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Comment by Graeme Moore on December 31, 2009 at 1:18pm

The Kinsman's Egyptian Experience: Rotax Max Grand Finals 2009

No trip to Egypt can be complete without visiting what Egypt is best known for, the mighty Pyramids of course, so a day in Cairo on our agenda before proceeding to Sharm El Sheikh.



Cairo, a city of over 25 million a truly inconceivable number of inhabitants until you get there. The tourist web sites telling us we would either love or loath the experience and for most it was the latter but also an experience not to be missed. After the long journey from NZ and arriving at the end of the annual pilgrimage the arrival into Cairo was daunting. The airport of true 3rd world standard the first surprise, the bustle before we even got to immigration immense, fortunately we had booked a guide.
Amr quickly arranged our visas, and we were on our way to the Hotel by the Nile. Thursday night traffic is as bad as it gets in Cairo with Friday Saturday their weekend. The drive taking approx 40 minutes will never be forgotten, as Amr explained Egyptian traffic to be the modern wonder of Egypt. Road lanes are just for decoration and translated the various and constant tooting, which would be heard all night long.

Our guide the next morning was booked from the web site and was a real treasure taking us to see what we wanted and sparing us the normal touristy hassles, at a reasonable cost.




Day two in Egypt and we are keen to get to Sharm El Sheikh and check out the track of course. A pleasant surprise was the domestic airport, wonderfully clean and new. We had about 38 kilos of excess luggage for this part of the journey but were lucky to not have to pay.
Got ripped off with the Taxi in true tourist tradition, a good lesson learned for the rest of the week, and all part of the experience!

Hotel Concorde Sharm El Sheikh
As in Cairo who needs an alarm clock when the mosques with their loud speakers call prayers 5 times a day starting from 4.45 am with a combination of prayer and song! At least in Sharm we are not quite as close to the mosques as in Cairo.
It was a great surprise to learn the rental karts for the next two days would be available to run on the full circuit, of course Michael and Tony (uncle) also had a go so they could offer some “advise to Daniel”. Daniel posted the fastest time of the day so that was a nice confidence booster.
Registration was a breeze, Ian Love had all the paper work in order for us and to learn the next day he had passed away was an immense sad feeling for the whole team as we reminisced of our memories realising the loss and recognising all that Ian and Lynn have been doing for our sport.


It was a good feeling when Dan drew kart number 31, the sight of 216 brand new karts lined up just awesome. The rest of the day is spent checking the assembly of the kart and fitting the seat and stays etc.

The Kiwi Pit site decorated.
Every one was looking forward to getting onto the track the next day.
We have made friends with some of the Dutch and have got a friendly taxi van booked for the week in the mornings so we are spared the bartering and know we will get to the track safe and on time in a good mood. The ride home is always a haggle about the price all the way back, even thought we negotiate a price or so we think before getting in. All part of their way of doing business.
The kiwis are the only ones respecting the engines with several laps running in, as all the others just seem to go hard out the gate, but we figure it is worth looking after the engine!
As we follow the known talents of Vincent Jewel, Edward Brand and Euro Champ Josh Webster we were pleasantly surprised to see Daniel setting the pace, and getting to know the chassis before we came over appears to have been worth while.
Second day of practise and Dan sets the second fastest time in group 1, so perhaps we were lulled into a bit of a false sense of confidence................. in hindsight.
Fiona Hamilton is doing a great job keeping every one up to date on face book and it is nice knowing there is a following back home.
Qualifying day sees us go backwards rather than forwards when mounting the new tyres. So qualifying 31st didn’t have the same lucky feel as drawing kart 31, this was not the number pattern we wanted to be stuck with.

Lots of changes after this (lowering seat, and tyre pressures) sees us back on the pace again in the warm up the next morning (fastest in group 1) and realise we missed an important opportunity yesterday. Our Qualifying position sees us start on row 8 of the grid. Getting around the first corner is problematic in all the races, Daniel goes backwards at the starts but comes thru to finish 7th in heat one and 5th in heat two.
Heat 3 will be the following morning.
We knew this would-be tricky, on the outside again and some desperate moves to be expected by those who needed a huge performance to try and secure an automatic pre final position. Daniel missed the action in front but unable to do anything about the commotion coming from behind so a bit unlucky and finished a disappointing 28th.

