Team UAE drivers Sanad Al Rawahi and Piers Pakenham-Walsh were the best performers on the final day of the 2015 Rotax MAX Grand Finals in Portugal, while their teammates suffered a myriad of misadventures on an action-packed last day of action at Kartodromo Internacional Algarve.
Al Rawahi started from 13th on the grid but was involved in first lap chaos, which saw him drop to near the back of the field of 34.
But he recovered well and during the second half of the race was one of the fastest drivers on track – only the winner set a quicker lap – as he powered to sixth place on Saturday for his best showing in a Grand Finals.
Al Rawahi said: “I am very pleased with this result as it is payback for the hard work we put into our racing programme. I want to thank my father for making this happen, my brother for his support, my crew who provided me with a good kart and everyone in Team UAE.”
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Pakenham-Walsh recovered from 29th on the grid, made a good start and kept out of trouble to claim a well-deserved ninth place as he slugged it out with the world’s best Rotax drivers.
The result is a just reward for the Dubai-based driver who endured a challenging time in the heat races and the pre-final, but he rose to the occasion in the best way possible.
“I can’t believe it,” said Pakenham-Walsh when he was told he finished ninth. “The engine I had was not the fastest, but I gave it all I have and am very happy to be in the top 10.”
Hungarian driver Ferenc Kancsar won the race to claim the DD2 world title.
