UAE karting champions crowned

The final round winners on the podium at Al Ain Raceway

The UAE has chosen its top karters to represent the country at this year’s World Championships, following the final round of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge at Al Ain Raceway.

Round 10 saw the drivers in the top-level DD2 class battle hard for a chance to represent their country in Italy this November.

Mohammed Al Dhaheri held the advantage with a slight lead but Ali Al Darmaki was close behind. Al Dhaheri qualified on pole position but Al Darmaki took the lead at the start of the final.

Sheikh Khalid Al Nahyan spun from second at the start, which left Al Dhaheri in second where he stayed to net the title and his trip to Italy. Al Darmaki won the race and set the fastest lap of the day. Arnaud Bouf was third ahead of Shihab Al Faheem.

Action from the final round of the UAE Rotax Max Challenge at Al Ain Raceway

Championship leader Maurits Knopjes suffered technical trouble in the pre-final of the Senior Max class. But the Dutchman climbed from last to second in the final to clinch the overall championship and book his flight to the world finals in Italy this November. The race was won by the outgoing champion Scott Latham, whose hopes of retaining his title were dashed by technical problems in round eight. Paul Healy was third in the race, which gave him second overall in the championship.

In the Junior Max class, Edward Jones held off Sanad Al Rawahi to win the race and the Championship, thereby booking his ticket on the plane for the World Championships for the third year running.  Sanad second in the race also gave him second in the championship. Third in the race was his brother Abdullah Al Rawahi.

Andrew Fuller had already been crowned champion in the Max Master class with one round to go but the final round saw his luck run out as he failed to finish. Paul Walsh was on top form and secured maximum points ahead of Ian Prestwich.