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The seventh running of the ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS will take place in Viana do Castelo, Portugal from 15th to 18th November and, as in the past, the contingent of South African drivers will be watched carefully.
South Africans have won the Rotax Max Challenge world title since its inception when Gavin Cronje took victory ahead of Leeroy Poulter in Puerto Rico. The following year Claudio Piazza-Musso won in Malaysia and Mark Cronje made it a hat trick by taking the 2002 victory at Zwartkops with Piazza-Musso coming home third.
There were Junior Max and Max Challenge titles up for grabs in Egypt for the 2003 finals and Cristiano Morgado made it four in a row after beating Ricardo van der Ende in a thrilling race, as Wiaan Swart was third in the Junior Max final.
All drivers were aboard Rotax RM1 chassis when the 2004 Grand Finals were held in the Canary Isles and Wesleigh Orr took his first title as Morgado chased him home.
Last year the series returned to Langkawi, Malaysia and Orr won the RM1 title with Morgado in second place.
The overall winners of each of the 46 national Rotax Max Challenges run worldwide qualified for the Grand Finals as did the top three drivers in the Euro Challenge for Junior Max, Max Challenge, Masters and DD2 (formerly called RM1) as well as the best rookies in the Euro classes and best DD2 Master in the Euro Challenge. Additionally there are a number of ‘wild card’ entries, which replace drivers who have other commitments and cannot compete.
Trulli Kart will supply chassis for the Junior Max class with Intrepid doing the same for Max Challenge and the twin-speed direct drive DD2 class drivers will be aboard RM1 chassis. In addition to racing with supplied engines and chassis, tools, Mojo tyres, Rotax also supplies entry fees, airfares and accommodation to all qualified drivers.
As defending champion and winner of the Euro Max Challenge and DD2 titles, Vereeniging born Wesleigh Orr starts off as favourite in the two classes. Also from Vereeniging is Arnold Neveling who was runner-up in the Euro DD2 challenge.
Leeroy Poulter, currently leading the Production Car championship, won the SA DD2 title as Capetonian Wiaan Swart is the fourth SA driver in the class. Competing in the DD2 Masters are Rocky Gush and George dos Ramos.
Both Orr and Neveling will also be on the grid for the Max Challenge class and Ralph Odendaal and Mathew Hodges are the South African qualifiers in this hard fought class, as Claudio Piazza-Musso starts as the Masters favourite having won the Euro title.
Tasmin Pepper represents the fairer sex in the Junior Max class, but fellow South Africans Caleb Williams, Kevin de Witt and Devin Robertson will be determined not to be beaten by a girl.
Last, but not least, Zimbabwe will be represented in the Max Challenge by Gerard Peters who has spent much of the season racing in South Africa where he’s gained invaluable experience.
The ROTAX Grand Finals will see over 180 drivers from 46 countries representing all 5 continents racing in the biggest karting championship in the world.
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