March 7, 2015 – It was a dramatic first round in the Lebanese Karting Championship Junior Max class, with Christopher Njeim taking a surprise victory ahead of Rashed Ghanem.
Christopher, who qualified third, endured a tough pre-final race as he collided with Carl Rizk on the first lap, taking a 10-second penalty as a result and dropping to last place. However, he fought back in the final race and benefited from a blown exhaust for leader Christophe Rizk to clinch the win.
“I was able to pass Rashed on the first lap of the final race, and I kept close with Christophe, but his exhaust blew up on the second lap and he lost power, then I had a free lane; Rashed was behind me and his pace was fine, but not enough to keep up with me. It was pretty easy after that.”
> 2015 Lebanese Karting Championship, Round 1, DD2 Results
Rashed Ghanem finished second and he was quite happy with the result. He said: “Christopher and Carl had an accident in the pre-final race, so I was able to secure second place despite pressure from Christopher later. In the final race, Christopher moved past, but Christophe had a blown exhaust, so I regained my place. I fended off the drivers behind me and managed my tyres well till the end.”
A mechanical failure for Serge Antypas on the final lap cost him third place, and the position eventually went to Karl Atie who endured a tough time today.
“I had contact with Rashed Ghanem while running second in the pre-final race and I spun, and with nowhere to go behind me, George Nader crashed into me. I also had a collision in the final race with Serge, and my kart stalled, but I was able to rejoin in fourth place. Serge faced mechanical issues on the final lap and I finished third in the end.” Atie described his day.
> 2015 Lebanese Karting Championship, Round 1, Senior Max Results
Carl Rizk, who qualified second, collided with Christopher Rizk in the pre-final race which forced him to retire, and a second retirement followed in the final race when debris from Christophe’s exhaust got stuck in his kart.
Junior Max final race results
Christopher Njeim 20 laps
Rashed Ghanem +6.9 sec
Karl Atie +27.1 sec
Serge Antypas +1 lap
Carl Rizk +13 laps
Christophe Rizk +18 laps