Australia On Nations Cup Podium In USA


AKA media 17 November 2013
 

PODIUM FINISH FOR AUSTRALIA IN ROTAX NATIONS CUP

Australia’s contingent of drivers has finished on the podium in the Nations Cup at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals for the fourth consecutive year.

The team of 12 drivers were a part of the 360 competitors from all across the globe lining up in the USA at the NOLA Motorsports Park.  It was the first time in the event's 14-year history that it had been held in America.

The Australian team at the 2013 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in New Orleans, USA
Above: The Australian team at the 2013 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals in New Orleans, USA
pic - AF Images/Budd

Australia finished one point shy of Spain in the final standings with the host nation taking the win, a result Ian Black of International Karting Distributors (Australian Rotax importer) believes is a reflection of the high calibre of drivers in Australian karting.

“To finish on the podium in the Nations Cup four years in a row is a great result and just shows how strong we are as a Rotax nation,” said Black.

“It makes me think how good it could have been if guys like Joseph Burton-Harris and Adam Hunter had some more luck on their side. Overall, it is a great team result and something everyone involved should be very proud of.”

Victorian Daniel Richert finished as the best placed of the Australians with a fifth placing in the DD2 Masters category. Richert and Sydney driver Adam Hunter were both placed inside the top five midway through the 20-lap final and on track to record a double podium for the team from ‘Down Under’.

Geelong driver Daniel Richert finished as the highest placed Australian, finishing fifth in the DD2 Masters category
Above: Geelong driver Daniel Richert finished as the highest placed Australian, finishing fifth in the DD2 Masters category
pic - AF Images/Budd

Unfortunately an incident mid-race led to Hunter spinning and dropping down the order to as low as 17th place. He would then show the pace that led to him winning two of his three heat races earlier in the weekend to claw his way back up to ninth place at the chequered flag.

As Hunter made his way back inside the top ten, Richert was challenging for the lead with South African driver Cristiano Morgado and Canadian Scott Campbell. The trio ran in close proximity before Morgado held on to claim his third consecutive DD2 Masters win at the event.  Richert passed Campbell on the last lap to cross the line in second place.

Unfortunately for Richert, stewards deemed that his pass was made in a part of the track that was under yellow (caution) flag conditions and he was handed a ten-second penalty, dropping him to fifth position in the overall standings.

“That was the race of my life,” said Richert.

“I led the Rotax World Final early in the race and with two laps to go I nearly took the lead again. I’m absolutely pumped on adrenaline right now. What a race!

“The event itself was just amazing, to compete against drivers from all around the world was just an unbelievable experience.

“I’d really like to thank my mechanic Glenn Croxford for his hard work on the spanners all week and all of the guys in Team Australia for working together to get these karts set-up.”

In the Junior Max category, reigning Australian Champion James Abela was the big charger in the main event after starting 30th due to him failing to finish the pre-final. Throughout the 20-lap race Abela maneuvered his way through the field before crossing the line ninth.

Sydney teenager James Abela charged through the field in the Junior Max final
Above: Sydney teenager James Abela charged through the field in the Junior Max final
pic - AF Images/Budd

Liam McLellan finished 13th while Joseph Burton-Harris, who started from fifth position, was eliminated in an opening lap incident.

Queenslander Tyler Greenbury finished just outside the top ten in the Senior Max category in 11th place. Four-time Australian Champion Pierce Lehane started from fifth position in the final before being shuffled back in the order during the opening lap. As he was making his way back up the order he came together with fellow Australian Daniel Rochford eliminating them both from the race.

In his fifth appearance at the event, Jason Pringle used his experience throughout the weekend to find himself battling for the lead in the final of the DD2 category. Pringle was engaged in an intense battle for the duration of the 20-lap race before crossing the line seventh. Queenslander Lucas Ward moved from 33rd to 23rd in the final while Brendon Nelson was eliminated mid race due to a broken exhaust while placing just outside the top 15.

Toowoomba's Tyler Greenbury was the best of the Australians in the Senior Max category
Above: Toowoomba's Tyler Greenbury was the best of the Australians in the Senior Max category
pic - AF Images/Budd

Victories at the event went to American Juan Correar (Junior Max), United Kingdom’s Oliver Hodgson (Senior Max), South African Cristiano Morgado (DD2 Masters) and Lithuanian Simas Juodvirsis.

2013 ROTAX MAX CHALLENGE GRAND FINALS
NOLA Motorsports Park
New Orleans, USA

RESULTS: Final
*Australians in bold/italic

Junior Max
1. Juan Correar (USA)
2. Brett Ward (UK)
3. Zhou Guan Yu (UK)
9. James Abela
22. Liam McLellan
DNF Joseph Burton-Harris

DD2 Masters
1. Cristiano Morgado (RSA)
2. Scott Campbell (Can)
3. Tiago Ribeiro (Por)
5. Daniel Richert (Aus)
9. Adam Hunter
DNQ Hamish Leighton 

Senior Max
1. Oliver Hodgson (UK)
2. Aavo Talvar (Est)
3. Oliver Askew (USA)
11. Tyler Greenbury
DNF Daniel Rochford
DNF Pierce Lehane

In his fifth appearance at the event, Melbourne driver Jason Pringle finished seventh in the DD2 category
Above: In his fifth appearance at the event, Melbourne driver Jason Pringle finished seventh in the DD2 category
pic - AF Images/Budd

DD2
1. Simas Juodvirsis (Lit)
2. Joey Wimsett (USA)
3. Oriol Dalmau Caballer (ESP)
7. Jason Pringle
23. Lucas Ward
DNF Brendan Nelson

Nations Cup
1. USA
2. Spain
3. Australia
4. United Kingdom
5. South Africa

 

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