.141 10 320 De Ruwe, Xen Belgium + 6.581 11 320 De Ruwe, Xen Belgium + 5.327 11 331 Hildebrand, Kenneth Estonia + 7.222 12 360 Szymkowiak, Jules Belgium + 5.836 12 341 Leitao, Eduardo Portugal + 7.964 13 375 Ward, Damian Australia + 5.905 13 313 Boisclair, Christophe Canada + 8.047 14 362 Toth, Peter Hungary + 7.420 14 360 Szymkowiak, Jules Belgium + 8.193 15 324 Fleischmann, Maximilian Germany + 7.847 15 334 Juodvirsis, Simas Lithuania + 8.453 16 330 Herder, Kyle Canada + 8.100 16 365 Wagner, Simon Austria + 8.949 17 338 Laiho, Miika Finland + 9.016 17 374 Nelson, Brendan Australia + 9.132 18 334 Juodvirsis, Simas Lithuania + 9.386 18 362 Toth, Peter Hungary + 9.253 19 348 Mc Ewan, Tyler Canada + 10.295 19 368 Young, Ian South Africa + 9.515 20 367 White, Darren Canada + 10.373 20 335 Kitazono, Shota Japan + 9.702 21 312 Bakker, Roy Netherlands + 10.443 21 332 Huttunen, Jari Finland + 10.168 22 337 Kolarov, Vasil Bulgaria + 11.171 22 359 Steinerts, Martins Latvia + 10.331 23 373 Raymakers, Christophe Belgium + 12.616 23 339 Lapins, Martins Latvia + 10.420 24 339 Lapins, Martins Latvia + 13.295 24 352 Orrock, Lucas United Kingdom + 11.063 25 328 Gravouille, Maxime France + 14.841 25 348 Mc Ewan, Tyler Canada + 11.779 26 321 Detige, Mathias Belgium + 15.336 26 338 Laiho, Miika Finland + 19.637 27 359 Steinerts, Martins Latvia + 16.582 27 314 Brittz, Eugene South Africa + 19.812 28 374 Nelson, Brendan Australia + 19.519 28 367 White, Darren Canada + 20.622 29 341 Leitao, Eduardo Portugal + 22.663 29 373 Raymakers, Christophe Belgium + 20.834 30 352 Orrock, Lucas United Kingdom + 44.056 30 324 Fleischmann, Maximilian Germany -12 R 31 368 Young, Ian South Africa -3 R 31 337 Kolarov, Vasil Bulgaria -20 R 32 335 Kitazono, Shota Japan -6 R 32 333 Jensen, Andreas Denmark ----- 33 365 Wagner, Simon Austria -11 R 33 322 Dragan, Tomi Romania ----- 34 322 Dragan, Tomi Romania -11 R

34 VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE Ben Cooper literally flies away with his second Rotax Grand Finals title in Senior Max, after grabbing the Euro Challenge championship earlier in the season. Opposite page, Australia celebrates the Nation’s Cup title

ALWAYS CONNECTED The event has been a great success not only for those present at the outstanding facility of Al Ain, but also for those following the real time updates from the other side of the world. The BRP team exceeded expectations by having a Live Timing page, a Race TV website and a Facebook page completely dedicated to the event, constantly updated. The Live Timing page has been an essential tool also for the many reporters and journalists present on site. The Race TV website hosted a total of 38 videos, including interviews and on-track action, for the amusement of all. Also the Facebook page was a huge hit, with over 7,000 fans, and almost 800 pictures uploaded, regularly garnished by funny comments.

VROOM INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE 35 race ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

36 Vroom international magazine In 2012, the Rotax Max Challenge gRand FInals wIll take plaCe at the kaRtodRoMo algaRve In poRtIMao, poRtugal, FRoM noveMbeR 27th untIl deCeMbeR 1st.

