Muscat – Shonal Kunimal began his 2022-23 season in Oman on a victorious note as the 11-year-old claimed the top honours in the Mini Max category of the opening round of the Oman Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) Championship at the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) Muscat Speedway recently.

This is the first time that the OAA is organising a domestic Rotax Max Challenge series, which comprises three rounds in various categories.

Shonal, an Indian School Ghubra (ISG) student, has been a regular face in the regional karting circuit over the past five years and he put in a solid display to take the top prize with the best lap time of 56.316 sec. He was followed by another promising racer Adam Awan, who had the best lap time of 56.498 sec. Devansh Bandyopadhy (57.377sec) completed the podium.

Earlier, Shonal dominated all three sessions in the qualifying and pre-final races.

“It was a good start to the new season. It also served as a good warm-up for the MENA Nations Cup 2022. I hope to continue with my good form and hope to claim the overall title,” said Shonal.

Oman Automobile Association manager Sanad al Rawahi gave away the awards.

The second round will be held on December 10 while the third and final round is scheduled for February 3, 2023. All three rounds will be held at the Muscat Speedway.

Meanwhile, OAA is getting ready to host the biggest karting championship in the region, the MENA Nations Cup, for the third time later this year.

A total of 20 nations will take part in the Middle East North Africa International Championship (MENA Nations Cup 2022) from December 13 to 17.

The MENA Nations Cup will feature Micro Max, Mini Max, Junior Max, Senior Max, DD2 & DD2 Master categories.

Drivers from Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Cyprus, Algeria, Tunisia, Sudan, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Libya, Iran, Mauritania and Djibouti will compete in the event.