Dubai O-Plate Report: Theo Kekati Against The Odds, Federico Rafai Shines In Action-Packed Weekend At The Kartdrome

The eighth running of the Dubai O-Plate took place this past weekend at the Kartdrome, a packed bill that featured Rotax Max classes with over 150 drivers, as well as SWS Juniors, Seniors and Masters, in contention on Saturday and Sunday.

Topping the bill was the Junior Max with the UAE’s top karters, as well as an international contingent, in action over the two days, which included qualifying and three heats on Saturday, followed by the Pre-Final and Grand Final on Sunday, for each class. It was a busy weekend!

Fifth in the World Finals in Bahrain in December last year, Lachlan Robinson, a stalwart of the UAE karting scene, was the man to beat. Chased by the likes of Theo Kekati, Kamal Agha, Rohaan Madesh, Lewis England and Jack Scholar, front-runners of an impressive 16-driver field.

Billed as the hottest contest, it delivered on predictions. With Lachlan living up to expectations, setting the pace in qualifying but with very little separating the top three which included Kekati and Agha.

Lachlan was untouchable in the heats, controlling the pace while Agha struggled off the line had to fight his way forward, and Kekati keeping the leader honest. Agha bounced back to challenge strongly in the final heat.

In the Pre-Final a day later, Lachlan and Agha again slugged it out almost oblivious to their other rivals. It was a thriller with every move in the book employed by the pacesetters. but they also tripped themselves up, allowing Kekati to pounce, snatching the win.

This meant he would start from pole position for the Grand Final which was almost a repeat of the previous race with Agha and Lachlan getting by Kekati to edge ahead, as did Madesh in the fast and furious early stages.

On the last lap, Lachlan and Agha had slowed enough to (again) allow Kekati and also Madesh, this time, to put themselves into contention. The leaders again tripped up, with Kekati seizing the advantage with a bold move around the outside of Turn 3 and scurry ahead with Madesh second, followed by feuding duo Robinson third and Agha fourth.

But Madesh had a ‘down-bumper’ which meant a penalty, thus the top three, after a Grand Final that lived to its top billing status, was it was a deserving Kekati who claimed a popular victory ahead of Robinson and Agha.

Behind the top three, Lewis England did well to finish fourth after fending off Jack Scoular in fifth with penalised Madesh down in sixth. Son of Formula 1 driver, Oscar Wurz was seventh, followed by Alex Wareing, Cullum Marshall and Nigel Thomas rounding out the top ten.

Junior Max: Rafai dominates but has to work hard in Grand Final to fend off Parmeggiani

An impressive field of 26 drivers battled it out for top honours in the Max Junior class, with Federico Rafai setting himself up as the man to beat with an impressive pole position winning lap.

Indeed he proved to be unbeatable despite a concerted effort by several drivers keen to take the top prize, including the likes of Danny Shields, Filippo Parmeggiani, Matteo Quintarelli, Maxmillian Dexter, Sultan Kurdali, Rafael Jesus, Hamza Al Fayez and Elia Pappacena all in the mix.

However, an on-form Rafai was never headed throughout the three Heats grabbing a clean sweep of victories while behind him big battles ensued, as several drivers made their way through the field after bad qualifying.

Rafai’s dominance was dented in the Grand Final with a slew of drivers taking him on, putting him under real pressure for the first time in two days, with several buzzing around him during the frantic race as Parmeggiani brought his A-game to the Grand Final.

But Rafai did enough to hold on to victory with Parmeggiani in his slipstream taking second, ahead of Quintarelli a second adrift in third after getting the better of Dexter in fourth, Shields sixth and Pappacena, Jesus, James Swindells and Georges Nasser rounding out the top ten.

DD2 and DD2 Senior: Kyle Kuruman delivers masterclass, Tony Hogg best of the veterans

Kyle Kumaran, fresh off the back of second place at the RMC World Finals in Bahrain, was simply on another level as he dominated qualifying, heats and both finals; leading every lap, winning the Grand Final by over four seconds from Khaled Saab in second place, who was two seconds up on third-placed Kayne Cherian and Nadeem Khneisser in fourth.

Fifth overall went to veteran Tony Hogg, which made him the winner of the DD2 Master class, which ran together on the O-Plate weekend. Second place went to Mohammed Al Matar (sixth overall) with Jairo Jesus third (seventh overall).

Micro and Mini Max: Peruzzi brothers shine, Higgins makes it look easy

Leonidas Peruzzi proved to be the top Micro Max driver winning the Grand Final by 3.2 seconds and the fastest lap, with Shonal Kunimal second and Pierre Abou Diwan taking the final podium spot.

In the Mini Max Class Kaiden Higgins was a comfortable winner, also setting the fastest lap in the Grand Final on his way to the top step. Zain Elhommossany was second followed by Shivali Sinha.

The younger brother of Micro Max winner Peruzzi, Archilles Perruzi made it a good day for the family winning the Bambino category and the prize of a Max engine for his rookie year in the junior category.

SWS Races: Byron Pirrie, Hoonchang Hong and Atef Al Barwani winners

The SWS Junior winner was Byron Pirrie, second Oscar Lambert and Adam Elkurd in third. SWS Seniors was won by Hoonchang Hong followed by Humaid Humaidiano and Anthony Shanouk. SWS Veteran Atef Barwani won the Masters from Greg Watt and Bruno Champris.

Bright: The O-Plate format ensured for close racing in some classes, while others were dominated by stand-out drivers

Reviewing the event for media, Kartdrome manager and race organiser David Bright said: “Despite the challenges of hosting international sporting events in these times, we are happy that the 2022 Dubai O-Plate delivered on such a high level.

“Reverting exclusively to Rotax Max categories proved to be the correct move, as we enjoyed strong fields in the with good numbers in the Max Juniors. This ensured close racing in some of the classes, while others were dominated by stand-out drivers who now have the prestige of carrying the prestigious Dubai O-Plate title on their CV.

“A big thanks to Kartdrome staff and Rotax UAE technical support for working so well as a team. Also to the teams who dealt with the off-track COVID-19 induced challenges so admirably, the drivers who delivered great performances and, last but not least, the international officials signed up for this year’s O-Plate.

“Also, congratulations to the 2022 O-Plate champions – a special mention to Max Junior champ Theo Kekati, a driver who prepares his own kart, going up against the big teams and winning. I couldn’t think of any other driver more deserving the coveted Formula 4 test as a prize for his efforts thanks to George Gibbons Motorsport.

“Meanwhile we will wish good luck and success to the O-Plate Champions who by winning in Dubai this weekend qualify for the Rotax Max Challenge International Challenge at Le Mans, France, from 26th to 30th July,” added Bright.

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