MALAYSIAN CHALLENGERS: Freddy (right) poses with other members of the Malaysian team during the opening ceremony.
KUCHING: It was another enriching experience for international go-karter Freddy Lawan at the recent 13th Rotax Max Challenge World Grand Finals in Portugal although he failed to make the finals.
The sole racer from Sarawak crashed out of the heats where 72 racers were bidding to qualify for 32 spots in the final of the 125 Max Senior DD2 at Kartodrome International Do Algarve, Portimao.
“I was virtually pushed out of the race as another racer bumped into the rear of my machine (No. 337) at a high speed corner which forced me off the track,” he said.
It was lucky that the chassis and engine of his go-kart was alright while two other Malaysians suffered heavy damages in similar incidents.
Freddy said the young racers in his category especially the Europeans were very rough and aggressive and they were racing bumper to bumper at a very fast pace.
He was supposed to be competing in the 125 Max DD2 Masters race but the organiser of the Rotax Max Malaysian Challenge and Asia Max Challenge had entered him for the Senior race.
“This was rather unfair to me as I was put to race with younger racers,” he pointed out, saying that he only knew of this when he reached Portugal.
In the resort city of Portimao, Freddy did not only have to fight the young guns but also battle a very cold weather and a very tricky track.
He also failed to get enough sleep as his roommate’s snoring disturbed him.
According to Freddy, there were four other Malaysian participants and a number of other Asians competing in the grand prix finals but only one Japanese racer Ukyo Sasahara finished in ninth spot of the 125 Max Senior in the finals.
The 125 Max DD2 Senior race was won by Canadian Ben Cooper while coming in second and third respectively were Konstantins Calko of Latvia and Mathias Detige of Belgium.
European racers dominated all other categories and the rest of the Malaysians were Chen Jet Choong who also competed along Freddy, Daniel Adam Woodroof and Syazwan Mohd Noor in the Max Junior, and Nik Azri Nik Hamdan in Rotaxmax Senior.
Freddy said the Europeans were dominant because they were used to the cold weather and it was a disadvantage for racers from Asia especially for those from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia.
“I feel proud to qualify for the grand prix finals for the second time and I am very happy to be given the opportunity to be there again to race against the world’s best,” he said, adding that he paid for his own expenses and that of his three-man crew.
“I hope the Ministry of Social Development can assist me in lightening some of my burden,” Freddy said.
He had qualified for the grand prix finals in Egypt four years ago but also crashed out of the race due to an accident.
A total of 276 racers from over 60 countries including Portugal, Spain, Holland, Denmark, Germany, Russia, Lithuania, United Kingdom, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Indonesia took part in the grand prix finals from Nov 28 to Dec 1.
The next edition will be held in New Orleans in the US.
“I will try to qualify for the grand prix finals again next year as long as my fitness allows me. My dream to compete and finish among the top is still strong.
To me, this is the sport I like and I am still very passionate about it. It is fast and exciting and keeps my adrenalin pumping and running,” said Freddy.
His next mission will be to win the back-to back Round 4 and 5 of the Asian Karting Open Championship in Jakarta this week and finishing among the top three will place him in good stead of retaining the overall championship he won last year.