Runner-up finish for Oman’s Shonal

Muscat: Oman’s Shonal Kunimal’s excellent run in the ongoing 2021-22 UAE Rotax Max Challenge (RMC) continues as the ten-year-old finished second in the fourth round of the series at the Dubai Kartdrome on Sunday.

The two-day fourth round was disrupted by incessant rains with the organisers finally declaring the top-three finishers based on the performances of the day one action that comprised three heat races.

Shonal, a fifth-grade student of Indian School Ghubra (ISG), has displayed good form since the start of the season and his second-place finish on the weekend ensured that he remains among the top-three on the overall standings with 314 points.

Dubai-based Russian Maxim Bobreshov, who won the fourth round honours, leads the overall standings (385) while Dubai-based Greek racer Leonidas Peruzzi, who came behind Shonal on Sunday, is placed overall second (336).
Shonal stood second behind Maxim in all the three heats to deservingly take the runner-up slot.

The podium result is a boost to Shonal’s confidence ahead of the highly competitive Dubai O’Plate race, scheduled next weekend.

Speaking after the latest results, Shonal said, “I am satisfied with my speed and was second in all the three heats. I was hopeful of a strong show in the final race but then rains forced the abandonment of the final day’s action.”

Mentored by former Oman international go-karting racer Sanad Al Rawahi, Shonal said, “I would like to thank my dad [Shojai Kunimal] and coach Sanad  for all their guidance and trust in me. Their support has been instrumental in my development as a racer.

“I also owe my good results to my team’s technical assistants – Carlo John Bariquit and Mark Rose. My efforts would be to now win races that have eluded me. Though I have been on podiums, I need to improve to win races consistently.”
Speaking about his son’s recent showing, Kunimal said that ‘Shonal has the talent to grow into a top-class go-karting champion but needs lot of support.’

Kunimal thanked OAA managing director Suleiman al Rawahi for his continuous backing and believed that with proper support, Shonal will be winning races at regional level regularly in the near future.