Team UAE Rotax MAX Grand Finalists shine on return to home soil

21 November 2019

Team UAE Rotax MAX Grand Finalists shine on return to home soil

(Al Ain, 20 November 2019) Now that the dust has settled on an action-packed Round 3 of the 2019 UAE Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) - run under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council - it is worth reflecting that the drivers who took part in the Grand Finals in Naples last month performed at the highest level and hogged the big trophies at the end of the day at Al Ain Raceway on Saturday, 16 November.

A 'ticket' to the Grand Finals is the annual reward for champions of the RMC around the globe, the best of the best in Rotax karting - Micro MAX, Mini MAX, Junior MAX, MAX, DD2 and DD2 Masters - gather for an intense week to decide the World Titles.

While no Team UAE driver bagged the big prize this time around in Naples, Dubai schoolboy Lachlan Robinson finished fifth and might have been higher up the order, even the top step of the podium, had fate not had other plans. Nevertheless, he proved to be among the fastest of all the drivers in action during the week of the finals.

He shone with his smart driving, canny racecraft and impressive pace. Fast forward a month, and on home soil, Robinson was the obvious man to beat but wasn't beaten as he delivered another immaculate performance to take top honours in the MAX class on Saturday.

But it was no walk in the park, as he was made to work extra hard by Theo Kekati and Khaled Saab in what was an enthralling race in which Robinson delivered a masterclass of defensive driving.

The victory puts Robinson top of the standings on 272 points with Kekati seven points adrift and Saab, who bounced back from a difficult Grand Finals appearance, in third a further six points down. This has all the hallmarks of a season-long dogfight between the trio.

Kyle Kumaran was a revelation in Naples when he took part in his first RMC Grand Finals, upping his game with every session. He brought his form with him to the UAE and was simply unbeatable in the DD2 shifter class.

Worth noting is ever-improving DD2 rookie Nadim Khneisser who graduatedfrom Junior MAX at the earliest opportunity with the bold decision starting to pay off as he enjoyed his biggest points haul since joining the class, finishing 3^rd overall.

Kumaran leads the DD2 championship with 280 points, 27 more than Constantin Reisch in second.

Veteran Tony Hogg was equally dominant in the DD2 Masters, run in conjunction with the DD2s, and tops the standings on 250 points with Dario Rubio 32 off top spot in the standings.

By his own high standards, Georgie Zouein expected more from his Grand Finals adventure, but he put any disappointment behind him by winning a thrilling Junior MAX final which helped him extend his championship lead.

On the day Kamal Agha, Anshul Gandhi, Alex Renner and Kayne Cherien were victory candidates but in the end had to play second fiddle to Zouein at his best.

While the championship leader has a healthy points lead after three rounds, behind him the battle for second is intense with 12 points covering the next three.

At the Grand Finals a month ago, Mini MAX Champion Harry Hannam had top-five pace in all the sessions he entered, but in the hurly-burly of a super competitive class he did not deliver on his known capabilities.

But returning home he once again showed why he qualified to be with the Rotax elite in Naples as he powered to an emphatic victory last weekend in Al Ain where none of his rivals had an answer.

On 253 points, Hannam leads the standings after three rounds with Bertie Gibbons on 230 and Krishna Shankar on 222.

Although Benjamin Wade did not get a ticket for the Micro MAX 2019 Grand Finals, he signalled his intent to be there next year with an impressive win in the class featuring the youngest drivers in action on the day.

Victory in the Micro MAX Final saw him increase his lead to 289 points, 50 more than second-placed Seb Murray. Adam Al Azhari lies third in the standings but on Saturday was best of the rest and did a good job keeping Wade honest.

Reflecting on Round 3, Championship Director Guy Sheffield summed up: "It is clear that drivers who compete at the Grand Finals return home fired upand in many cases raise the bar of our National competition further. Those who qualified are keen to continue their form and build on the experience of competing at such a high-level event.

"Lachlan was in fine form and won his Final as did Kyle, Harry, Georgie and Tony - all in action during RMC Grand Finals week in Naples. The event is unique in the world of kart racing. Everyone dreams of a chance to represent their home country there and each participant gains valuable knowledge and experience from the prestigious event which allows them to raise their level even further on their return home. Winning the 'ticket' to next year's Finals is undoubtedly the major motivation for our competitors to aspire to become UAE Champions," concluded Sheffield.

Points Standings After Round 3:

DD2

1.Kyle Kumaran - 280

2.Constantin Reisch - 253

3.Anthony Hogg - 250

DD2 Master

1.Anthony Hogg - 250

2.Dario Rubio - 218

3.Gianluca Elmosi - 208

MAX

1.Lachlan Robinson - 272

2.Theo Kekati - 265