Karting

Four Turkish Karters in Portugal

Turkmotorspor 6 January 2016, 19:41 Updated: 29 January 2016, 16:59 2 min read

The 16th Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final got under way on Sunday 8 November at the Algarve circuit in Portimao, Portugal.

A total of 288 drivers from 60 countries are taking part in the RMC Grand Final, one of the world's most important karting series. At RMCGF 2015, Turkey will be represented by four drivers for the first time. Berk Durak in DD2 Senior, Berkay Besler in Senior Max, Kerem Zengin in DD2 Master and Mert Dalkıran in Junior Max will race for Turkey. The drivers, their parents and mechanics have arrived in Portugal, where the world final will be held.

Berkay Besler, a source of national pride thanks to his strong results in events abroad, is rated among the favourites in his category. Besler is competing at the RMCGF for the second time. He made his mark at the 2013 finals, held at the same circuit, but an unlucky accident early in the final race cost him a race he could have won, and he left disappointed.

RMC Turkey DD2 champion Berk Durak, who races in the DD2 category, is also making his second RMCGF appearance. Durak has previously raced at the finals in the USA and, with the experience gained, is aiming to go all the way to the final this time. Durak's rivals include the well-known F1 driver Rubens Barrichello.

Mert Dalkıran, the youngest driver in the team, is aiming for a strong result in the Junior Max category, drawing on the experience he has gained at home and abroad. This is Dalkıran's first Grand Final.

Kerem Zengin, the team's most experienced driver, will race in the Grand Final for the fourth time. With his domestic and international experience and now fully accustomed to the DD2 engine, Zengin is aiming to overcome the obstacles and reach the final this time. The strongest name in Zengin's category is South Africa's Christiano Morgado, a three-time RMCGF champion.

The races will be held on the Algarve circuit, which is 1,532 metres long and 8 metres wide. RMCGF races will be broadcast live from 10 November at www.rotax-kart.com. The Grand Final will conclude with the final races on Saturday 14 November.