While he still may be on a high from his victory at the final round of the CIK-FIA Under 18 World Karting Championship, Joseph Mawson says he’s relaxed ahead of this week’s Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final in Portugal.
After finishing runner-up in the Junior Max category last year, the 16 year-old says that he’s relaxed and confident of another strong result this weekend.
“I’m trying to come into the weekend as relaxed as possible and not put too much pressure on myself in order to perform as best that I can,” said Mawson.
“Last year in Al Ain was an amazing experience, it was only my second overseas race, so I was still learning a lot. now with a number of European races I’m really forward to the races later in the week and have more of an idea what to expect.
“Bahrain was an amazing event, it is a bit different to this one, this is a bit more like an Olympics with so many drivers and teams from all around the world. We’ve got a close-knit Australian team and I’m sure we’ll all be helping each other to get the best results we can. The competition is going to be extremely tough and I can’t wait to take to the circuit.”
Mawson will be joined by fellow Sydney driver Pierce Lehane, who finished third at La Conca (Italy) in the Junior Max category, and Victorian Daniel Rochford on the grid in the Senior Max category.
A pair of Victorians, Thomas Randle and James Golding, along with New South Welshman Joseph Burton-Harris will fly the Australian flag this week in the Junior ranks.
Three of Australia’s most experienced kart racers – Jason Pringle, Kyle Ensbey and Troy Woolston – will be competing in the DD2 category with Brent Coghlan, Hamish Leighton and Jose Ruiz Australia’s representatives in the DD2 Masters field.
The event will see 276 drivers from 60 countries vying for victory competing in identical equipment. Competitors on the junior ranks will be competing aboard the Birel chassis while competitors in the Senior Max category will line up in the Sodi kart chassis, Mach 1 is the chassis chosen for the DD2 category while Mach 1 chassis will be supplied to competitors in the DD2 Masters category.
Australia is the current holder of the Nations Cup, having won the prestigious title at the corresponding event at Al Ain (UAE) last year. With a combined total of 14 National championships among the Australian contingent, hopes are high for another top results this week.
To follow all of the action on Australia’s contingent at the event please visit www.karting.net.au
