- Paul Chatenay wants to go one better than runner-up spot he achieved in 2013
- Sam Zian expects luck to turn his way for a change
Among the UAE contingent set to contest the 2015 Sodi World Series (SWS) Grand Finals, in France this weekend (5 and 6 Junes), are Paul Chatenay and Sam Zian who are both capable of lifting the biggest prize in leisure karting.
In fact Chateany came very close to winning the title in 2013 at the RKC track, on the outskirts of Paris, where he finished second in the Grand Finals two years ago.
He is also the most experienced of the UAE entourage at SWS Grand Finals, having raced in the 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions of the annual event.
As a result Chatenay will be on hand to advise and guide his fellow UAE drivers, “I will try to provide the UAE drivers any tips and advice that they need so we can do the best possible as a collective.”
“It is important for me that all UAE based drivers do well and specially have fun. If this is achieved then the results will happen automatically,” predicted the Abu Dhabi based Frenchman.
He added, “This year I see that the race day schedule is packed, so it means lots of races, more track time… I am confident of my fitness level thanks to my triathlon training. It is going be an exciting event.”
Zian is another stalwart of the UAE racing scene, a former UAE Touring Car driver, he is also a formidable competitor on the SWS scene at the Kartdrome.
Luck has conspired against him in previous Grand Finals he has contested, and now the United States national believes that a dollop of good fortune is owed him for the forthcoming Grand Finals.
“In all honesty the last the times I have gone to the finals I have had a serious run of bad luck,” said Zian. “This year I’m hoping for a bit of good luck for once and the plan is to just take one corner, one lap, one heat and one contender at a time.”
“I know I’m experienced and capable enough to bring home the win, and secondly to make sure our home track is represented in high standards of sportsmanship and competitiveness,” mused Zian.
“I try to never give away too much of my secrets, but this is my fourth time there and racing is my career for the last 20 years of life. I always approach every race with the same mindset whether SWS or Le Mans Prototypes. Just do what I’m supposed to do and hope my experience does the rest,” he added.
“I was the first UAE SWS Sprint national champion. I am proud to see more of the Dubai Kartdrome regulars making the finals and hope I played some small part in that development,” concluded Zian.
Other UAE based drivers, all front-runners at the Kartdrome, who will be contesting the Grand Finals along with Zian and Chatenay are Abdualla Al Ali, Hussein Umid Ali, Atef Al Barwani, Alexandre Silanine, Craig Shenton and Maz Nawaz, along with Junior drivers Alex Connor and Oliver Walton.
Also making the trip, to contest the SWS Endurance Grand Finals are two teams from CG Racing and F3 Racing.
Kartdrome manager Ryan Trutch said, “The SWS at the Kartdrome is well respected on the international stage in both Sprint and Endurance formats. We have a very strong contingent travelling to the world finals this year and I am quietly confident that our team will impress and give a good account of themselves.”
On track action at the RKC starts when 75 drivers take to the track, in groups of 20, for Free Practice starting 08:00 am on Friday (5 June), followed by Heats during the course of the with Superfinals later in the day, with the same proceedings on Saturday to determine the champions.
Information, entries, live timing and streaming of the 2015 Sodi World Series Grand Finals can be found here>>>