Trio Of Top Tens For Aussie Karters In Egypt

14 December 2009

Australian drivers have performed strongly in the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final Ghibli Raceway in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt to record a trio of top ten finishes at the event over the weekend.

Luke Rochford on his way to fifth place in Egypt.
(Pic: BRP-Powertrain - soa-design.com)

Victorian Luke Rochford finished as the highest placed Australian in fifth place in the Junior Max category. After starting from position 11 in the final, Rochford steered clear of a first corner incident before running near the front of the field for the 20-lap duration, before crossing the line in fifth spot.

“I am pretty happy. We were fast all weekend and I ended up fifth and that's not a bad result,” said Rochford.

“We didn't have much luck so I should be happy. It is nice to know that I was able to run as quick as the fastest Rotax guys in the world.”

Also competing in the Junior Rotax field were Queenslander Jack Howard and Sydneysider Pierce Lehane. Howard was the big mover in the final to charge his way from his 33rd starting spot to be 17th at the finish. Lehane was also running strongly inside the top ten before a last lap collision dropped him to 27th.

Japanese driver Ukyo Sasahara claimed the win ahead of United Kingdom’s Matthew Parry and Edward Brand.

Toowoomba’s Tyler Greenbury was one of the standout performers in the Senior Rotax category. Greenbury qualified third fastest before having an up and down run throughout the heats and finishing seventh in the pre-final.

In the early part of the final Greenbury was running as high as fifth but soon started to drop back with a handling issue and finished a credible eighth.

“We have been fast all week and starting off 7th for the final I thought we were in for a real good chance, but I suppose we got the setup a bit wrong and the kart was terrible and that cost us any chance of a better result,” said Greenbury.

“Anyway, that's racing and it has been a great experience.”

Australia’s other representative Nicholas Crawshay failed to make the cut for the final in the Senior Rotax category.

Queenslander Jack Howard in action at the Rotax Max Challenge
Grand Final (Pic: BRP-Powertrain - soa-design.com)

United Kingdom's Luke Varley claimed the Senior Rotax win ahead of Estonian Mario Vendla and New Zealander Matthew Hamilton.

After having to come through the last chance race to make the finals after following a dnf in the heats, Jason Pringle was due to start from 16th in the final of the DD2 catergory. However, a fuel issue in the roll-up laps forced him to start at the back of the 34-kart field.

During the 24-lap encounter Pringle charged his way up the order to find his way into a top ten finish at the chequered flag.

“When the kart stopped in the roll ups I thought "oh no, this is what happened to Rick (Pringle’s brother) last year" but luckily I was able to get it going, however, I had to start last,” said Pringle.

“I managed to pass a heap of Karts and finish 10th and it was a lot of fun in that race so I suppose it's not too bad. Now I will have to win the rankings again next year so I can come back.”

Australia’s other representative Brinley Gread drove a solid race to record 24th place finish.

South African Caleb Williams took out the DD2 category ahead of countryman Ralph Odendaal and American Cody Hodgson.

This was the 10th anniversary of the event and it has become the most prestigious World Karting event on the calendar. A total of 216 drivers were invited to compete at the World Final.

Toowoomba's Tyler Greenbury finished eighth in the Senior Rotax category
(Pic: BRP-Powertrain - soa-design.com)

Sydneysider Brinley Gread performed strongly in the DD2 class.
(Pic: BRP-Powertrain - soa-design.com)