We were pleased to learn he was in the prefinal on the inside of row 9 (Grid 17)
For the pre-final every one gets a new set of tyres and we didn’t get the set up quite right....
Pre-final and final races were true battles moving 2 places forward and five back at times, during the final Daniel moved up to 9th and was about to make a move for 8th when he got passed and shuffled back to 15th. Finishing a creditable 13th in the world, we feel we were capable of better but still pleased with many aspects of our performance.
The experience has been wonderful, the organisation of “the racing” event at Ghibli flawless and thanks must go to Right Karts for providing New Zealanders with this opportunity, we would recommend the sporting experience and are keen to participate again.

We had a great time with the New Zealand Group and we had a great “team feeling” with lots of laughs along the way. The highlight being Matthew Hamiltons 3rd in Senior Rotax and the Team NZ 3rd in the Nations Cup a sweet surprise.

Comment by Graeme Moore on December 16, 2009 at 3:17am

Official Full Last Day Report From Rotax International HERE

Comment by Graeme Moore on December 15, 2009 at 6:55pm

Comment by Graeme Moore on December 15, 2009 at 6:48pm

KARTSPORT NEW ZEALAND
Media information
For immediate release

2009 Gen-i Kartstars Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand
Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final
Ghibli Raceway
Sharm El-Sheikh
Egypt
06-12 December
2009

13-12-09

EVENT REPORT # 1

HAMILTON THIRD AT ROTAX MAX GRAND CHALLENGE KART MEETING IN EGYPT

Christchurch karter Matthew Hamilton was the best finishing member of the four-strong New Zealand contingent at this year's Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final meeting at Ghibli Raceway in Egypt, finishing third in the Senior class behind Great Britain's Luke Varley and Mario Vendla of Estonia.

This year's Grand Final meeting was the 10th consecutive one organised by Austrian engine manufacturer Rotax and finished with Pre-Final and Final races for the DD2 (two-speed), Senior and Junior classes on Saturday.

Hamilton's result equals New Zealand's best performance at the annual Grand Final meeting, that of Wanganui's Earl Bamber in the Junior class in 2004. And it helps make up for the heartbreak the now 25-year-old experienced at the second annual Grand Final in Malaysia back in 2001 when he was in a position to win the Senior Final before his kart's chain seized.

This year's Junior representative, Daniel Kinsman, earned the next best finish this year - 13th - with fellow Aucklander Ryan Urban 30th in the DD2 class and Dunedin's Paul Booth eliminated in the DD2 repecharge.

Ends

Prepared by FAST COMPANY on behalf of the 2009 Gen-i Kartstars Rotax Max Challenge of New Zealand. To find out more about the annual Challenge contact Ross MacKay on 021 677 919 or via e-mail onross@fastcompany.co.nz

Comment by Graeme Moore on December 15, 2009 at 6:48pm

Tony C Reports:
HAve had majors trying to get this report through since leaving sharm, now that im home i can send it, 3 days late!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


NZ Rotax Max world finals team
Sharm El Sheik - Egypt
Finals day

After a week of build up with practice, qualification and heats the finals day had finally arrived. 3 of the 4 kiwi drivers had made it though to the finals day, a huge effort in itself. Another hot winters day dawned in Sharm El Sheik, the pits now looking like a ghost town as half the drivers were eliminated the previous day.

Daniels Pre-final was a frustrating one with him being caught in the thick of torrid and mostly untidy battles. He finished the pre-final in 15th position. Dan was obviously not happy with both the driving standard of those around him and the kart set-up. Main complaint was a lack of rear grip on the new tyre so a seat movement was made. His final started well with him making it through the first few laps unscathed. The kart took a while to come on and in that time Dan got hustled round a little, making 2 places forward then loosing 3 from once again, other drivers and over-zealous passing manoeuvres. It was like this right to the last corner with him driving through the last turn 3-4 wide, all drivers battling for 11th place. Daniel crossing the line in 13th place, although not a 100% happy with his position it was a great effort in what is the hardest Junior kartsport class in the world.

