Monday at Circuito Internacional Paladino again, produced a hot and sunny start to proceedings with drivers commencing the first of three non-qualifying practice sessions. The drivers were getting to grips with the Paladino International Circuit with most describing it as fast and with high grip levels and a very technical uphill section were you are able to gain or lose a lot of time.
The Australia Team had a strong first on track day with Team Captain, Ryan Kennedy being the quickest overall in DD2. Not far behind Kennedy, was one of our Kiwi additions Ryan Wood who secured his RMCGF ticket at the 2018 Race Of Stars on his Debut in the DD2 Category. Wood impressively ended the day in fourth.
Damian Ward, no stranger to a RMCGF event also showed pace sitting within the Top 15 in today’s sessions. Ward’s experience racing at a World Finals event will show as the week continues.
In one of the toughest DD2 Masters categories the RMCGF has seen Terry Hanly of NSW is currently sitting in 32nd however he and mechanic Matt Macken are making changes to get the most out of their Sodi Kart. Trevor Whitby was within the top 25 of all three practice sessions in Brazil at the RMCGF. With Matt Greenbury on the spanners you can be assured they will be doing everything possible to get the best out of the kart. The third of our DD2 Masters representative and the only Victorian to venture to Brazil is TWM Driver Ashley Seward who today had a 26th, 25th and 18th in his three practice sessions.
In Rotax Max Queensland’s Ben Jurczak is proving to be one to watch after sitting within the top 10 in todays practice sessions, Ben ended the day strongly sitting in position 5 on the time sheets. Australia’s second New Zealand addition, Josh Hart who has ample experience on a world stage today sat within the Top 25 overall and will look to improve on those times tomorrow ahead of qualifying Wednesday.
In Junior Max Jaiden Pope is looking for redemption and his campaign has started well currently sitting in 3rd on the time sheets after the first official on track day. Team mate and fellow TWM Driver William Seal today finished his sessions in 25th, 28th & 29th and will be working on making improvements ahead of qualifying.
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Costa Toparis of Goulburn has shown that he has the pace to become a World Champion after finishing one of the practice sessions half a second quicker than anyone else Costa ended the day quickest in the Mini Max Category, working with Shayne Piper of Shayne Piper Race Engines this dynamic duo have a strong chance at a podium place at the conclusion of the event.
Jake Rutkowski of Sydney has started his journey to conquer the world strongly finishing the day in 14th position in the youngest category to take to the track at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals.
Tomorrow Team Australia will complete another three practice sessions before qualifying on Wednesday.
Remember to stay up to date through the Rotax –New Age Karting and Rotax Pro Tour Facebook Pages.
For all the Grand Finals information like time schedule, live streaming race results and more go to: https://www.rotax-kart.com/de/Max-Challenge/Grand-Finals/Grand-Finals-2018/Information-Grand-Finals-2018
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