At Genk (BEL) the ROTAX MAX Euro Challenge kicked off its 2016 season today. Around 150 drivers from over 20 nations in three categories headed for the first best times of the year on the 1.360 metres long circuit in Belgium. Competition could not be higher and weather made for perfect and sunny conditions on the track.
In the junior category one witnessed a very high competition and counted not less than 45 drivers being separated by less than one second in the end. Yet the drivers of the second group proved to be dramatically faster than the first one, taking the top nine positions after the qualifying. On top it was Adam Smalley (Coles Racing) setting the first benchmark of the year. The young Brit tied in with his latest success at the ROTAX Winter Cup and drove the quickest time by 56.247. Missing the top by only 0.047 seconds, Joe Phillips (KR Sport) from the UK ended the session in second spot ahead of his teammate and fellow countryman Oli Caldwell (KR Sport). The local heroes Xavier Handsaeme (Bouvin Power) and Xander Przybylak (Francois Slangen) completed the top five positions. Tom Canning (KR Sport) from the UK, who had been the fastest man in the first group, ended up in tenth place of the 54 youngsters comprising field.
Berkay Besler (Bouvin Power) set the pace in the senior class. The Turkish driver was remarkably faster than his opponents. His best time of 55.180 seconds boosted him onto the first place, while Josh White (Coles Racing) from the UK took the second position, missing out the top by already 0.132 seconds. Third place went to Brit Jordan Brown-Nutley (JBN Racing) ahead of local hero Noah Roovers (Daems Racing) and last years’ European junior champion Jack McCarthy (Strawberry Racing).
Constantin Schoell (Daems Racing) from Austria was in control in the DD2 category. By a time of 54.318 seconds the Tony Kart driver set the fastest time of the day. Close behind Kevin Ludi (Spirit Racing) from Switzerland followed in second position pushing Abdullah Al Rawahi (KMS) and Joey Alders (Schepers Racing Service) into the chasers roles. The Italian Cosimo Durante (Wild Kart Racing Team) complemented the top five after the qualifying. Best driver of the DD2-Masters classification was Dutchman Dennis Kroes (Team Kroes Goedsign/JVD Power).
As the qualifying practice is history now, everyone is watching out for the next stage: On Saturday 18 heats will set the grids for the finals, culling only the best 102 drivers for the races on Sunday. More information regarding reports, photos, results and live TV stream are available on the official websites www.rotaxmaxeurochallenge.com or www.telemundi.com.
Info & Photo RGMMC