Lehane On The Podium At Rotax World Final
from Ian Black in Italy - event results HERE
Pierce Lehane has done Australia proud by finishing 3rd in the Rotax World Finals in Italy today (Sunday) in an amazing race where there was so much action going on you did not know where to look.
On the last lap the lead changed at almost every corner and the race was up for grabs between any one of 6 or 7 karts right to the end. At the finish line it was almost impossible to tell who ran where with 4 or 5 karts crossing the finish line so close together that no one really knew who finished where until the official timing results were available. Pierce was originally declared 4th place getter but in post race scrutineering the winning kart from Estonia was found to have an illegal seat stay (bent type rather than straight) and was excluded elevating Pierce to 3rd place.
Above: Pierce Lehane (right) on the Junior MAX podium with the two Dutch drivers Jordi van Moorsel (1st) and Joel Affolter.
Jonathon Venter finished the final 21st and James Macken 23rd, both having eventful races and often coming off second best courtesy of the very agressive European style of racing.
In Senior Max Troy Bretherton started from grid 25 for the final but unfortunately was involved in first corner carnage and his kart was damaged and he was unable to continue.
In DD2 Masters, Tony Prendergast started from 23 and was also involved in first lap drama, dropping back to 28th. Later in the race he had another coming together with a kart and the two of them became locked together. Once they got detached from each other Tony rejoined the race but he had gone down a lap. Three laps from home, Tony found himself on first name terms with the crash fence in turn 2 and that was the end of his weekend.
Above: Pierce Lehane in the press conference
The DD2 class was one of the most unbelievable races you would ever see. Unfortunately all the Aussies were luckless. Early in the race Jason Pringle had crashed out and Damian Ward also slammed into the crash fence at high speed on lap 4. Travis Millar continued battling throughout the race in heavy traffic coming home officially in 20th place.
At the finish line, the winning driver celebrated wildly, lost control of his kart and it turned straight into the path of the second place kart and the two of them crashed heavily into the crash fence. It was amazing to see the two karts that just won the most prestigious Rotax race in the World slamming into the crash fence moments later in front of the huge front straight crowd. A very dramatic way to cap off the 2010 Rotax World Finals!
Above: The smashed karts of DD2 winner Daniel Morad and 2nd placed Maik Bartan after they collided after the flag.
Above: Luckily, they both rode out the prang uninjured
Above: Troy Bretherton stranded on the infield during the running of the final
Above: Team Australia!
Above: Driver's parade and official photo session
