Brothers Bring Rotax Battle to Auckland

Brothers Bring Rotax Battle to Auckland

Brothers Daniel and Mathew Kinsman bring their season-long battle for Gen-i KartStars Rotax Max Challenge honours to the penultimate series round in Auckland this weekend, the pair currently first and second equal respectively in the premier Right Karts 125cc Rotax Max Light class points standings.

Defending Lights class title holder Daniel, 18, has won two of the four rounds of this season's series but Round 2 winner Daniel Connor and Round 3 winner Mathew Kinsman, 21, are tied for second just 10 points back.

Add in former New Zealand representative Kane Taylor, always a factor at his home track and currently fourth in the class points standings, and you have the prospect of a four-way battle for class honours.

Over 60 competitors from all over the country are entered for this weekend's Gen-i Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand, the incentive a place on the New Zealand team heading to the 13th annual Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final meeting at Portimao in Portugal between November 28 and December 01.

This year there are four spots available, one each for the winner and runner-up in the Lights class, one for the winner of the Junior class and one for the top Masters (over 32 yrs) finisher in the Heavy class.

Series organizer Right Karts has also put up $600 cash this weekend for with $200 going to the quickest qualifier in each class.

Lineup-wise, the big news in the Arai Helmets Formula Junior class is that series points leader Scott Manson has been cleared to compete this weekend despite injuring his left knee in a tangle in the Final at the Te Puke round last month.

Initial thoughts were that he might have to miss this weekend's series round but he has been declared fit and will be on the grid to defend his class series points lead from current runner-up Josh Drysdale from Palmerston North and Te Puke round winner CJ Sinclair from Auckland.

Also back to full fitness after struggling with a heavy dose of the flu at Te Puke is Strata Networks 125cc Rotax Max Heavy class points leader Zach Zaloum from the Hawke's Bay. Heading into this weekend's round he has a 31 point lead over Te Puke round winner Shane Hodgson with last year's class winner Aarron Cunningham a further two point back in third.

Finally, in the Masters category it is former runner-up and New Zealand representative Niki Urwin who is in front heading into the weekend, the Tauranga paraplegic who drives a specially adapted kart with hand controls for the throttle and brake, four points up on Stewart Marshall with fellow Aucklander Steven Currie third a further three points back.

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