Hamilton third at Rotax Max - Egypt

Photo: Matthwe Hamilton prepares his kart

Christchurch karter Matthew Hamilton was the best finishing member of the four-strong New Zealand contingent at this year's Rotax Max Challenge Grand Final meeting at Ghibli Raceway in Egypt, finishing third in the Senior class behind Great Britain's Luke Varley and Mario Vendla of Estonia.

 
This year's Grand Final meeting was the 10th consecutive one organised by Austrian engine manufacturer Rotax and finished with Pre-Final and Final races for the DD2 (two-speed), Senior and Junior classes on Saturday.
 

Hamilton's result equals New Zealand's best performance at the annual Grand Final meeting, that of Wanganui's Earl Bamber in the Junior class in 2004. And it helps make up for the heartbreak the now 25-year-old experienced at the second annual Grand Final in Malaysia back in 2001 when he was in a position to win the Senior Final  before his kart's chain seized.
 

This year's Junior representative, Daniel Kinsman, earned the next best finish this year - 13th - with fellow Aucklander Ryan Urban 30th in the DD2 class and Dunedin's Paul Booth eliminated in the DD2 repecharge.

Media: Fast Company 12th Dec 09