From the Hills News – (http://www.hillsnews.com.au/news/local/sport/motor-racing/australia-wins-rotax-max-challenge/2390071.aspx)
CASTLE Hill go-karter Pierce Lehane recorded two top five finishes in the United Arab Emirates last month to help Australia win the Nation’s Cup in the Rotax Max Challenge grand final.
The 16-year-old showed tremendous concentration and patience to weave his way through a crowded field of 72 drivers and finish heat one in fourth place and heat two in second.
A serious crash in the third heat ended Pierce’s chances of podium finish but was enough to help Australia win the challenge event overall.
Pierce said he was disappointed not to finish in the top three and after coming third in the same event last year in Italy.
“[In the third heat] I was challenging for the lead in third place when a Canadian driver hit the back of my kart,” Pierce said.
The heavy contact caused Pierce to lose control of his kart and smash into a safety wall at 90 km/h.
“I chipped my tooth and my kart had extensive damage with the nose cone, steering column and driver’s seat all needing replacing.”
He was towed back from the wall and finished in 33rd place.
Bad luck struck again for Pierce in the World Final trophy race when he was hit off the track by rival driver in the seventh lap.
Pierce was coming fourth at the time but couldn’t recover the valuable seconds he lost and finished the meet in 15th place.
Despite the disappointing finish to the meet Pierce said he happy to compete in his third international challenge and gain exposure to the European racing market.
“My aim is to go over to Europe next year and enter the under 18s World Karting Championship,” he said.
