7th April 2015

PERFECT ROTAX EURO CHALLENGE START FOR PIERCE LEHANE

Pierce Lehane crossing the line for victory in France (Pic: RGMMC)

Australian Pierce Lehane has made a perfect start to his 2015 ROTAX MAX Euro Challenge campaign in France.

The Strawberry Racing driver continued the form that saw him win at the ROTAX Winter Cup in February by setting the pace around the Sologne circuit all throughout the weekend.

After qualifying fastest Lehane then went on to remain undefeated in the heat races to start the pre-final from pole position.

Lehane and his team-mate John Stewart established themselves at the front of the field in the pre-final, while the rest of the grid kept struggling the first laps. So the leading duo broke away visibly and drove a tactical race which most of the laps was lead by Stewart. But in the end Lehane’s tactics worked out: After crouching behind his teammate he overtook him three laps before the end, defended the top on the last metres and won the prefinal.

Lehane was the one to beat in final again. The Australian driver defended the lead right after the start, but close on his heels Stewart, Berkay Besler and Jai Nijjar waiting for their chance. After a long period of ceasefire they blew for a final attack, but hindered themselves in overtaking Lehane. The latter was able to pull away some decisive metres and complemented his successful weekend by another win. Behind him John Stewart took the second place in front of Nijjar which equally meant a triple win for Strawberry Racing.

“We had a perfect weekend! Qualifying pole, winning all 3 heats, the pre final and the final,” beamed Lehane.

“The week started of on Wednesday with a few technical problems but we overcame them which shows the strength of my team as a whole.

“It is a great way to start the championship by scoring maximum points, and gives us the momentum heading into Round 2 in Italy in 7 weeks! I’d really like to than Strawberry Racing and Cream Race engines for all their hard work!”

The next event on the ROTAX MAX Euro Challenge will be held in Castelletto, Italy on May 25-31.