Dubai-based drivers qualify for RMC Grand Finals

Kyle Kumaran, Lachlan Robinson, Adam Al Azhari, Harry Hannam and Georgie Zouein are through to 2019 Rotax MAX Challenge (RMC) Grand Finals at Circuito Internationale di Napoli, in Sarno.

The five Dubai-based schoolboys flew the UAE flag on a day of pre-finals for all categories, in which almost half the 360 drivers were eliminated and the best of the best remain in the competition to contest the 20th edition of the RMC Grand Finals.

Robinson continued his fine vein of form in the Senior MAX Pre-Final, making up seven positions during a hard-fought and action-packed race to finish 3rd and will start the Grand Finals from 15th place.

Kumaran improved with every race and was always among the top 15 during the past week, the Dubai based high-school boy getting better and better with each session in what is one of the most competitive classes in the RMC finals. He will start the Grand Final from 24th on the grid of 36 drivers.

Georgie Zouein made into the Junior MAX Grand Finals with one of his best performances to date, climbing an impressive 16 places on his way to fifth place.

This was enough to make up for some bad luck in the qualifying races and ensure he is in the Grand Final where he will start from 27th in a field of 36 drivers.

Hannam has been among the fastest Mini MAX drivers since Monday, often setting the fastest laps in the sessions and often running with the pace-setters.

But an incident during the pre-final when he was looking strong for a top five finish, dropped him to the back of the field and he will thus start from last on the grid for the Grand Final.

Azhari kept his head to make up a remarkable 20 places in the Micro MAX Pre-Final and with the result he will start the Final from 12th and will be looking for a repeat performance. Should luck play in his favour he is arguably the best bet to get a podium for Team UAE.

Khaled Saab’s week was compromised by a poor strategy call from his crew in Junior MAX qualifying from which he never really recovered despite a gutsy showing in the pre-final he was unable to make it into the last 36 that quualified for finale.

Jakob Robinson never quite got going in the DD2 class. Stuck on the wrong end of the grid it was always going to be a tall order to break into the top 36. He was classified 69th out of the 72 drivers in the class.

Tony Hogg was another of the team’s drivers that was denied any luck all week in the DD2 Master category, ending the day 48th out of the 72 drivers - not enough to progress to Saturday’s Final.

Hussain Umid Ali admitted after the pre-final that he was not fully fit for this year’s final due to a shoulder injury that hampered him throughout the event. He was classified 55th overall.

Al Ain Raceway club director Guy Sheffield commented at the end of the penultimate day: “Although five of the Team UAE drivers will be in action the Grand Finals of their respective classes and five others will be watching from the sidelines, every single one of them deserve high praise for their effort and the team spirit that prevailed during this week.

“The five finalists have little to lose and will all be looking to make their way towards the sharp end and, although an outside chance, there is still reason to believe that a podium or two might be in reach. But our drivers will need to raise their game as the best karters in the world of Rotax racing strive to win the coveted titles on what is sure to be a riveting Final day.”