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4th September 2010

Euro Showdown Underway at Genk - from RGMMC

The fourth and final round of the 2010 Rotax Max Euro Challenge has begun at the impressive Karting Genk complex in Belgium where the championship titles in all four classes being contested are still not yet decided. Almost 160 drivers will compete this weekend, some of which are not in contention of finishing on the overall podium, but are here to race against many of the best drivers in the Rotax categories – and ultimately to win.

It’s the fifth time in the seven year history of the international event that the 1,360 metre circuit has hosted the ‘Euro’, each edition being the last round of the series where the deserving winners have been crowned. The current track layout that was originally opened in 2005 is a compilation of some of the best circuits in Europe that combines long, fast straights with some hard-braking corners. For many, it’s a difficult track to find the ideal set-up and race line to match the locals.

In Senior Max, Joey van Splunteren has featured on the podium already in the three preceding rounds this season to lead the points, and as the lap record-holder, comes into the Belgian meeting as an odds-on favourite, but is still able to be beaten for the number one European ranking. British rival Tom Fawcett can steal the Dutch driver’s thunder and a handful of others also have the opportunity to take a place at the prizegiving ceremony and consequently receive an invitation to the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals being held at the famous La Conca circuit in Italy this November.

Junior Max sees the battle for the champion’s title involving two relatively new team-mates in Joel Affolter and Jack Barlow, while the reigning World number one Ukyo Sasahara sits in 3rd position before the worst two finals are omitted from the points tally. The possible threat to Affolter’s lead could perhaps come from James Singleton, however, who is only then one point behind Barlow sitting in P2 with the lowest scoring races accounted for. Just a few points separate the next group of drivers who remain in contention, so the racing is likely to turn on a terrific end to series for the spectators.

Patrick Pearce heads the Rotax DD2 class in the overview, but round 1 winner Andreas Jensen holds the points’ advantage in the calculations on the possible races to be eliminated. With a definite chance of claiming the 2-speed title, Damien Vuillaume and Maik Barten will, without any doubt, only add to the excitement of the DD2 competition, having to fight off a challenge from Simas Juodvirsis who was second round winner at Wackersdorf in Germany. As the quickest of the Rotax classes on the grid at the Euro, the DD2 continues to grow stronger as the championship winds down in 2010.

The Masters’ series leader, Christophe Adams, was also the winner of the 2009 World Masters’ title, which only boosts his confidence in the lead-up to the finale at his home circuit in Genk. With not so many points the gap to Mikko Laine in 2nd, who was victorious in the opening round, keeps Adams from losing sight of the fact that nothing’s guaranteed until the last chequered flag is waved. Yet another hope lies with Florent Lambert on P3, whose success as the winner of the 2010 Rotax Winter Cup back in February, has purely added to his determination to secure another title in addition to the first.

Race fans around the world can tune into the track action online at www.rgmmc.com where Live Timing and detailed results from all track sessions can be found by clicking on the link to LIVE TIMING. It’s also accompanied by live commentary from RGMMC Series speaker Ken Walker. At the official RGMMC.com homepage, the link to RGMMC TV provides video updates, interviews and lots more throughout the weekend by selecting the “Video Archive” option.

Following Friday’s official timed practice, Saturday consists of a full program of 18 qualifying heat races to determine who will advance to the finals on Sunday.