Rotax To Be Taken To Task Over 'Olympics' Tag?
With drivers from around the world having to qualify to compete at the event, Rotax promote their annual MAX Challenge Grand Final as the ‘Olympics’ of karting. Well, it seems the matter is now being taken to task with the International Olympic Committee!
Alfred Farrugia, who has been doing PR work for Malta karting champion Adrian Cauchi, has called into question Rotax’s use of the ‘Olympic’ term in relation to the company’s annual World Finals.
Farrugia has written to Christophe De Kepper, the Director General of the IOC Executive Board, requesting to know if the IOC has authorised BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG (ie, Rotax) to promote the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals as "the Olympic games of karting".
His argument is that drivers in smaller countries are not getting the opportunity to participate because the larger countries, which offer better business for Rotax, are getting the spots.
He says that if the World Finals are claimed to be the ‘Olympics’ of karting, anyone from any country who meets the required standard should be eligible to compete, as opposed to only drivers from countries where Rotax authorise the number of starters based on market share and number of people competing in the local qualifier event(s).
“Rotax champions of small countries with small ‘market size’ are not being invited to participate in the RMC Grand Finals” Farrugia informed KartSportNews.
“In the case of Malta, the Rotax Senior champion was not invited to participate last year, and has not received an invitation for this year. This is the fourth time that karting driver Adrian Cauchi has won the Rotax championship in his class in Malta, and he has never been invited.”
The official MAX Challenge website says “264 of the best kart drivers from all over the world compete in the Olympic Games of karting, the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand finals 2011” - link HERE.
The event is owned, funded, organised and run by Rotax to promote kart racing (and their product) on a national, international and continental level, culminating in a once-a-year Grand Final.
Representing Australia for the 2011 Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Dubai next month are:
125 Senior:
Tyler Greenbury
Joshua De Maio
James Macken
David Sera
125 Junior:
Joseph Mawson
Pierce Lehane
Michael Stewart
DD2:
Jason Pringle
Damian Ward
Brendan Nelson
DD2 Masters:
Brent Coghlan
