Rick
11-30-2007, 04:15 PM
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Today's final qualifying heat and Last Chance Qualifier races at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, located at the Al Ain Raceway in Dubai, were filled with action and, for some, there was heartache for America's Team Presented by Mazda. Seven drivers qualified for spots in Saturday's Prefinal and Final action, while three team members saw their on-track action halted after Friday's efforts.
The highlight of the day was the last Senior qualifying heat where Arie Ouimet became the first American to win a heat race at the Grand Finals. Ouimet started the race in fifth and slowly worked himself to third at the checkered flag. The top two finishing drivers were penalized, moving Ouimet up to P1 in the classification. With the win, Ouimet will now start the Prefinal fr! om the ninth row. Also in the same heat, Mike Giessen, who suffered a bad opening heat race, had his best performance with a fifth place finish. Unfortunately, he still needed to run the LCQ to garner a position in the Prefinal. Reigning US Grand Nationals champion Thiago Parazinho had difficulties in the same race - finishing 28th - dropping him to 29th in the Heat Classifications, putting him on the pole for the LCQ.
A very impressive result!
Today's final qualifying heat and Last Chance Qualifier races at the Rotax Max Challenge Grand Finals, located at the Al Ain Raceway in Dubai, were filled with action and, for some, there was heartache for America's Team Presented by Mazda. Seven drivers qualified for spots in Saturday's Prefinal and Final action, while three team members saw their on-track action halted after Friday's efforts.
The highlight of the day was the last Senior qualifying heat where Arie Ouimet became the first American to win a heat race at the Grand Finals. Ouimet started the race in fifth and slowly worked himself to third at the checkered flag. The top two finishing drivers were penalized, moving Ouimet up to P1 in the classification. With the win, Ouimet will now start the Prefinal fr! om the ninth row. Also in the same heat, Mike Giessen, who suffered a bad opening heat race, had his best performance with a fifth place finish. Unfortunately, he still needed to run the LCQ to garner a position in the Prefinal. Reigning US Grand Nationals champion Thiago Parazinho had difficulties in the same race - finishing 28th - dropping him to 29th in the Heat Classifications, putting him on the pole for the LCQ.
A very impressive result!