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Rotax International Open - Qualifying

press release

26 October 2013

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ROTAX MAX International Open at Zuera (ES)
Qualifying comes up with first Pacemakers

On Friday the ROTAX MAX International Open kicked-off with the first decisive sessions at Zuera. After two days of testing hide-and-seek was over and the qualifying practice ascertained the quickest drivers of the junior, senior and DD2 category on the 1.700 high speed circuit in northern Spain. Warm and sunny weather made for a perfect day, which saw a close outcome in each class. In the end a perfect lap could only be driven downwind, making slipstream a key to success.

Above: Martin Pierce, fastest qualifier in DD2 Masters
pic - Timo Deck/RGMMC Media

The recently crowned European junior champion Guan Yu Zhou (Strawberry Racing) set the pace in the junior category for almost the entire session. But by a last minute attack it was Harrison Thomas (Paul Carr Racing) who marked the best time at the very end. Clock stopped at 1:05.124 minutes for the youngster from the UK. Zhou had to be satisfied with second place, missing only 0.088 parts of a second. Ralf Aron (Dan Holland Racing) from Estonia completed the top three positions of the 33 junior drivers.

The UK drivers dominated the qualifying practice in the senior category. Not less than the first four positions went to the British force, which was led by Connor Jupp (Coles Racing) in first place. Only 0.109 slower was Jai Nijjar (Strawberry Racing) in second position, giving an impressive debut in the senior class. The former junior was even quicker than 2009 European KF2 Champion Jordan Chamberlain (Dan Holland Racing) and Max Aitken (Strawberry Racing). Best non-British driver was Roope Markkanen (MPT Racing) from Finland completing the top five positions.

Above: Quickest Junior, Harrison Thomas
pic - Timo Deck/RGMMC Media

Nine different nations made into the top ten in the DD2 class. At last Sweden, represented by Andreas Backman (Strawberry Racing), was quickest in the Spanish heat. Japan's Tadasuke Makino (KMS Europe) took second place ahead of Rasmus Markkanen (MPT Racing) from Finland, Shaun Slavin (Paul Carr Racing) from the UK and Frenchman Anthony Abbasse (Sodikart). Best driver of the DD2 Masters classification was Martin Pierce (Josh Hart Racing) from Ireland, who managed a remarkable twelfth place in the overall ranking.

On Saturday the action goes on with a total of nine qualifying races. Again live TV coverage broadcasts throughout the weekend. So stay tuned on the official website www.rotaxmaxeurochallenge.com, where you get all information regarding reports, photos, results and live TV stream.

Above: Andreas Backman, DD2
pic - Timo Deck/RGMMC Media

 

 

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