Saturday 16 / November / 2024
MUSCAT: Oman go-karting driver Shonal Kunimal once again proved too strong for his fellow competitors by winning the second round of the Dubai Bambino Cup held at the Dubai Kartdrome on Saturday.
In the previous round, Shonal and Anthony Joe Khalil grappled in a close contest, with Shonal winning the last two out of four time-trials claim overall victory.
In round two Shonal continued where he left off, elevating his level of driving and leaving the rest of the pack behind. He began the day in fine form, clocking in at 1:20.458 in the first time-trial — the only driver to dip below the 1:22 mark. Anthony Joe Khalil trailed behind with a best lap time of 1:22.495.
Shonal upped the ante when the other drivers starting to improve their times. He knocked out a 1:19.939 in time-trial two to beat out Lennard Titica and then a 1:19.707 to win the next time trial as well. Lennard was only 0.447 off the mark with a best lap of 1:20.154, but he still had to settle for another second-place finish. In the last time-trial Shonal had registered a scorching 1:19.598 lap time to finish the day.
Four-from-four and all 200 available points earned Shonal Kunimal the Round Two winner’s trophy and a boost of confidence going in the next round. Lennard Titica secured second-place on 167 points and Anthony Joe Khalil claimed third with 162 points.
The driver from Oman has proven that he is now the driver to beat if anyone aspires to win the 2018-2019 championship. Anthony Joe Khalil, Leonidas Peruzzi, Kareem Azzi and Nicholas Kimi Stura are all in contention; which driver will step up and challenge Shonal in the next round?
Dubai Kartdrome Manager David Bright said, “Congratulations to Shonal for an impressive triumph today. I was also happy to see all of the drivers on the grid improving their lap times as the day progressed. Well done!”
During the prize-giving ceremony Shonal said "His main worry was his dental trauma, I would like to thank the Oman-based Dr. Ajay Narayan who fixed Shonal's complicated multiple tooth infection, which was causing him high fever and pain. Doctor's plan, schedule and amazing work was excellent, in-between the non-race days and weeks to complete all my dental trauma without effecting any of the current or upcoming races."
Shonal even thanked WMS (Al Wahaibi Motor Sports) for supporting him for all IAME series and to Coach Sanad Al Rawahi who is former Oman's go-karting star. Shonal’s next race will be the third round of the IAME X30 Series in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, on November 23 and also Rotax Max Challenge third round on November 16 at Al Forsan, UAE.
