Last weekend 18 teams started at the first Euro 6h Rotax Endurance Race in Kerpen and experienced a completely new challenge. They had to pull through the long-distance race with uniformed chassis by German manufacturer Mach1-Kart. In the end, man and machine mastered the difficult requirements and turned the premiere into a real success.
With temperatures of more than 30°C, difficult circumstances awaited the drivers at the debut of the 6h-race on the Erftlandring in Kerpen. Mach1-Kart, Rotax, Mojo and the drivers were well equipped though and showed an impressive stability. Only two teams had to forfeit the race prematurely. „Of course we had to do some minor repairs, but these were quickly done“, Mach-1 Kart leader Martin Hetschel explained after the event.
The Rotax DD2-engines pulled through the 6-hour racing distance without any major problems. At the juniors, some replacings of chains had to be done in the meantime. The Mach1-chassis proved their stability as well and highlighted their quality „Made in Germany“. „We didn’t have to deal with any broken chassis or brake problems. In the end, all chassis would have been able to cross the finish line“, Hetschel rejoiced in the end.
Despite the long racing distance, there was always excitement on the tracks. Only towards the end of the race did the winning team Dobla Racing manage to break away a little. At the finish line, they were 7 laps ahead. Regarding the second place there was a real photo finish. Van Viet Racing crossed the finish line with a slight advance of four seconds in front of the Haribo Racing Team.
The junior teams did great jobs as well. After 408 laps and 6:01 hours all in all, the Captain Junior Team crossed the finish line in front of the Flower Power Team and N-TV mini.
But the 6h-race wasn’t a completely new experience for the drivers alone. Martin Hetschel also admitted to having been nervous before the start: “We have broken completely new ground with this event – therefore, I was a little nervous in the beginning. The fact that all karts could have reached the finish line does make me a little proud. In the end, the best lap times were only a few tenths of seconds apart. This proves a high quality and continuity of the teams and the materials used, namely Rotax, Mojo and Mach1. Additionally, I’d really like to thank the hosts, organizers and teams once again for the chance to be a part of such a high-class event. I’d also like to thank my members of staff, who have done great jobs throughout the past three days.”
After this exciting excursion, it’s now back to the usual business for Mach1-Kart again. The team will start at the next to last race of the German Kart Championship in Hahn in two weeks. They still have every chance of the overall victory in the top class with John Norris.
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