Like the other mornings at Ghibli Raceway in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, the competitors were greeted by warm sunshine and a light breeze. For those that come here from colder climates where it’s winter right now, the weather alone makes the trip worth it. However, we’re here to race, and after yesterday’s qualifying, today we get to see the first racing action of the week.
| The day started with the compulsory driver’s briefing followed by the morning warm ups for all three classes. For the teams this was one last chance to try a change in their setup. However, for the teams that were already running well, the warm up was just that, a chance to get out on track and make sure everything was ready to go. |  |
The first race of the morning was for Junior MAX competitors, groups A and B. On pole position after his stellar qualifying effort was the UAE’s Edward Jones. The young Mr. Jones put that #1 starting spot to good use by taking the lead on the first lap and moving away from the field for the win.
Race 1 top three:
1. Edward Jones (UAE)
2. Ukyo Sasahara (Japan)
3. Matthew Perry (United Kingdom)
Next up was Junior MAX race groups C and D where the United Kingdom’s Edward Brand was starting on pole. In the end, Edward did pull out the win but it was far from easy. After some contact on the first lap the young driver found himself in fourth place at the end of the first lap. From that point he worked his way back up front and had a great dice with his countryman, Billy Albone, along the way.
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Race 2 top three:
1. Edward Brand (United Kingdom)
2. Billy Albone (United Kingdom)
3. Jack Howard (Australia)
Race three pitted Senior MAX race groups A vs. B and saw South Africa’s Sean Frost starting on pole. However some minor shuffling saw Luke Varley (UK) get by for the lead. On lap two, Czech driver Jiri Forman put a move on Varley going into turn five to take a lead he would keep until the end.
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Race 3 top three:
1. Jiri Foreman (Czech Republic)
2. Luke Varley (United Kingdom)
3. Sean Frost (South Africa)
Senior MAX groups C and D squared off in Race #4. As a couple of the leaders tangled on lap one, it was Joey Wimsett of the Northwestern United States storming through to take the lead from the sixth starting spot. Showing he had the speed to belong there he held the front all the way to the checkered flag. The United Kingdom’s Jo Reilly put in a strong run to second after falling back to fifth on lap five.
Race 4’s top three were:
1. Joey Wimsett (United States)
2. Joseph Reilly (United Kingdom)
3. Laszlo Marton (Hungary)
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The first of the DD2 heat races started with race number five and pitted race groups A and B. On pole it was South Africa’s Ralph Odendaal. Ralph showed his speed in qualifying was no fluke as he streaked away to a victory of over two seconds. From Germany’s Denis Thum.
Race 5’s top three were:
1. Ralph Odendaal (South Africa)
2. Denis Thum (Germany)
3. Yuya Hirayama (Japan)
Completing the first round of heat races was race six for DD2 race groups C and D. Maik Barten of The Netherlands led flag to flag unchallenged for the victory. Behind him, USA’s Troy Castaneda held station in second about a half a second behind Thum. At the halfway mark, Castaneda started falling back and it was the two Christophe’s from Belgium, Raymakers and Huibers, rounding out the top three.
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Race 6 top three:
1. Maik Barten (Netherlands)
2. Christophe Raymakers (Belgium)
3. Christophe Huibers (Belgium)
After a relaxing lunch break, it was once again time for the Junior Max competitors to take to the track. This time, it was race groups A and C going head to head in Race Seven. This race belonged to the UK’s Edward Brand as he bolted from the pack to win by over two seconds.
Race 7 top three:
1. Edward Brand (United Kingdom)
2. Aavo Talvar (Estonia)
3. Raoul Owens (South Africa)
Race Eight, Junior MAX race groups B and D, saw some of the best action of the day as three drivers battled for the win for all eight laps. In the end it was Finland’s Miika Laiho prevailing for the win.
Race 8’s top three were:
1. Miika Laiho (Finland)
2. Ukyo Sasahara (Japan)
3. Kay Van Kemenade (The Netherlands)
Race nine matched up Senior MAX groups A and C. At the start it was South Africa’s Sean Frost starting on pole. But problems for Frost dropped him all the way down the grid. On lap three, the UK’s Luke Varley took over the top spot and held it to the end to back up his second place earlier in the day.
