Team UK Heads to Brazil for RMCGF
The Rotax Max Challenge grand finals are kicking off in Brazil, so lets take a look at the runners and riders that have qualified from the UK
Max Edmundson – Mini Max
Our sole driver in the Mini Max class, after finishing 3rd in the Super One series this year. Max has been consistently quick during the season, but will have to re-adapt to a mini chassis which is used for mini max internationally. He will also have to get used to a big grid again, as 36 drivers will contest the mini max class, compared to the 16 at super one this year.
Kai Hunter – Junior Max
Kai was faced with the prospect of not getting to the grand finals for quiet a portion of the season. He could only manage 4th in the Super One Series, and with nothing on offer for a win at the British Kart Grand Prix, Kai had to think outside of the box. But ended up outside of the continent. He made his way over to Canada for the Canadian Open, where he could qualify if he took the win outright. Hunter didn’t disappoint as the heavens opened and produced a champions drive to finish 13 seconds clear of the rest of the field at the chequered flag. A similar performance in Brazil could cement his place as one of the best drivers in the world.
Ben Burgess – Junior Max
Ben qualified through Super One, 6th overall was enough to see him get his ticket to the finals. Ben was looking strong towards the latter part of the season, but couldn’t stitch the results together earlier in the year to get into the top 5. A win at the Grand finals would surely be the momentum he needs for a title run next season.
Samuel Harrison – Junior Max
Similar to Burgess, Harrison qualified through the Super One Series. Sam was a consistent front runner this season, but didn’t quite have the pace to stick with the front runners. Sam finished the 9th overall, which a solid result considering the drivers who finished behind him in the standings.
Myles Barthorpe – Junior Max
Myles won the Mini max class at Super One this season to earn his ticket to Brazil. His age has forced him to move up to the Junior class, which puts him right in the firing line of some of the UK’s top competition. Most of the Team UK lads have been racing against each other all year, Myles will have to figure them out extremely quickly when he gets to Brazil.
Lewis Gilbert – Junior Max
Gilbert finished 2nd in the BNL trophy, and has been on a role recently. He had an extremely strong showing at the Iame International final, loosing the win thanks to a nose cone penalty. He will be hoping that he can repeat his performance from Le Mans, just without the time penalty at the end.
Bradley Barrett – Senior Max
Another last minute qualifier, Barrett made the trip out to the US to compete in the Rotax International Open in New Jersey. A 2nd place finish was enough to hand him a ticket to the grand finals. Barrett has been on the pace at pretty much every circuit and class that he has raced in this year, so expect him to be at the front of the field on race day.
Rhys Hunter – Senior Max
3rd in the Super One series wasn’t quite enough to see Rhys Hunter to Brazil. He has been there or there abouts throughout the season. So he joined his brother making the trip to the Canadian Open, where a dominant display in the rain saw him take the win by just over 24 seconds, and with it a place at the grand finals. Both the Hunter Brothers have been quick all year, but waited until the last second to get the job done.
Charlie Turner – Senior Max
Charlie won the Super One series in the Senior Max class. Turner claimed the title at the final round from Joe Turney at PFi. He has been consistently quick, not only in the Rotax class but also the Iame class. He competed at the Iame International finals and had a strong showing there. Will be he able to get the job done in Brazil?
Mark Kimber – Senior Max
Kimber secured his place at the BNL Golden Trophy at Genk just a few weeks ago. Kimber has been a force to be reckoned with in pretty much anything he has driven against any competition. Expect him to be in the mix come finals day.
James Lowther – Senior Max
James has rose through the ranks extremely quickly over the last few seasons, taking the Junior Max title at Super One level. Because of his age (16) he is too old to compete in the Juniors at an international level, so has been forced to move up to seniors for the grand finals.
With quite a few seasoned drivers and some on their first grand finals, team UK really does stand a chance at causing an upset on finals day.
Image: Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals
