EURO CHALLENGE GEARS UP TO BE NO VACATION
IN AUSTRIA
23.07.2007
The Speedworld complex close to Vienna
will place host once again to round 3 of the Rotax Mojo
Max Euro Challenge next week, as the championship moves
into the second half of the 2007 season. With temperatures
pushing the high 30s leading-up to Wednesday’s start
of official practice, the venue is living up to its reputation
for delivering some hot track action for the event.
The summer holidays coincide perfectly
with the Austrian round so many of the 177 competitors
and their supporters will likely take advantage of its
ideal location to take in some of the European sites.
With around 30 nations represented ranging from the USA
to Australia, Japan, South Africa and the UK throughout
Europe across to Russia, there appears to be a growing
interest from more of the eastern countries in the international
championship this year.
Many of the teams have been preparing
over the last two months doing a lot of testing and practice
at the Speedworld circuit. With both Senior and Junior
Max classes fully subscribed, the competition has some
eager young drivers keen to secure the European titles
up for grabs. Only a few places will be left vacant on
the grid in the Rotax DD2 gearbox category, with the 2-speed
class expected to turn on some great racing as they did
in Germany at the previous round.
In Seniors, 19-year old Mike Joossens
took the victory for Kombikart at the round 2 to take
a hold on the championship lead ahead of fellow Dutch
driver Ricardo Romkema and Britain’s Michael Simpson.
Having finished as vice European champ last year then
2nd to Romkema at the Rotax Grand Finals, the 2006 Netherlands’
champion is determined to make this one his own. However,
a brilliant line-up in the Max class will leave nothing
certain at this stage of the series and with 68 entries
racing for the podium in Austria, there’s no doubt
it’s going to be exciting.
Last year’s early series leader
in Juniors who eventually came away 3rd overall - Mats
Van den Brand is again hanging onto his lead after collecting
the most points at each round so far. His greatest rival
is another Dutch driver 3 years younger who’s managed
to win both this season’s finals. World Junior Max
number 1 Jorrit Pex is hot on the heels of Van den Brand
with Phillip Howarth of England chasing the pair in 3rd.
The Intrepid driver knows he will have to work hard to
beat the 13-year old and keep his chance of winning but
he’s well aware there are also a few other juniors
renowned for their success at the Speedworld track, not
to mention those who have already shown the pace to fight
for the prime positions.
A return to the Euro Challenge by some
of the former DD2 frontrunners could see series points
leader Leeroy Poulter challenged again at this round.
Defending champ Wesleigh Orr has unfortunately had to
withdraw due to his racing commitments in cars but the
remaining competitors are not prepared to let the current
South African DD2 champ seal the championship honours,
as Poulter hopes to do for Birel in Austria. Some familiar
names in the series - Dennis Kroes and Christophe Adams
are presently placed 2nd and 3rd in the standings with
several other drivers just behind them in the points tally
who have posed a serious threat at the last two rounds.
Not much at all separates the Max Masters
when it comes to the championship, although the ’06
vice champion Colin Davis of Great Britain is still sitting
on top of the leader board for Kosmic, just 5 points ahead
of round 2 winner Jerome Bourquard. Davis failed to prevent
the French pilot stealing back the race lead in the final
in Germany. They both know the Austrian circuit from having
done battle there last year in what was one of the best
races for the spectators on the program. Patrick Vasterman
running two classes at the event, who picked-up the Masters’
prize at the 2nd round in the DD2 class and Olivier Fiorucci,
are equal 3rd in the championship right now.
Following free practice which begins
Wednesday, July 25th, official timed practice sessions
at the Euro Challenge are scheduled for Friday to establish
grid positions for qualifying heats Saturday. The second
chance races for the Senior and Junior Max plus pre-finals/finals
take place on Sunday.
The link to Kart-Data Live Timing can
be found on the official championship homepage at www.rgmmc.com
where the lap-by-lap action gets underway online from
Friday morning.
Motors TV will broadcast highlights of the event starting
from Monday, August 13th at 19.00 hrs.
DVDs are also available from each round of the 2007 series
at the venue or by contacting RGMMC.
2007 ROTAX MOJO Max Euro Challenge
July 25 – 29 Bruck, Austria
September 26 – 30 Genk, Belgium
*All dates listed include the days allocated for official
free practice, qualifying and finals.
More information about the ROTAX MOJO Max Euro Challenge
can be found at www.rgmmc.com
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