RGMMC Paddock Magazine

Date:
Distance:
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Orientation:
28 MAR – 3 APR
1.360 metres
13/76
57.3 sec
clockwise
Start
Over 50 junior drivers will start at Genk, fighting for the
first points of the season. Adam Smalley (Coles Racing)
could play a leading role in this category. After winning
the Winter Cup, the British youngster belongs to the top
favourites. Same applies to his fellow countryman Tom
Canning (KR Sport) who finished second at Valencia. But
there are many more top drivers such as Axel Charpentier
or Mark Kimber (both Strawberry Racing) who look back
on a strong 2015 season in the Euro Challenge. Yet these
candidates only mark a fraction of the large grid, which
surely will come up with some surprising twists in the end.
A great show is expected in the senior category. Over
40 drivers are heading for the European crown this year.
But the grid not only impresses with its quantity. Drivers’
quality is extremely high too and represents the best of
international ROTAX racing. First to mention is Rinus van
Kalmthout (Daems Racing): The reigning vice champion of
the Euro Challenge is ready for the big hit this year and surely
will not be satisfied with the runner-up role again. Yet the
Dutchman will not have a walk-over. Winter Cup winner
Nicolas Schoell (Strawberry Racing) from Austria or the
Turkish top driver Berkay Beslar (Bouvin Power) will give
him a hard time. Then there is another name one should
keep an eye on: Jack McCarthy (Strawberry Racing) from
the UK. The reigning European junior champion will debut
in the senior class, challenging the established drivers and
as the past has proven, the youngsters are always good
for a surprise. The listing of favourites could go on endlessly
but finally we have to wait and see what the season
start really comes up with.
The DD2 category promises a lot of action, too. With
around 40 drivers the grid is well-stocked and consists
of designated top drivers of ROTAX gearbox karting. The
man to be beaten certainly is titleholder Ferenc Kancsar
(VPDR). The Hungarian switched the team and is now racing
for the successful squad of VPDR. The new combination
still has to prove its power but should not be underestimated
at all. Kancsar’s hardest opponent could be
Edward Brand (CRG SPA). The Brit finished fourth in the
senior category of the 2015 Euro Challenge, now stepping
up to the DD2, where he already proved his skills by winning
the Winter Cup at Valencia. Alongside there is Brand’s
teammate Luka Kamali (CRG SPA). The German not only
convinced by some strong Euro Challenge races in 2015
but even took the title in his domestic RMC championship.
The Swiss Kevin Ludi (Spirit Racing) is another quick man
to be mentioned, always convincing with top results and
consistency. Austria’s Constantin Schoell (Daems Racing),
Finland’s Ville Viiliainen (VRT), Spain’s Dalmau Caballero
Oriol or Britain‘s Barrie Pullinger (Dan Holland Racing) are
some more prominent and successful names completing
the circle of favourites.
As for the Masters classification, the former champions
Christophe Adams (GKS Lisette Power) from France and
Martin Pierce (Uniq Racing) from Ireland aim to take another
title. But they have to watch out for Slawomir Muranski
(Wyrzykowski Motorsport). The driver from Poland impressed
at the Winter Cup, when he not only won the
Masters category but finished third on the podium in
the overall grid of the DD2 class. Eventually it could be
time for a female champion: Tamsin Germain (DG Racing)
is ready for another successful Euro Challenge season
which may finally bring the total victory for the British
racing lady.
The 2016 season of the ROTAX MAX Euro Challenge
promises a highly balanced level of competition and most
thrilling race action in each category. At last, Genk will
unveil the first pacemakers and everyone is invited to
join the event live. More information regarding reports,
photos, results and live TV stream are available on
the official websites www.rotaxmaxeurochallenge.com or
www.telemundi.com.
To the media: Text and photos are of charge for editorial
use. If you need more information or further photos please
have a look at our website www.rotaxmaxeurochallenge.com
or contact us at info@rgmmc.com.
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