Title No. 3 For Master Maxi

press release

Junior Intrepid Force Rotax driver Maxi Gunkel has won the 2009 German Max Masters at the Vogelsbergring circuit, Wittgenborn, making it his third title win in just two weekends. In virtually another “whitewash”, the 15-year old claimed pole position Saturday morning while setting a new lap record. Again, he remained too quick for his rivals in the following heats, taking victory in both races and clocking the best lap as well.

Above: Maxi Gunkel in action
pic - Dirk Fulko / www.kartfoto.de

In the first heat, Gunkel outdrove his Austrian IFR team mate Corinna Kamper to finish a very comfortable 6 seconds ahead when he took the chequered flag, before repeating his outstanding performance in the next race with a three-second lead over prominent Austrian youngster Julian Wagner.

Starting from pole in the final, the IFR team driver got a good start to fight off any chance Wagner might have of catching him, once more claiming the fastest lap of the race, and crossing the line two seconds in front to secure the Masters win at his home track. It was the ideal way to close the season!

The German champ was nothing less than ecstatic after his impressive effort the whole weekend, knowing that the “triple title” end to his junior kart racing career was the perfect exit. “It was a very nice weekend to win everything that I could and also to win for the first time at Wittgenborn. The qualifying turned out to be perfect; the Intrepid chassis and HRS engine was really good, so I was on pole position and set a new lap record.”

Above: Gunkel waits on the grid
pic - Dirk Fulko / www.kartfoto.de

“I had a good win in the first heat and in the second race I tried to look after my tyres, but still won by a gap. In the final I gave it 100% to become the 2009 Max Master in Juniors. It’s a great result for me! I want to say thanks to my super team for everything - Ernst, Steve and Josh!” Unfortunately, Gunkel recently narrowly missed out on winning the Rotax Max Challenge series for the invitation to compete at the Rotax Grand Finals in Egypt.

IFR’s Corinna Kamper qualified 3rd in Junior Max for a positive beginning to the meeting and drove well to take 2nd place to Gunkel in heat one. However, she had some bad luck in the second race when an incident at the start left her way down the order in the field, left to finish just outside the top 10. Although Kamper made up several positions, she was unable to regain her momentum in the final and had to settle for 8th.

Above: Corinna Kamper
pic - Bas Kaligis / www.kartxpress.com

In Senior Max, Tobias Weichenberger was beaten to pole by fellow Austrian Simon Wagner, who proved too strong on the day to take the eventual win. Starting on P2, the IFR senior had a great race to hold 3rd in heat one behind the pole-sitter and Denmark’s Rasmus Wendelboe, but heat two ended prematurely after being crashed out in the opening lap. In the final, Weichenberger failed to maintain his pace, finishing 9th overall.

Above: Tobias Weichenberger
pic - Jenni Wade / VPD Marketing

For results from the 2009 MAX Masters event - www.camp-company.de/html/ergebnisse.html

More IFR team news and updates can be found at www.intrepidforcerotax.com & www.racetogetthere.com

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