27th November 2022

TOP FIVE FOR BRETHERTON AT ROTAX GRAND FINALS IN PORTUGAL

The Australian team during the Driver’s Parade at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals (Pic: BRP-Rotax)

Australian Rotax veteran Troy Bretherton has finished the best of the Australian contingent with a fifth place finish at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals in Portugal.

Competing in the DD2 Masters Class, Bretherton qualified 29^th in wet conditions before edging his way forward during the heat races to start Saturday’s final 10^th.

The Queenslander used all of his vast experience to race near the front of the field throughout the 21-lap final around the Kartódromo Internacional do Algrave circuit in Portimão.

“Representing Australia at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals is a real honour and to cap it off by finishing fifth amongst the best DD2 Masters drivers in the world is something that I’m extremely proud of,” said Bretherton.

“I had the speed to mix it with the top three but it was always going to be tough to get on the podium after starting 10^th.

“I’d like to thank Team Australia captain Scott Howard for all of his hard work and passion for this event, along with my mechanic Dane Smith for everything he does for my racing.  Also thanks to everyone at Rotax and Karting Australia for making the opportunity happen for Australian drivers to compete over here.  It’s been a great event.”

Bretherton’s fellow Queenslander Harrison Hoey had the pace to mix it within the top ten in the Senior MAX class, however, an incident in his final heat race left him starting 15^th in the final.  He battled hard throughout the race before being classified 15^th at the chequered flag.

Sydneysider Kamal Mrad was the big mover in the Junior MAX final, after starting the final 35^th, he crossed the line 19^th before a front fairing infringement dropped him to 24^th.

The youngest member of the team, Koda Singh finished 21^st in the Micro MAX final.

After challenging runs throughout the heat races, Corey Carson (Mini MAX), Armand Hamilton (Junior MAX), Toby Spinks (Senior MAX) and Jonathan Marcusson (DD2) failed to make the transfer into the finals.

The Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals saw 396 drivers from all around the world compete in various categories from the youngest in Micro Max through to drivers over 32 years of age in DD2 Masters.

For the full results https://www.apex-timing.com/goracing/results.php?path=/korridas/2022/rgf2022&group=7