ROTAX juniOR PREFINAL ROTAX juniOR FINAL

PN Driver Nat LaPs PN Driver Nat LaPs 1 151 Makino, Tadasuke Japan 11 in 10:44.544 1 164 Sasahara, Ukyo Japan 18 in 17:32.547 2 180 Mawson, Joseph Australia + 0.021 2 180 Mawson, Joseph Australia + 2.567 3 164 Sasahara, Ukyo Japan + 0.179 3 167 Singleton, James United Kingdom + 6.465 4 134 Hare, Aston South Africa + 0.201 4 175 Van Moorsel, Jordi Netherlands + 6.913 5 129 Esmeijer, Janneau Netherlands + 1.062 5 131 Fukuzumi, Nirei Japan + 7.124 6 148 Lehane, Pierce Australia + 3.127 6 136 Harrison, Nathan United Kingdom + 7.317 7 175 Van Moorsel, Jordi Netherlands + 3.286 7 145 Kooijman, Finn S.C. Netherlands + 7.417 8 157 Müller, Nico Germany + 3.656 8 168 Specken, Guust Netherlands + 7.614 9 136 Harrison, Nathan United Kingdom + 4.005 9 144 Kivi, Kairo Estonia + 7.752 10 170 Swärd, William Sweden + 4.756 10 156 Morin, Philip Sweden + 8.187 11 133 Guenette, Alex Canada + 5.079 11 119 Bedard, Olivier Canada +10.368 12 121 Borlido, Bruno Portugal + 5.106 12 133 Guenette, Alex Canada +10.746 13 167 Singleton, James United Kingdom + 5.636 13 170 Swärd, William Sweden +11.440 14 123 Cormack, Darragh Ireland + 5.722 14 123 Cormack, Darragh Ireland +11.501 15 156 Morin, Philip Sweden + 7.598 15 148 Lehane, Pierce Australia +11.676 16 146 Korolev, Artem Canada + 8.096 16 141 Itkonen, Wille Finland +14.580 17 169 Stewart, Michael Australia + 9.306 17 147 Lazare, Jesse Canada +15.093 18 125 Craig, Jake United States + 9.362 18 146 Korolev, Artem Canada +17.711 19 171 Tanaka, Teruhisa Japan + 9.722 19 171 Tanaka, Teruhisa Japan +17.802 20 144 Kivi, Kairo Estonia + 9.805 20 157 Müller, Nico Germany +18.758 21 168 Specken, Guust Netherlands + 12.941 21 115 Ang, Gilbert Malaysia +21.709 22 115 Ang, Gilbert Malaysia + 13.806 22 124 Cozzaglio, Francesca Ecuador +23.164 23 119 Bedard, Olivier Canada + 14.088 23 125 Craig, Jake United States +24.634 24 176 Wautier, Khan Thailand + 14.162 24 169 Stewart, Michael Australia +27.960 25 135 Harker, Reid New Zealand + 14.403 25 161 Polakovich, Mateo Argentina +30.581 26 131 Fukuzumi, Nirei Japan + 14.857 26 118 Barlow, Jack United Kingdom +44.193 27 145 Kooijman, Finn S.C. Netherlands + 17.015 27 135 Harker, Reid New Zealand +49.841 28 124 Cozzaglio, Francesca Ecuador + 21.311 28 176 Wautier, Khan Thailand -9 R 29 140 Iatcenko, Andrey Russia + 33.983 29 151 Makino, Tadasuke Japan ----- 30 141 Itkonen, Wille Finland + 45.562 30 134 Hare, Aston South Africa ----- 31 161 Polakovich, Mateo Argentina -7 L 31 121 Borlido, Bruno Portugal ----- 32 147 Lazare, Jesse Canada -10 L 32 140 Iatcenko, Andrey Russia ----- 33 118 Barlow, Jack United Kingdom ----- 33 159 Pastorok, Patrik Slovakia ----- 34 159 Pastorok, Patrik Slovakia ----- 34 129 Esmeijer, Janneau Netherlands -----

Vroom international magazine 37 race ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

Right, Jack Barlow (118) from the UK has a disappointing weekend in Junior. After doing well in 2 of his 3 heats, the young Brit is out right after the prefinal start. Opposite page, DD2 Masters field with Morgado (437) leading the field, with Lundstrom (433) and Kroes (428) on his rear bumper. Final runner-up Brand (415) is there too. RGMMC – ROTAX: THE FEAST GOES ON Al Ain Raceway played host not only to the most anticipated Rotax event of the season. It was also the stage of one of the most important business meetings for the future of the most successful Rotax series in the European continent, the Rotax

