TechnicalROTAX MAX CHALLENGE KARTING WORLD FINAL – SHARM EL-SHEIK

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Six South African karters face the daunting challenge of upholding South Africa’s enviable reputation in the ROTAX Max Challenge World Finals, taking place at the Ghibli circuit in Egypt’s popular tourist destination of Sharm El-Sheik from 20 – 24 January. 

 

Since the inception of the ROTAX Max Challenge World Finals at Puerto Rico in 2000, South Africans have won everytime.  

The only way to enter the ROTAX Max Challenge World Final is by excelling in a domestic series. The top drivers from countries around the world are invited to compete in the ROTAX Max Grand Final, held at a different venue each year. ROTAX, Bridgestone and other international sponsors cover the competitor’s costs – airfare, freight of chassis and tools, hotel, breakfast, tires, fuel, engine and oil, which makes it a very affordable exercise. 

Multiple South African karting champion, Bjorn Roos (Birel) will lead the South African team in the 2004 event, but with 68 world-class drivers attempting to qualify for 40 grid slots in the final, the three-day elimination process will be nerve wracking. Roos is well prepared for this having had previous experience in a number of European Karting Championship events. 

CRG driver Christiano Morgado displayed great determination to get to the final. Having lost a wheel whilst leading the South African RMC in September he headed off to Portugal to compete at the international ROTAX Race of Champions held at Braga in November. Although he finished 3rd in the pouring rain, he was the first driver eligible to participate in the World Final – the winner and second placed drivers are both Formula A drivers and thus do not qualify to take part in the World Final (www.korridas.com) 

Fellow Kwa-Zulu Natal driver Jonathan Pieterse and Steve Ridgway (Masters Class) are the latest additions to the team, and only made with great help from DHL Danzas who assisted with the freight of their chassis even though the cut-off date had come and gone.  

Due to the rapidly increasing popularity of the Junior Max classes around the world, the ROTAX Max Challenge World Finals has been expanded to incorporate a ROTAX Junior Max World Final. This class caters for drivers over the age of 13.  

With an abundance of unchecked teenage testosterone, the class has provided great action during the year and there is no reason why the World Finals should be any different.  

South Africa will be represented by Andre van der Merwe and Capetonian Wiaan Swart. Unlike the Max Challenge, drivers in this class will all be aboard brand new CRG Road Rebels (world karting champions 2001/2/3) fitted with ROTAX FR125 Junior MAX engines supplied free of charge. The driver’s father’s (or mechanic’s) airfare and hotel is also paid for by the organizers. 

The ROTAX MAX Challenge is a unique one make formula using identical sealed ROTAX FR125 MAX engines. Modern technology (digital ignition, nikasil cylinder, balance shaft, exhaust power valve, water cooling, etc.) has made it possible to deliver high performance and set new standards of reliability. The six months warranty is also a first on racing engines! Safety is also vastly enhanced with an electric start and automatic clutch.  

When Rotax designed the motor, environmental concerns were also taken into account and as a result the motor has low noise and exhaust gas emissions.  

Bridgestone specially developed the YGK tires for exclusive use in this category. Internationally and locally Bridgestone have partnered the ROTAX MAX Challenge from the outset. The brand of chassis is the driver’s choice. Setup and driver skill is what counts.  

The Sporting and Technical Regulations of the ROTAX MAX Challenge are CIK/FIA approved making this the only international karting category in South Africa. Many South African drivers have participated in the world finals (2000 – Puerto Rico, 2001 – Langkawi, 2002 – South Africa) with great success. National Colours have been awarded to several South Africans based on their success at these events. 

Racing at this level has become incredibly competitive locally and with 50 countries running the ROTAX MAX Challenge, it gets more difficult every year.