Euro Rotax Rnd 3 Set To Be a Scorcher
press release
With two rounds down and two to go, the summer edition of the 2010 Rotax Max Euro Challenge returns this week to the Speedworld circuit near Austria’s beautiful capital Vienna, for what is expected to be an absolute sizzler. Not only are temperatures forecast to reach the high 30s, but with almost 160 entries, the competition looks set to offer some definite hot track action not to be missed.
Following a very wet and cold series opener in France back in March, Germany then hosted an unpredictable round 2 in May where the stormy weather turned the tables for many of the obvious favourites. Now, as the championship passes the half way mark this season and revisits the original venue where Austrian engine manufacturers BRP-Powertrain (formerly BRP-Rotax) first staged the previous European Max Championship, the 2010 Euro title remains well and truly up for grabs.
Since RGMMC Establishment became the organisers and promoters of the Rotax Max Euro Challenge when it was born 7 years ago in Italy, the thriving international series has come back to Speedworld on several occasions. It now boasts on average 30 nations represented across the four Max 125cc classes being contested and some incredibly close racing. This week is anticipated to be nothing less than exciting, as the European titles together with the much sought after prizes being offered by RGMMC that include free entry to the first ever Rotax International Open in October plus invitations courtesy of BRP-Powertrain to the 2010 Rotax Grand Finals, remain there for the taking.
Open practice is already underway for all round 3 competitors in the lead up to Friday’s official timed sessions to determine start grid positions for the qualifying heats Saturday. Senior Max series points leader Joey van Splunteren is already amongst the pacesetters in the 72-kart field, while fellow Dutch driver Bas De Laat who holds the lead in Juniors is hoping to build on the narrow margin in his class, which has just short of 50 starters at the Austrian event. A full grid in the Rotax DD2 sees Denmark’s Andreas Jensen vying to maintain his place on top of the leader board after two rounds, while defending Max Masters World number one Christophe Adams is keen to continue his lead in the championship to qualify for the Grand Finals and defend his title as part of the very competitive Euro Challenge squad that will head to Italy in November.
A busy on-track program Saturday consists of 18 heat races after the morning warm-up, while Sunday sees the second chance eliminators for Junior and Senior Max preceding the pre-finals before the lunch break. The afternoon is dedicated to the all-important finals for each class before the prizegiving ceremony turns on the celebrations for the third round winners at the central European circuit.
Live timing and live trackside commentary begins Friday at 10:00 CET at www.rgmmc.com for Euro race fans around the world to stay tuned to the action as it unfolds. Follow the link to RGMMC TV to find Raceworld TV with highlights and interviews from the Speedworld paddock over the weekend.
RGMMC will announce another European karting innovation on the RGMMC calendar this season, when they introduce a new class* at the CIK-sanctioned Rotax International Open (RIO) in Spain later this year. It’s historically a first for this level of karting in Europe – all about “Lady Luck in RIO”!
*Subject to CIK-FIA Approval