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Frosty Opening At Rotax Euro Challenge


press release 30 March 2013
 
  • Australians Pierce Lehane and James Macken qualified 22nd (+0.342s off pole) and 65th (+0.914s) respectively in the 84-kart Senior MAX field. Lehane will start from the fifth row of the grid in the Group B heats while Macken will be from row 13 in Group E’s heat races.

press release

Yesterday (Friday) saw ROTAX MAX Euro Challenge kick off its racing season 2013 on the 1360 metres long track of Genk (BEL). Though snow was covering the circuit on Friday morning, this did not stop more than 200 drivers and the organisation of RGMMC from opening the tenth anniversary season.


Above: Pole sitters during the tv interviews
pic - Timo Deck/RGMMC Media

Just in time for the first decisive sessions snow was completely gone and the circuit appeared fully dry which made the first qualifying practice of the year go off without a hitch. Yet the cold and frosty temperatures were a special challenge to all involved, turning the first day into a sort of Winter Cup race, which did not leave any space for spring-like feelings to Easter.

In junior category it was Josh Price (Chris Rogers M/Sport) setting the benchmark of the grid. In doing so he confirmed his excellent performance, he was already showing at the ROTAX Winter Cup at Campillos, when the youngster from the UK was pole-setter and prefinal winner.

Connor Jupp (Dan Holland Racing) from the UK was the quickest man on track in the senior category and took the best time ahead of his 83 opponents. James Singleton (Coles Racing) put his Tony Kart in second position, missing pole position by only 0.019 seconds. At last the first 70 drivers were separated by not even one second, which promises some thrilling races for Saturday.


Above: Josh Price, top qualifier in Junior MAX
pic - Timo Deck/RGMMC Media

DD2 qualifying could not be any closer. It was Sean Babington from the UK (Dan Holland Racing) and Ferenc Kancsar from Hungary (KMS Europe) driving exactly the same lap time, putting both of them on the very top. In this case the second quickest lap time decided about pole position, which was finally set by Babington. "Actually I was not so sure if my time was quick enough but finally it worked out. Obviously we tie in with our good performance at the Winter Cup. Yet the races will be really tough. I could easily tell you a list of ten drivers, who have the skills to take the win in DD2", stated Babington to the media.

Tomorrow race action will fill the whole day. Not less than 22 heats are scheduled in order to decide on the final classification of the grid before the finals on Sunday. So stay tuned on the official website www.rotaxmaxeurochallenge.com, where you get all information regarding reports, photos, results and live TV stream.


Above: Group picture, Euro Challenge round 1
pic - Timo Deck/RGMMC Media


Above: Sean Babbington, now racing DD2
pic - Timo Deck/RGMMC Media

 

 

 

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