ROTAX DD2-MASTERS PREFINAL

PN Driver NAT LAPS 1 437 Morgado, Cristiano South Africa 14 in 13:10.005 2 415 Brand, Danny Belgium + 1.366 3 428 Kroes, Dennis Netherlands + 2.037 4 416 Campbell, Scott Canada + 3.133 5 433 Lundstroem, Peter Denmark + 3.283 6 423 Hargitai, Gerry Hungary + 6.132 7 442 Pansart, Guy France + 6.182 8 430 Lambert, Florent United Kingdom + 8.216 9 438 Mukhin, Igor Russia + 9.260 10 412 Berteaux, Guillaume France + 10.180 11 450 Victorsson, Martin Sweden + 10.240 12 419 Davis, Colin United Kingdom + 10.412 13 424 Ivichek, David Canada + 10.512 14 418 Coghlan, Brent Australia + 10.807 15 422 Guerrero, Santiago Colombia + 10.944 16 427 Knopjes, Maurits UAE + 13.159 17 414 Bouf, Arnaud UAE + 13.355 18 429 Kyotake, Kengo Japan + 13.668 19 456 Perez-Santander, Jesus Spain + 14.071 20 457 Felix, Pedro Portugal + 15.655 21 445 Rodriguez, Johannes Venezuela + 15.779 Max Euro Challenge. RGMMC owner Roland 22 436 Matsuya, Takao Japan + 15.961 Geidel, the charismatic organizer of the top 23 447 Salerno, Juan Pablo Argentina + 16.308 24 410 Adams, Christophe Belgium + 18.693 Rotax European series, met with BRP-Powertrain 25 425 Jackson, Eric United States + 20.553 26 420 Dimitriou, Nicos Cyprus + 28.584 Manager Christian Mundigler and stroke an 27 417 Clark, Stuart Canada + 30.956 28 434 Martinelli, Rene United States + 32.124 exclusive deal that will make sure the RGMMC – 29 435 Matis, Andreas Germany -7 R Rotax partnership will continue to produce one of 30 449 Van Wyk, John South Africa -11 R PREFINAL AND FINAL 31 439 Nurkkala, Tero Finland ----- the most exciting karting series until 2016. 32 452 Currie, Steven New Zealand ----- After two very busy days of practice and 33 446 Rouxel, Franck France ----- 34 421 Gosevits, Stoyan Greece ----- “I want to thank BRP-Powertrain for renewing their qualifying heats, Saturday was the day of prefi nals and fi nals. ROTAX DD2-MASTERS FINAL trust in our organization – Roland Geidel says. The PN Driver NAT LAPS Rotax Euro Challenge has come a long way since In Junior, Sasahara stayed out of trouble 1 437 Morgado, Cristiano South Africa 21 in 19:51.556 2 415 Brand, Danny Belgium + 4.774 its inception in 2004, and yet the philosophy has in the prefi nal fi nishing 3rd behind Mawson 3 412 Berteaux, Guillaume France + 9.054 4 423 Hargitai, Gerry Hungary + 9.089 remained intact. Bringing new drivers in the sport from Australia and his Japanese teammate 5 418 Coghlan, Brent Australia + 9.129 Makino. Lehane made a huge leap forward 6 410 Adams, Christophe Belgium + 9.709 of karting through our series, which ensures fair 7 427 Knopjes, Maurits UAE + 10.039 and exciting competition open to all, will continue closing in 6th, Barlow was out right after the 8 419 Davis, Colin United Kingdom + 10.262 9 417 Clark, Stuart Canada + 10.625 to be RGMMC and Rotax common goal.” start, and Morin dropped to 15th. Singleton 10 430 Lambert, Florent United Kingdom + 12.044 11 425 Jackson, Eric United States + 12.942 was another to drop positions (from 9th to 12 442 Pansart, Guy France + 13.116 13 447 Salerno, Juan Pablo Argentina + 14.465 “BRP-Powertrain is very happy to renew 13th) whereas 2010 Junior champion Jordi 14 436 Matsuya, Takao Japan + 15.721 the contract with RGMMC for the exclusive 15 438 Mukhin, Igor Russia + 17.029 Van Moorsel came back from 21st (despite 16 424 Ivichek, David Canada + 17.092 organization of the Rotax MAX Euro Challenge 17 422 Guerrero, Santiago Colombia + 17.790 two good heats) to fi nish 7th.The fi nal instead 18 449 Van Wyk, John South Africa + 18.002 untill 2016 – states Christian Mundigler. It’s one saw Ukyo storming through the fi eld to build 19 450 Victorsson, Martin Sweden + 18.338 of our most successful relationships to date in the 20 446 Rouxel, Franck France + 18.785 a 2”5 lead over Mawson, with Britain’s James 21 445 Rodriguez, Johannes Venezuela + 19.323 promotion of our concept, which stands for fair 22 439 Nurkkala, Tero Finland + 20.241 Singleton 3rd as Makino was forced to retire 23 420 Dimitriou, Nicos Cyprus + 21.407 and safe competition with good sportmanship. The 24 452 Currie, Steven New Zealand + 33.057 early on due to a contact while in the lead. Van 25 434 Martinelli, Rene United States + 34.738 cooperation with RGMMC will be further extended 26 414 Bouf, Arnaud UAE + 40.301 Moorsel managed to gain 3 positions by the by introducing new projects for more Rotax racing 27 433 Lundstroem, Peter Denmark -1 R end, with Fukuzumi rounding up the top fi ve. 28 421 Gosevits, Stoyan Greece -12 R activities in order to attract more Hobby and 29 428 Kroes, Dennis Netherlands ----- In , not much changed compared 30 416 Campbell, Scott Canada ----- Amateur Racers and to show to the public how Senior 31 456 Perez-Santander, Jesus Spain ----- to the heats, as Ben Cooper left nothing 32 457 Felix, Pedro Portugal ----- COOL Karting is.” 33 435 Matis, Andreas Germany ----- behind. He dominated the prefi nal over Sera 34 429 Kyotake, Kengo Japan -----

