The first round of the 2008 Plus Rotax Max Challenge Malaysia was held over last weekend at the Sepang International Karting Circuit. In the senior category Imran Zaharias took first ahead of Masedenal Ali and Mikko Nassi. Full results for all categories are available on the MyLaps website. Pictures to follow.
Discuss the event in the forums.
Press Release:
Opening round of 2008 Plus Rotax Challenge Attracts a Crowd
Imran Zaharias took a convincing victory in the Rotax Senior category at the first round of the Plus Rotax Max Challenge Malaysia karting series held at the Sepang International Karting Circuit on Sunday. The event was the opening round of the premier karting series in Malaysia, kicking off the 2008 kart racing season.
Attracting a total of 67 competitors in the various categories the season got off to a great start with the racing held in sweltering hot weather conditions, the event attracted a large group of spectators including former F1 driver and current A1GP driver Alex Yoong in attendance.
Having earned pole position for the Final in the Rotax Senior category Imran Zaharias was challenged early in the race by Masedenal Ali however was then able to build a gap and maintain it for the remainder of the race. Mikko Nassi proceeded to put on constant pressure on Masedenal Ali throughout the 25-lap race however he never got into a good enough position for an overtaking maneuver. Zaharias ended up with a 2 second gap to Masedenal Ali at the finish line with Nassi a further 4 tenths of a second behind. Mohammad Afiq Ikhwan scored valuable championship points finishing in 4th in his first Senior category race having moved over from the Junior category.
In the newly introduced DD2 category Farriz Fauzy (brother of A1GP and GP2 racer Fairuz Fauzy) faced little competition with the next competitor Ray Kong a distant 17 seconds behind at the finish line. John King brought home his kart in 3rd place.
The Rotax Masters category for those aged 32 and above witnessed a grid of 18 drivers battle it out for the race win. Freddy Lawan was in dominant form taking first well ahead of Ray Kong after a spirited consistent performance.
In the Rotax Junior Category Indonesian driver Kevin Susilo impressed having brought the fight to the local drivers by showing real class performance throughout the racing weekend and taking the chequered flag 1.5 seconds ahead of Malaysian driver Ryan Ritchie. Muhammad Nabil finished the race in 3rd while Ross Green showed improved pace this year taking 4th place.
In the Cadet category for the for those aged 12 and under it was an intense battle between Yasuo Senna Iriawan and Andhika Sasabone. Sasabone took the lead on lap 13 but had to concede it again the very next lap with Yasuo Senna Iriawan powering to the finish fractions of a second ahead!
From here the racers are looking on to the 2nd round of this 5 round championship. It will be held in Kota Bharu, Kelantan on 5-6 April in conjunction with the Sultan of Kelantan’s birthday celebrations. This year the annual event will also be part of the Asia Max Challenge which will witness a myriad of competitors from the region vying for critical championship points. 2008 is also Visit Kelantan Year 2008, which will add to the interest at the event with several cultural events planned in the state and at the Karting event as well.
Top 5 Results:
Rotax Senior:
Imran Zaharias
Masedenal Ali
Mikko Nassi
Mohammad Afiq Ikhwan
Rayomand Banajee
Rotax Junior:
Kevin Susilo
Ryan Ritchie
Muhammad Nabil
Ross Green
Mohd Hasif Nor Azmi
Rotax Masters:
Freddy Lawan
Ray Kong
Dwinanto Nugrohd
S. Ratnaraj
Andrew Crombie
DD2:
Farriz Fauzy
Ray Kong
John King
Kelvin Choo Kang Woei
James Fancourt Mitchell
Cadet:
Yasuo Senna Iriawan
Andhika Sasabone
Luqman Nulhakim
Timothy Yeo
Indra Muzaffar