The final round of the 2007 ROTAX MOJO Max Euro Challenge is being hosted this weekend by the famous Karting Genk complex in Belgium where all four classes of the championship are still to be decided. Located just an hour from the nation’s capital Brussels, the circuit is now in its third year since it was completely redesigned and has been the venue for the last round of the European event for the past two seasons. The facilities are amongst some of the best found today in Europe.
With almost 170 competitors set to contest the Rotax categories, event organisers and promoters RGMMC Establishment are happy to welcome drivers from 31 worldwide nations. Unlike previous years, the champions’ prize is still up for grabs in the Junior, Senior and Max Masters together with the 2-speed DD2 class, which will only make the racing even more interesting at Genk. In addition to the European title, the Chassis Make Trophy will also be awarded in all of the series classes.
In Senior Max, English rivals Mike Simpson and Ben Cooper face the likes of the very competitive Dutch frontrunners Ricardo Romkema and Mike Joossens, the current World number one and two. It’s virtually impossible to separate these four brilliant drivers based on this season’s results. Naturally the local pilots have the advantage of knowing the track very well, with Joossens especially having been most successful at the Genk circuit in several events during the season.
Series leader in juniors Mats Van den Brand hopes to improve on his 2006 3rd place in the championship but claims it will be extremely tough fighting off World champ Jorrit Pex, also from the Netherlands, who is eager to add the European title to his list of victories. Round three winner Kazuki Hiramine has the chance to bring both their dreams undone however, since moving to Great Britain from Japan to study and gaining valuable experience racing in the British championship.
Max Masters leader Colin Davis hopes to take the honours undisputedly in Genk to make amends for his final round loss at the same event last year. The only other driver who has been victorious in the class during the series is the tiny Frenchman Jerome Bourquard and he’s set to give the Brit a run for his money. The David and Goliath battle is followed closely in the points by Patrick Vaasterman of the Netherlands, who’s also been on the podium in the DD2 class as well this year.
Engine manufacturer BRP-Rotax as the owners of the Euro Challenge will promote their latest edition to the ‘Max’ family of kart motors with a demonstration of the 125cc Micro Max, in conjunction with Karting Genk. This will take place during the lunch break Sunday following a media breakfast with Rotax representatives that morning. Adding yet another dimension to the already established touch-and-go progression for young drivers, the Micro Max offers the same innovation and technology for beginners that is evident at the international Rotax championship.
Official practice began Wednesday, September 26th for all competitors of the Euro Challenge at Genk and continues through to Friday afternoon when timed practice takes place. Each class then has three qualifying heats Saturday before Sunday’s 2nd chance races and finals later in the day.
Kart Data brings you all the lap times from Friday as they happen over the net which can be found by clicking here! ‘Timing Live’ |
