A1 SPEEDWORLD IS ON A EURO CHALLENGE
HAT-TRICK
For the third year running the ROTAX MOJO
Max Euro Challenge will return to Austria for round 3
of the championship this week from July 26 – 30.
Since the widely international series began in 2004, the
European summer has turned on some brilliant holiday weather
for the event at the A1 Speedworld complex at Bruck/Leitha
just out of Vienna.
Last year the temperatures rose above 40°C
at the third round of the Euro Challenge so it’s
a good thing the Austrian track also offers a swimming
pool and twin jet-ski lakes for its visitors to cool down.
They also have ATV hire and model car circuits for some
extra fun in between time. Setting a new record in the
event’s history this round sees approximately 160
drivers entered to contest the four ROTAX classes. What
is impressive is the fact that they travel from nearly
30 different countries around the world to race in the
championship.
For A1 Speedworld, hosting such a renowned
event for the third time now brings with it some recognition
that they are part of a fantastic concept in karting.
Manager Harald Egger explains “We’re
happy to welcome back the Euro Challenge because it is
a prestige event that’s not only great for karting
but good for tourism in our city. Many people look forward
to taking holidays when they come to Austria to enjoy
the whole experience of what we have to offer. Over the
last three years the championship has become more professional
and grown to be bigger than ever.”
Mr Egger was also confident that some of
the local drivers would be definite podium hopes for this
week’s meeting and added that A1 Speedworld is going
to continue to provide what the Euro Challenge is famous
for, bringing some of the best Rotax Max drivers in the
world together and making the event a great atmosphere
for everyone.
So far as the points go for the series, it’s
still anyone’s championship which means that the
competition should be close, with vital points up for
grabs at the Bruck circuit. British driver Martin Pierce
(Tony) is holding onto the lead in the Senior Max but
is being hunted by some eager Dutchman; Mike Joossens
(Kombi) & Ricardo Romkema (Energy) and also World
RM1 champ Wesleigh Orr (CRG). In Junior Max it is Holland’s
Nik Vos (Energy) in first position but the next three
drivers down the table [Korjus (Zanardi), Van den Brand
(Energy) and Audze (Gillard)] are sitting on equal points
close behind him.
The Masters class is a head-to-head battle
between Jerome Bourquard (Sodi) of France and Britain’s
Colin Davis (Tony) with nothing separating them and in
the sights of some of the other top drivers. South African
ROTAX wizz-kid Wesleigh Orr has been the only driver to
take 1st on the podium at the previous rounds in Salbris
and Lonato to secure a strong lead in the DD2 gear box
category. Last year’s Junior Euro winner and fellow
countryman Arnold Neveling (PCR) is eager to steal his
thunder before it ends though.
In 2005, the Austrian round of the Euro Challenge
failed to see any of the actual series winners on the
top step of the podium. However, two class champions were
decided by the results. Wes Orr’s chances in Senior
Max were blown away when he had been the fastest in qualifying
and won all three heats but failed to finish both finals
for points. Tristram Oman was handed the title. Cristiano
Morgado in the RM1 had a deflating tyre with just laps
remaining and local driver Bernd Herndlhofer became the
only driver to beat the South African for the win in the
entire series.
Following the overwhelming success of the
RaceWorld TV broadcast at the first round in France, the
Euro Challenge organisers and promoters RGMMC Establishment
continued the coverage for the rest of the season. Highlights
and interviews from the Austrian event will be shown across
Europe the following week on Astra Digital and up to 55
countries around the world in the weeks following. All
the finals from every Euro Challenge round can also be
viewed online at www.raceworld.tv
To start the weekend’s activities off,
there will also be a huge barbeque for all the competitors
and their supporters to get together on the Friday night.
RGMMC and A1 Speedworld have joined together to provide
some good food and live music that gives everyone a chance
to relax before the racing gets underway the next morning.
Bringing more of the excitement of true international
motor sport to the event, RGMMC will also have grid girls
displaying every driver’s name in all finals on
Sunday.
The 10 day driving ban concludes Wednesday,
July 26 as official free practice gets underway for the
Euro Challenge. Heat racing will give the spectators some
added viewing value all day Saturday with 18 races as
Senior and Junior Max plus the ROTAX DD2 classes have
their highest number of entries to date. Sunday is forecast
to be a scorcher for the finals and the A1 Speedworld
looks set to live up to its reputation.
Don’t miss any of the race action from
the ROTAX MOJO Max Euro Challenge in Austria… just go
to www.rgmmc.com for the “Live Timing” and complete
results over the weekend. To check Raceworld TV programming
details see www.raceworld.tv
|
