Monday was a day for raffling out the karts and for teams to concentrate on setting up their karts for their drivers. In our walk through the paddock, we met some interesting characters we’d like to introduce to the world.
Darrell Smith
Darrell Smith was a successful kart racer for many years in his home country of Australia when he qualified to compete on the Australian ROTAX team in South Africa for the 2002 Grand Finals. That year he was the ROTAX Masters Grand Final Champion, proving that he not only knew his way around a race track, but that he also knew what a kart needed to be competitive. As such, it was no great surprise that BRP-Rotax hired Darrell to be their official test and development driver.
Darrell also spends his time as a liaison to ROTAX distributors and attends the Grand Finals to assist teams with the proper way to set up their karts and engines. When asked what the most common problem he advises against, he said, “I’m surprised at how much some teams dis-assemble their karts. I suppose they don’t realize how well these karts are set up for them beforehand.” He then added, “If you look around and pay close attention, you’ll see that the teams that are pulling their axles out are the teams that end up struggling to make the final.” Coming from someone with Darrell’s experience, that’s sound advice.
George Dos Ramos
George Dos Ramos is a DD2 driver from Roodepoort, South Africa who is making his second trip to the Grand Finals. He feels his previous experience last year has really helped him prepare for his trip to Al Ain. “Last year in Portugal was my first time at a Grand Final and I really didn’t know what to expect. This year I have a lot more confidence.”
George also went on to say, “And this time, NO RAIN! I don’t like the rain” He mentioned that in his ten years of competitive karting, he’d only driven in the rain, “maybe three times.” So, for George Dos Ramos, Al Ain is a great location for the Grand Finals.
Kyle Lawrence
Also hailing from South Africa is Johannesburg’s Kyle Lawrence. Kyle is well aware of South Africa’s history at the ROTAX MAX Grand Finals and is going all-out to get his country’s flag back to the top of the podium. Although this is Kyle’s first trip to the Grand Finals, he says he had actually qualified high enough to make the trip to Malaysia in 2005. Unfortunately, he was too young to attend the race at that time.
Kyle has been racing karts for 12 years and currently competes in both the Max and DD2 classes. About his future, Kyle says, “For next year I have a ride lined up in a Westbank V8 Supercar in the Westbank Superseries. But, I will always run karts to keep fit and keep my skills sharp.”
Scott Campbell
Another driver making a return trip to the Grand Finals is Scott Campbell from Saskatoon, Canada. However, this is not his second, nor his third, but rather his fourth trip to the Grand Finals, making him one of the most experienced drivers in ROTAX MAX Grand Finals history. “My results keep getting better and better every year. Who knows, if a little luck goes my way this could be the year I get up on the podium.” Scott’s assessment is spot on. There’s no doubt by anyone that’s watched him run over the past few years that he has the talent to run up front. But, he’s also had some very disappointing luck that’s held him back.
Scott describes his mental attitude right now as very relaxed. “I’m quite comfortable right now. I know what to expect and I’m ready for the racing to begin,” said the likeable Canadian. Scott has raced karts for 17 years alongside his father who owns a kart shop back in Canada.
Paul Machek
Monday is the build and set-up day for all the teams in Al Ain and one item essential to proper set-up is front-end alignment. To accomplish this task, Paul Machek of Sniper is on-hand to assist the teams in using his laser alignment sytems. “Paul the Sniper Guy” hails from Perth, Australia and provides Sniper systems for all the teams to use and has become a very familiar face at all Grand Finals.
This year Sniper has brought their familiar V2 system for all MAX and Junior MAX competitors. However, for the DD2 class, they have brought the brand new V4 system that have never been seen before, effectively making the RMGF the V4’s introduction to the world market.
Paul has made recent changes to his business and now solely focuses on the Sniper brand. The association with BRP-Rotax has been very successful for Paul and freely admits, “I would not be where I’m at today with our products without our association with ROTAX. They are my biggest customer and really help promote the Sniper brand world-wide.”
ROTAX BRP