Birel ART provided perfect service in Portimao during the 22nd edition of the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals. The drivers in the DD2 Max and Micro Max categories, a total of 108 competitors representing no less than 44 nationalities, were able to take advantage of high quality equipment, which ensured the sporting fairness so important to Rotax. The intensity of the races confirmed the technical and sporting expertise of the Italian factory.
The partnership between Birel ART and BRP-Rotax has been well established for many years. The Austrian engine manufacturer can count on the expertise and reputation of one of the best-known brands in the world of karting. The Italian chassis manufacturer has managed the past few busy weeks perfectly, as confirmed by Ronni Sala, President of Birel ART Group. "While the last major international event organised on Italian soil had just ended in Lonato, our teams headed to both Portugal and the United States for the Supernationals in Las Vegas. At the 25th edition, we won Shifter Pro with Pedro Hiltbrand, while placing four chassis in the top six. We also won X30 Master with Thomas Grice and Shifter Master with Antonio Pizzonia. It is part of our DNA to enable the drivers who put their trust in us to win, but we also take great care to produce chassis that are manufactured with great consistency to guarantee an equal opportunity for all. In this respect, the trip to Portugal met our expectations."
Equipment favoured by the competitors
The RMCGF remains a major international event of the season, which requires exemplary and rigorous organisation, as well as flawless logistics. Birel ART has taken up this new challenge with great professionalism. "The atmosphere during this event every year, with almost 400 drivers gathered under the same awning, interaction between competitors from all over the world and a mutual desire to make the colours of one's country shine," adds Ronni Sala. "For this Grand Final, I was again able to count on employees who do a great job, both in the factory and on the circuit. We received many compliments from the drivers during the week about the quality and performance of our products. It is very satisfying to be able to meet the requirements of this competition every year. We now have a perfectly functioning organisation and we hope to continue this extremely positive collaboration with BRP-Rotax.
The Final of the Micro Max category was one of the most intense of the meeting, with infinitely small gaps between all the young drivers. The top three finished in a group of just a tenth! The Portuguese driver Martim Marques got the better of the Lithuanian Majus Mazinas and the Briton Albert Friend in extremis to cross the finish line as winner, much to the delight of the local spectators.
The Birel ART chassis were also highly satisfactory in the Rotax DD2 Max class. 72 drivers took part in the race and it was the Briton Mark Kimber who made the difference. The Belgian Glenn Van Parijs quickly overtook the Czech Jakub Bezel to secure 2nd position. Worried by Slovenian Xen De Ruwe at the end of the race, Bezel held on to complete the podium. Birel ART congratulates all the drivers for their performance.