Gunskirchen, Austria, February 03, 2005 - BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG., one of the leading engine manufacturers in the world, announces the successful closing of this year's Grand Finals of the worldwide ROTAX® Max Challenge 2004 kart racing series. This year's Grand Finals, taking place from January 19 - 22, 2005, were held at the Gran Karting Club, a modern kart racing facility in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain, operated by KORRIDAS e Komphania (authorised distributor for Portugal and Spain). As in the previous years, this exciting event generated huge media interest and attracted a big crowd of spectators.
The winners of the 2004 ROTAX Max Challenge Grand Finals are:
| 1st place: |
Wesleigh ORR, South Africa |
| 2nd place: |
Cristiano MORGADO, South Africa |
| 3rd place: |
Tristam OMAN, United Kingdom |
The two best drivers of the Junior Class at the Grand Finals, who will be invited to the RED BULL Drivers Search Qualifying Weekend in Estoril/Portugal, are:
| 1st place: |
Benjamin SALVATORE, France |
| 2nd place: |
Adam CHRISTODOULOU, United Kingdom |
"The Grand Finals have been named many times the 'Olympics of Karting' and we are very proud to see the world's most talented drivers compete against each other at this great event" said Yves Leduc, Vice President and General Manager of BRP-Rotax. "The pilots have shown outstanding driving performances thus making this event a great showcase for our products," he added.
The ROTAX Max Challenge is the fastest growing kart race class in the world. Authorised BRP-Rotax kart distributors organise national competitions in 40 countries around the world. The best drivers from all national ROTAX Max Challenges qualify for the annual Grand Finals.
The power packs used for the races are sealed ROTAX FR 125 Junior MAX engines as well as ROTAX RM1® karts. Modifications to the engines or the RM1 karts are strictly forbidden.
History:
| Event |
No. of Drivers |
Local Organizer |
| 5th Grand Final Lanzarote 2004 |
98 |
Gran Karting Club,
KORRIDAS e Komphania |
| 4th GF Egypt 2003 |
92 |
Ghibli Raceway |
| 3rd GF South Africa 2002 |
75 |
Ed Murray |
| 2nd GF Malayasia 2001 |
70 |
Mofaz |
| 1st GF Puerto Rico 2000 |
68 |
Raceway |
Other important upcoming events:
- Euro Challenge 2005:
25. - 27.3. at Salbris/ France
27. - 29.5. at PF International Raceway/ UK
29. - 31.7. at A1 Speed World/ Austria
16. - 18.9. in Genk/Belgium
The overall winner in the Junior class will be also be invited to the RED BULL Drivers Search Qualifying Weekend in Estoril/Portugal.
- Asia Challenge 2005:
Organized by our Malaysian distributor with other ROTAX distributors in the area in 3 classes for all Asian and Oceania countries.
The best 2 drivers of each class will be invited to the Grand Finals 2005; the overall winner in the Junior class will also be invited to the RED BULL Drivers Search Qualifying Weekend in Estoril/Portugal.
- PAN AMERICA Challenge 2006
Plan to introduce this Challenge in 2005, latest 2006, for whole America including Carribean (it's ok).
BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG is an affiliate of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.(BRP), a world leader in design, development, manufacturing, distribution and marketing of Sea-Doo® watercraft and sport boats, Ski Doo® and LynxTM snowmobiles, Johnson® and Evinrude® outboard marine engines, direct injection technologies such as Evinrude E-TECTM, Bombardier* all-terrain vehicles (ATV), RotaxTM engines and karts.
®, TM Trademark of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its subsidiaries.
* Trademark of Bombardier Inc. used under license.
Photo 1
Photo 2
For more information:
Elisabeth Ruschak
P.R. & Communications
BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
(43) 7246 601 202 / elisabeth.ruschak@brp.com
www.brp.com
www.rotax.com
Detailed information about the ROTAX Max Challenge can be found on
www.maxchallenge-rotax.com
Information about the revolutionary ROTAX Kart RM1 can be found on
www.rm1-kart.com