Race 9’s top three were:
1. Luke Varley (United Kingdom)
2. Mike Joosens (Netherlands)
3. Sandro Lukovic (Austria)
The last of the Senior MAX heat races for the day was race ten for race groups B and D. Estonia’s Mario Vendla led the entire race but he had to work for it as Japan’s Sotaro Mimura kept him honest with a strong run on his tail to finish just one-half second behind.
Race 10 top three:
1. Mario Vendla (Estonia)
2. Sotaro Mimura (Japan)
3. Albert Tuneu (Spain)
Yesterday when Ralph Odendaal won pole for DD2 we said he laid down the law. It is probably fitting now to say he’s the new sheriff in town since the South African ran uncontested in heat race number 11 to remain unbeaten in his heat races. Two years ago Pier-Luc Ouellette sat on pole, won all his heats then won the pre-final and final in DD2. Could we see another such dominating performance this year?
Race 11 top three:
1. Ralph Odendaal (South Africa)
2. Caleb Williams (South Africa)
3. Colombo Russell (Argentina)
The last race of the day, race number 12, pitted DD2 race groups B and D. Denis Thum served notice he was not satisfied with his second place in heat race number five by running a strong race to take victory by one-half second over New Zealand’s Ryan Urban.
Race 12 top three:
1. Denis Thum (Germany)
2. Ryan Urban (New Zealand)
3. Kevin Gracholskis (Lithuania)
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Remember to keep up to date on action at Ghibli Raceway this week through this website and www.kart-data.com. You can also become a fan of the Grand Finals on our Facebook page where you can ask questions directly about all aspects of the event.
PIT BITS
| Edward Jones (United Arab Emirates) Edward Jones is the Junior MAX representative for the United Arab Emirates. The 14-year-old was born in Dubai and has lived there all his life. When Edward was Nine, he got started in kart racing. Before that, his father, who was already a racing champion, let him practice on a 60cc cadet kart. The practice obviously paid off because Edward has won five UAE championships since he started racing five years ago. He says that Northern Ireland’s Nutts Corner is his favorite track because he ran very well there in the British Super 1 Championship. When not racing, Edward likes to spend his time working on his fitness and playing football (futbol). |  |
| Michael Cool (Belgium) Making his third appearance at the Grand Finals is Dendermonde, Belgium’s Michael Cool. He has raced in the Senior MAX class in every appearance. Michael says he does not have a favorite track but really likes the challenges that Ghibli throws at the drivers. Although his racing resume is quite impressive, Michael says he has no plans for a career in racing, preferring just to use it as a hobby to get away on weekends. While not racing, Michael works in his family’s produce business. He also enjoys going to the gym to work on fitness. But, he says, “outside of racing, work and fitness, all there is time for is sleep.” |  |
Phillip Arscott (United States of America) Portland, Oregon’s Phil Arscott is a Grand Finals veteran having competed for the USA last year at La Conca in Italy. The 20-year-old Senior MAX driver has been racing for 12 years. He says in all that time his favorite track to compete on is Shawano in Wisconsin because of all the changes in elevation. Phil says his current plans are to keep racing and develop his skills. But, he adds, a career racing in the World Rally Championship would be a lot of fun. Away from racing, Pill enjoys keeping busy by skiing, biking and playing his guitar. |  |
| Sean Frost (South Africa) Sean Frost, one of the South African Senior MAX competitors, is attending his first Grand Finals as a Grand Finals competitor and is making the most of his opportunity by placing himself on the pole position. However, this is not his first Grand Final. Back at the 2002 Championship race held at Zwartkops in South Africa, Sean took part in a support race for GP Juniors when he was eight-years-old. One of the most striking aspects when talking to the 16-year-old is how appreciative he is for the opportunity he has to be here. He says he’s been able to stay relaxed and keep himself out of trouble because his team is working so hard on his behalf. And when it comes to his team, he’s got last year’s DD2 champion, Leeroy Poulter, turning the wrenches for him. For right now, Sean says he’s really enjoying karting, but would eventually like to try a lot of different types of racing. |  |
| Hany Soufrakis (Egypt: Ghibli Raceway) Another familiar face see throughout the Ghibli paddock is that of Hany Soufrakis. Hany is the Chairman and Executive Director of Ghibli Raceway and has been in that position since the track officially opened in October of 2001. He is thrilled to have the Grand Finals back in Sharm El Sheikh and says the will is there to host them a third and fourth time. Hany says putting on the Grand Finals is a lot of work, but it’s easier the second time around because of the experience from the first time and because Ghibli is also the host to the Middle-East Championship. |  |