Summarize

Motlekar prepares for Italian debut in wild Austria

It was a baptism of fire as Ghazi Motlekar used the weekend’s Austrian championship opening round to prepare for the coming weekend’s Rotax Max Italia season opener at Adria. Racing against the cream of the European crop, the South African Mini Max champion racing under the Mozambican flag ended up eighth overall of the day in spite of the challenges of the cut and thrust midfield.

“We went to Jesolo to learn some more ahead of our opening Italian championship round this weekend,” Ghazi pointed out. “And learn we certainly did!” Most of the leading European Junior competitors were racing for the same reason and the action was wild, so I was delighted to end up eighth overall in spite of a pretty challenging weekend in freezing conditions.

“I was happy to qualify seventh on such a competitive grid — the top twenty was within the same second, so we knew it was going to be wild. “The first race was manic — I was up to fifth on the first lap but it was war and after a massive ten-kart fight I ended up ninth. “I had decent pace, so we  looked forward to race 2. “It started well enough, but I was taken off on the third lap and I had to drive my heart out to get from the back to 14th.

“The final went much better and I had a clean run, making up two places on the first lap, another mid distance and two more on the last two laps to bring it home 8th with the same pace as the front guys, to wind up eighth for the day. “It was a good day all round — many lessons learned and some good practice in a wild and super-competitive field - thanks to uncle Mauro and Luca Munaretto for all the support and for believing in me. “I’m certainly better prepared for Adria and the first Italian round this weekend."

ENDS

Issued on behalf of Ghazi Motlekar

What:Austrian Rotax Max Challenge Round 1 Report
Where:Jesolo, Italy
When:Sunday 21 March 2021
Community:International

For further information please contact faizal@motlekargroup.com

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