Mathew continued his faultless run with a strong run forward to finish his pre-final in 3rd position, not an easy drive as Matt worked hard to get there and earned every last piece of track to claim his 3rd spot. Main complaints from Matt were a lack of top-end which could only be fixed by leaning of the main jet, as we were already on the leanest aloud a float height change was made. His final started clean with Matt getting to the lead for a number of laps, the kiwi team were hanging off the fence, it was great. He battled hard and got shuffled back to 3rd were he ran for a long time until the chasing Austrian driver made his move. He passed Matt and gaped him in a matter of laps, Matt had no answer and settled for 4th. At the end of race the Austrian driver was found to be under weight handing 3rd place to Mathew, the team were ecstatic. A great effort from team Hamilton, a class act amongst the worlds best.

Ryans pre-final was the last to run and with all of the team watching on we had high hopes for another top 6. This was very short lived with Ryan's race ending at turn two with one of the Canadian drivers running Ryan up the exit curb and then some, driving up and over Ryan's engine ripping the air box apart. Ryan limped back to the pits covering the carb with his hand, his slumped head said a thousand words. After purchasing a new air box half and checking over everything it was finals time. A huge ask off the back but we had nothing to lose. He made a clean start and gained a handful of places within the first couple of corners. It all came to a halt when the field banked up with 3 karts coming together over the back half of the circuit. This left Ryan nowhere to go but take avoiding action and spin. Once he got going again he made good time and started to make his way back through the field but this was halted by a sticking throttle which was caused by dust and sand in the throttle cable inner from the off-track excertion at the start. He carried on for a few laps but it became to dangerous, the right hand tie rod was also bent from contact. He retired within a handful of laps finishing 30th overall.

The end of the day the team was called to stand on the podium and receive there 3rd place in the nations cup, a great honour and a proud kiwi moment to see out silver fern emblazed suits standing up there while the rest of the team yelled and screamed and waved our flag with pride. Well done boys, You had a hard road but you done Kartsport NZ proud, you presented yourselves well all week, drove with respect even when it was not given and handed your karts back to the manufactures in top condition.

The NZ team would like to thank all there family's who travelled with them and everyone back home for all there messages of support, it means a lot when your competing that far from home. Fiona Hamilton for her help with these press releases and the facebook site. Right Karts and the NZ Rotax distributor network for there support of the Rotax Max Challenge. Kartsport NZ, mykart.co.nz, John Lennox, Graham Moore and Ross Mackay. And the big thanks and fond memory's to Ian Love, his international experience and advice, help with sorting the drivers visas and he massive contribution to Kartsport NZ. You will be sadly missed Ian and we dedicate our 3rd place in the nations cup to your memory. Our best wishes and thoughts go to you Lyn and thank you for all your hard work you also put in.

Comment by Gavin Bright on December 12, 2009 at 11:09am

Hi Everyone,
Daniel off 17 in the Pre Final
Matt off 9
Ryan off 12
All three have pretty fast lap times so if they can stay out of trouble they will (and need) to move forward
NZ times are
Pre Final (Sat) Final (Sunday)
Jnr 9.10pm 12.10am
Snr 9.45pm 1.10am
DD2 10.20pm 2.10am
The team want to thank everyone for the support and the emails etc on the facebook page!
Cheers

Comment by Niki Urwin on December 12, 2009 at 8:50am

I find it depends what browser you look at the page with. If I use google crome on the website it doesnt work. When I use dirty old windows internet explorer from 2006 it works sweet. I used both these on the same computer.

Comment by Graeme Moore on December 12, 2009 at 6:50am

NZ Rotax Max world finals team
Sharm El Sheik - Egypt
Day 4

For the ever popular NZ team today was D day, to qualify for the pre-final or not to qualify...........A 3rd heat and for the unlucky ones the last chance race would determine this. As another hot day arouse the kiwi team were in high spirits.

