Motorsport: Shonal wins top honours at IAME X30 Series

MUSCAT: Oman-based seven-year-old ISG student, Shonal Kunimal continued his winning streak with determination to record his eighth win of the season when he took the top honours in the third round of the 2018-19 IAME X30 Series in the Bambino Class for 5-8 years old at Ras Al Khaima, RAK Track during the weekend.
Having clinched the top spot in the first and second round of the IAME X30 Series in the earlier months, followed by a top spot in the third round, Shonal’s focus and hard work has led him to a hat-trick of wins.
Shonal who could not race in the first time trial because of an engine failure at the grid had to settle for the last place as per the rules of the competition.
With this setback Shonal found it hard to claim any chance to clinch the top place with three times trails remaining, thus losing 20 points and putting him behind all other drivers.
But with his passion and determination, he managed to win the second and third time-trial with a difference of 1sec ahead than the other racers.
The first time trail was won by Romanian driver Lennard Titica win with a lap time of 1:08.387secs, followed by Italian Nicholas Stura with a time of 1:09.342secs in second place, and Jais in third spot.
The second time trial saw Shonal clock 1:07.012secs a record lap time followed by Lennard Titica in second position with a time of 1:07.565secs
With a timing of 1:07.70secs in the third and final time-trail Shonal grabbed the top spot. He was followed by Greek driver Leonidas Peruzzi in a time of 1:08.543secs.
Sanad Shannak, Birel Art Middleast Team Manager paid tribute to Shonal for his wonderful performance and winning after being declared the winner of the IAME X30 Series.
During the prize-giving ceremony Shonal said “I would like to thank WMS (Al Wahaibi Motor Sports) for supporting me at the championships and to the Coach Sanad Al Rawahi, former Oman's go-karting star”.
Shonal’s next race will be the fourth round of the Rotax Max Challenge on mid-December.
Shonal is now currently leading with highest points in all three championships for the 2018-19 season.