38 Vroom international magazine In the fInal, Morgado was even More doMInatIng, takIng a 4”8 wIn over Brand, as kroes and CaMpBell took eaCh other out at the start.

Vroom international magazine 39 race ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS 2011

Above, Japan’s Tadasuke Makino (151) is off pole position in both Junior prefinal and final, but a contact will force him out of the race in the early stages. Final runner-up Joseph Mawson (180) takes the outside line ahead of Australia’s Pierce Lehane (148), while Estonian Esmeijer (129) can’t take advantage of his 5th position in the prefinal as he will not end the final race. Below, Damien Ward (375) leads Georg Vann (363)

BIg raCIng aCtIon In dd2, as pIer-luC ouellette, alreadY Class ChaMpIon In 2007 agaIn In al aIn, Bested the CoMpetItIon In stYle.

and Babington, with Brand fi nishing 4th, again in Al Ain, bested the competition inherited 3rd. just ahead of Sasaki. Riener came back up in style. In prefi nal he had the better of In DD2 Masters, Cristiano Morgado strong to fi nish 9th, while King was forced to Latifi , Pringle, Huttunen and Jensen in that was surely above everyone else on the retire on lap 6. In the fi nal Cooper repeated order, with De Ruwe coming up strong weekend, infl icting bad punishment on the himself and took a straightforward win over to fi nish 11th. The fi nal was somewhat competition. In the prefi nal, the South African Sera by almost 1”, the latter forced to fi ght more controversial in the later stages, with took an easy 1”4 win over experienced it out with Babington and fellow Aussie Huttunen 3rd at the fi nish line being infl icted Belgian driver Danny Brand, with Kroes Greenbury in the early stages. Finkelstein and a 10” penalty for having pushed Latifi out (fastest lap of the race) and 2010 winner Riener came into play, the latter dropping while fi ghting for the podium. But the fi ghting Scott Campbell following behind. In the at the back while fi ghting for honours, and was tough, with several changes at the lead. fi nal, Morgado was even more dominating, Sasaki took advantage of it to grab the Pringle was the man on top at half race taking a 4”8 win over Brand, as Kroes and last podium place. Sekioka and Riener distance, but the shuffl ing continued till the Campbell took each other out at the start. completed the top fi ve, but received 10” very last lap, when the Australian gave it all The fi ght for 2nd saw also Lundstrom and penalty which dropped down the order. to fi nish 0”066 off the title, with Huttunen Hargitai taking part, but they were both taken Big racing action in DD2, as Pier-Luc following 1 tenth down. Following the Finn at the last lap by Berteaux who completed Ouellette, already class champion in 2007 being demoted, Georg Vann from Estonia the podium.

40 Vroom international magazine