Daniels heat started the worst way possible with him being driven over while trying to settle into position at the start, putting Dan into a half spin and dropping many places. As he worked his way back through the field this proceeded to happen another two times with Dan making clean, full passing moves on people only to be driven over by the freight training driver behind. After all the drama Daniel finished the heat in 29th giving him a grid 17 start for the pre-final. With his best lap only 0.0800 off the quickest he is in with a good chance.

Mathew had the complete opposite with barnstormer of a drive up to 4th then 3rd at the end of the race. Late in the race Matt made some good ground up on the eventual winner Mike Joossens from the Netherlands. After his good run in the heats Matt is starting the pre-final from grid 9..........a good luck sign for sure.

Paul's final heat in DD2 started very well with him getting inside the top 20 within the first lap after avoiding a first corner accident. He ran here for a good half the race but got shuffled back by a few heavy passes and ended the race in 22nd place. After Paul's heat results he was to go through to the last chance race were only the top 6 place finishers would proceed though to the pre-final. His starting grid would be 25, always going to be a hard ask. He had a great start and got inside the top 20 but after avoiding some contact in front of him he ended up finishing close to were he started in 24th position. Paul run at the world finals had come to an end but in Paul and fathers Peters own words "What an unbelievable event and we defiantly want to come back"

Ryan had a carbon copy heat to Daniels with him being straight lined up into turn 2 at the start of the heat. As he started to make his way back through dropped a wheel off through the fast infield chicane and lost a position. In his own words he said he needed to calm down, relax and get on with the job again. This he did and made his way back up to 15th position from the back. At the time of sending this the pre-final grids for the DD2 were on hold because of driving infringements and tech issues.


Kind Regards

Tony Chambers

Comment by Graeme Moore on December 11, 2009 at 10:03pm

NZ Rotax World finals team
Sharm El Shiek - Egypt
Day 3.

Another perfect day weather wise for day 3 of the Rotax Max Grand Finals here in Egypt. The boys all started with a 15 min warm up.

Matthew and Daniel where the first out on track in their respective classes and after a few set up changes overnight came out on top in their groups placing them both about 5th fastest overall in their respective classes.

Ryan and Paul then followed with Ryan being fastest in his group and Paul steadily improving his times. After all of the boys had completed their warm-ups with no troubles we where looking forward to the racing.

Two heats were to follow for each of the boys and below is a quick summary of the placings.

Daniel having qualified 31st started on row 9 for the two races. Race one he claimed 7th place and in race 2 5th after having been pushed down to 18th at the start. A good drive and 3rd quickest time of the race sets him up well for tomorrow.

Matthew started on row 6 of the grid and had a terrible first corner being turned around on the outside. He managed to get away quickly and made his way back from 25th to 9th by the finish. In the second race again there was trouble at the start after he was pushed from behind down the inside into the first corner. After finally managing to stop he worked his way back up to 8th then was driven over while trying to miss someone else's accident and finally made his way back to 11th.

Paul started both of his DD2 races from the rear of the field and improved in the first race to 26th position after gaining 8 spots at the start. In the second race he drove consistently to finish which is definitely a feat in its self.

Ryan had 2 fantastic races finishing the first in 4th place and then improving to finish 2nd in his second. Ryan looks very strong and the 3rd race tomorrow should be exciting.

For the boys tomorrow brings one warm-up, the final heat and the repercharge if needed.

New Zealand is looking strong and we appreciate all the support from back home.

Remember to check out the live timing, facebook and all the other information portals provided for this event

Kind Regards

Tony Chambers
P // +6427 227 3048
E // tc.nz@hotmail.com

Comment by Chris Appleton on December 11, 2009 at 10:29am

Heaps of black flags during heats - Tyler Greenbury (Aus) went from pole to around 26th on first corner - sounded a bit bumpy!!! Drivers strictly black flagged for jumping start

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