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| November 25, 2008 News |
| Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals Preview |
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This week the Rotax Max Challenge will host the 2008 Grand Finals at the LaConca circuit in Italy. Similar to an Olympics of karting, the event will host drivers from more than 55 countries around the world, all looking to become the champion in the Senior, DD2, and Junior categories. Fifteen American and 11 Canadians will be representing both countries at the event with hopes of titles and podiums on the docket.
The Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals officially began Tuesday with all the drivers receiving their karts and a welcome party for all the competitors, crew, and family members in attendance. Wednesday begins the on-track action with two practice sessions. Each driver will get two more sessions on Thursday before Qualifying at the end of the day. Friday begins the heat races and run until Saturday with the second chance races to set the Prefinal fields, which will take place Sunday morning. The drivers presentation will precede the main events where the three world champions will be crowned.
The American DD2 squad is six strong with plenty of Grand Finals experience. Grand National champion Andres Lopez will lead the team. Ryan Fowler and Nathan Mauel both have recent Grand Finals experience from 2006 in Portugal while Gatorz Challenge of the Americas champion Curtis Cooksey will make his third straight Grand Finals after running this past weekend at the SuperNationals in Las Vegas. Florida Winter Tour champion Stuart Marsell, also the 2007 Grand Nationals champion, was unable to attend last year’s event in the United Arab Emirates thus making his first trip to the Grand Finals. Another first-timer is the Masters Grand National champion Marc Miller. The long-time karter accepted a place in the DD2 category at the Grand Finals and adds another chance for America to stand on the podium.
The Senior division is just as strong with five drivers capable of posting good results. Grand National champion Arie Ouimet will return for a second straight year after winning a heat race and placing 13th at last year’s Grand Finals. Garrison Masters and Phillip Arscott will both be Grand Finals rookies but are seasoned Rotax racers. Gatorz Challenge of the Americas champion Wes Phillips was a member of the 2006 team and showed plenty of speed however gremlins kept him from posting solid results, something he’s looking for this year. Earning the trip through the 2007 SuperNats is California Clayton Snow. With Rotax winner Pier-Luc Ouellette passing on the entry to concentrate on defending the DD2 world championship with Team Canada, Snow was award the spot. He, along with Cooksey, was in Vegas this weekend, wrenching for numerous drivers and will arrive late.
Justin Coplen leads the Junior drivers as he will be making his second straight Grand Finals. The Californian ran 14th in the final last year. Taylor Miinch and Jesus Rios Jr. will both be making their first Grand Finals start but come with plenty of experience. Representing the Florida Winter Tour, Phil De La O challenge for most of the year for a national championship but would like nothing more than a world title on his CV.
eKartingNews.com will be providing coverage throughout the weekend, including updates in the Official Discussion Thread and photos provided by Rotax journalist and American Ken Johnson. For coverage of the Canadian team, make sure to click over to eKartingNews.ca |
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