EXCITEMENT BUILDING IN PORTIMAO FOR ROTAX GRAND FINALS

The line-up of karts that will be used at this week's event on the Portimao circuit

The excitement is building in the South of Portugal ahead of this week’s 13th Annual Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals being held at the International Karting Circuit of Portimao.

The event will see 276 drivers from 60 countries vying for victory competing in identical equipment. Competitors on the junior ranks will be competing aboard the Birel chassis while competitors in the Senior Max category will line up in the Sodi kart chassis, Mach 1 is the chassis chosen for the DD2 category while Haase chassis will be supplied to competitors in the DD2 Masters category.

Australia is the current holder of the Nations Cup, having won the prestigious title at the corresponding event at Al Ain (UAE) last year. With a combined total of 14 National championships among the Australian contingent, hopes are high for another top results this week.

One of the drivers expected to lead the charge for the brigade from ‘Down Under’ is Sydneysider Joseph Mawson.

After finishing runner-up in the Junior Max category last year, Mawson has this year competed in the three-round CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Championship culminating in a victory at the final round in Bahrain earlier this month.

The 16 year-old is confident of another strong result this weekend in Portugal, however, despite his great results over the past 12 months, Mawson says that he’s not feeling extra pressure on him this week.

Joseph Mawson preparing his Sodi kart trackside in Portimao

“I’m trying to come into the weekend as relaxed as possible and not put too much pressure on myself in order to perform as best that I can,” said Mawson.

“Last year in Al Ain was an amazing experience, it was only my second overseas race, so I was still learning a lot. now with a number of European races I’m really forward to the races later in the week and have more of an idea what to expect.

“Bahrain was an amazing event, it is a bit different to this one, this is a bit more like an Olympics with so many drivers and teams from all around the world. We’ve got a close-knit Australian team and I’m sure we’ll all be helping each other to get the best results we can. The competition is going to be extremely tough and I can’t wait to take to the circuit tomorrow.”

Mawson will be joined by fellow Sydney driver Pierce Lehane, who finished third at La Conca (Italy) in the Junior Max category, and Victorian Daniel Rochford on the grid in the Senior Max category.

A pair of Victorians, Thomas Randle and James Golding, along with New South Welshman Joseph Burton-Harris will fly the Australian flag this week in the Junior ranks.

Three of Australia’s most experienced kart racers – Jason Pringle, Kyle Ensbey and Troy Woolston – will be competing in the DD2 category with Brent Coghlan, Hamish Leighton and Jose Ruiz Australia’s representatives in the DD2 Masters field.

This week is Jason Pringle's fourth appearance at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals

For Pringle, this is his fourth time of competing in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, and after finishing runner-up in 2011 he’s got his eyes focused on the top step this week.

“It’s always a very tough week, the way the format of having a controlled chassis and engine means that you have to make a good assessment every time you’re on the track,” said Pringle.

“This is my fourth time at the event, which means I really understand how it all runs, and what is needed to ensure that we make the most of every opportunity. Jace Lindstrom, who I have worked with for many years, is my mechanic so hopefully it will be a good week and we can bring the title back to Australia.

“The track looks like it’s going to be very fast, I think slipstreaming will be a big factor, it will be hard to make a break from the pack – so the racing should be very close.”

All drivers received their karts this afternoon with the first 20-minute practice session being contested tomorrow.

To view the full time (including a conversion to Australian time) please click here.

To view the official website for the event, which includes links to live video from November 28 and live timing throughout the event, please click here.

The Australian Karting Association’s Facebook page (facebook.com/AustralianKartingAssociation) and Twitter Feed (twitter.com/karting_net_au) will be regularly updated throughout the week.

The local time in Portugal is -11 AEDT.