23rd November 2011

THREE AUSSIES IN THE TOP TEN AT AL AIN (inc. video)

Click Here to view the image gallery and see below for video interviews with the Aussies.

Three Australian drivers have qualified inside the top ten for the 2011 Rotax Max Challenge Grand at the Al Ain Raceway in the United Arab Emirates today.

After setting the second fastest time in his group behind eventual pole sitter Sean Babington, 12-time Australian Champion Dave Sera finished sixth fastest overall in the Senior Max category.

“Things are looking up today. I was 30th fastest in the final practice session, so to be second overall and sixth overall is a big achievement,” said Sera.

“I can now race from the second row of the grid and be competitive. Last time I was here in 2007 I had great speed. Although we’re using a different kart and different tyres to back then, the track knowledge is very valuable.”

Tyler Greenbury was 18th fastest while Josh de Maio and James Macken were 36th and 42nd overall.

Japanese driver Ukyo Sasahara takes pole position in Junior Max while Pierce Lehane set the seventh fastest time, Joseph Mawson 11th and Michael Stewart 43rd.

“I qualified seventh last year and ended up third, so hopefully it is my lucky number,” said Lehane.

“Joey (Mawson) and I will be nose-to-tail in the heat races. I’m sure we’ll both end up near the front by the end of it and hopefully do well in the pre-final and final.”

In the DD2 category, Brendan Nelson proved to be a surprise packet in only his third event aboard the two-speed machine. The Queenslander qualified seventh overall, closely followed by Damian Ward (12th) and Jason Pringle (14th).

Brent Coghlan set the 18th fastest time in the DD2 Masters category.

Full results from throughout the event can be found by clicking here. There will be regular updates on the AKA’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/AustralianKartingAssociation) and Twitter Feed (twitter.com/karting_net_au) throughout the week.

Information throughout the week will be posted on the Australian Karting Association’s website – karting.net.au with an image gallery found here. The official event website that includes links to results, image galleries from each day of competition along with videos can be found here . The Facebook page for the event is being updated throughout the week here.

The racing will be shown live on www.kartracingnetwork.com across Thursday, Friday and Saturday with the broadcast schedule available by clicking here.

Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals – Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Australian Drivers

QUALIFYING
Junior Max
Pole Position: Ukyo Sasahara (Japan) 57.744
7th Pierce Lehane 57.883
11th Joseph Mawson 57.994
43rd Michael Stewart 58.415

Senior Max
Pole Position: Sean Babington (United Kingdom) 56.787
6th Dave Sera 56.877
18th Tyler Greenbury 57.097
36th Josh De Maio 57.236
42nd James Macken 57.356

DD2
Pole Position: Pier-Luc Ouellette (Canada) 55.562
7th Brendan Nelson 55.694
12th Damian Ward 55.774
14th Jason Pringle 55.819

DD2 Masters
Pole Position: Christiano Morgado (South Africa) 56.222
18th Brent Coghlan 57.105