Preview - NZ Rotax MAX Challenge, Round 2
Tweetpress release
NO REST FOR ROTAX KARTERS
There's been no rest for the country's Rotax Max category karters this week as they put the annual Easter weekend New Zealand Sprint Nationals meeting behind them and prepare for the second round of the 2012 Right Karts Kartstars Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand in Tokoroa this weekend.
Defending Right Karts 125cc Rotax Max Light class champion Daniel Kinsman got his 2012 campaign off to a winning start at the opening round of this year's six-round series at Palmerston North in early February and competition for him this weekend is again expected to come from fellow Aucklander Daniel Connor - who finished second to top Australian driver David Sera in the 125cc Rotax Max Light class at the Nationals at Easter - and last season's class runner-up Kane Taylor, who is returnign to the series this weekend after missingthe first round at Palmerston North in February.
Above: Right Karts KartStars Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand 125cc Rotax Max Light Rnd 1 class winner Daniel Kinsman (#2) leads Fraser Hart (#69) and Daniel Connor (#1) at Palmerston North.
pic - Fast Company/Hagen Hopkins
One of the other Australian drivers who flew over for the opening round of this year's Challenge, Thomas Randle, dominated the Arai Junior Max class, but last season's pace-setter Scott Manson looks set to again be the form man this weekend being fresh from winning the New Zealand Junior 100cc Yamaha title at the Nationals at Easter.
Another Nationals standout, Hawke's Bay driver Zack Zaloum, was the one of beat in the Strata Networks 125cc Rotax Max Heavy class at the opening round so the battle at Tokoroa is expected to involve him, Auckland's Shane Hodgson (second at the first round), former New Zealand rep Niki Urwin from Tauranga and series returnee Stuart Marshall from Auckland.
Adding extra spice this weekend is a $200 cash prize for the fastest qualifier in each class.
The weekend's round of the 2012 Right Karts Kartstars Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand is the second of six with others set to follow in Hamilton, Te Puke, Auckland and Rotorua.
CALENDAR
Rnd 1 Feb 18 Manawatu Toyota Raceway Palmerston North
Rnd 2 April 14-15 Pinex Raceway Tokoroa
Rnd 3 May 05-06 Agrisea Raceway Hamilton
Rnd 4 July 28-29 Fagan's Valley Raceway Te Puke
Rnd 5 August 25-26 Moselle Panel & Paint Raceway Auckland
Rnd 6 October 06-07 KartSport Rotorua Raceway Mamaku
