The RGMMC Paddock Magazine No. 1

No. 001

FEBRUARY 2016

VALENCIA 2016

Pro`s Opinion // Martin Reuvers // Ronald Montfoort // Sue Ellis Driver Interviews // Titus Shanghai Schmidli // Connor McCarthy

RGMMC NEWS // New Race Control System // RGMMC & APEX Timing

NEW FIRST ISSUE

... TO THE RGMMC PADDOCK MAGAZINE! THE RGMMC GROUP IS PROUD TO LAUNCH ITS VERY FIRST PADDOCK MAGAZINE. GET TO KNOW WHAT `S GOING ON IN THE PADDOCK. Every RGMMC organised event will have another issue, sharing information, news about drivers as well as teams and much more.

Known for being different, RGMMC is moving away from the traditional race booklet, creating a magazine that supplies more information about the sport and news about the teams as well as drivers. We will be creating an informative, entertaining magazine over the next 12 months. Giving our readers, an inside into the karting industry and paddock gossip. Together with our new IPTV media partner Telemundi which will be supplying online video content such as interviews and news stories about the actual event.

Digital version of the ROTAX event issues are available for download at: WWW.ROTAXMAXEUROCHALLENGE.COM

If your team or driver has any news to share, please send it to us at info@rgmmc.com so we consider to publish it in the following issue.

For placing adverts in our magazine contact us via email at info@rgmmc.com.

S T N

E T N

CO ABOUT US

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RGMMC NEWS

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GET TO KNOW VALENCIA

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ABOUT THE RACE TRACK

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WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE PADDOCK

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RGMMC PADDOCK POSTER

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WHAT DO THE PRO’S THINK

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RACE PREVIEW

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DRIVER INTERVIEWS

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ABOUT THE WINTER CUP

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INFORMATION

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 rgmmc.com  info@rgmmc.com

 facebook.com/rgmmcAG

 

twitter.com/RGMMC youtube.com/user/RGMMCTV

INTRODUCING THE ORGANIZERS The RGMMC Group is a well established motorsport management company, with its interests in event organization and promotion, consultancy, manufacturing of chemicals as well as technology innovation.

Established over 20 years ago, we have created a strong competent reputation in the motorsport world. Being involved in Karting, Rally Cross, Touring Car, GT Series, Formula racing and Motocross, is what differentiates the RGMMC Group to its competitors.

At the RGMMC Group we have a simple driving philosophy which was embedded in the company from the first day. Our philosophy Attention to Detail and Innovation still today remains to be the heart of the company. We function in a high speed industry – keeping up with the times is an absolute must in order to push the market further. We look forward to our 2016 series, with plenty of new innovations being released to the market place as well as our newly formed company branding and ideals.

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ROLAND GEIDEL

JAMES GEIDEL

With a wealth of experience spanning some 40 years in sales, marketing and sponsorship, Roland is able to combine his passion for motorsport with a pragmatic business approach, which led to the creation of RGMMC as one of the most respected event management companies to exist in the world of karting.

From driver to Formula and GT racing engineer, James has gone on to become a race team manager and owner, developing a deep practical experience and understanding of the sport. Now he is concentrating his effort on the continuous development of RGMMC, where his skills in motorsport business and management are being fully implemented.

NEW RACE CONTROL SYSTEM The RGMMC Group is thrilled to announce its newest product.

For years we have been developing our race control system.

We have learnt from our experiences and now created the most sophisticated, easy to use race control systems on the market.

With a mechanical lens, auto focus, auto colour and easy build up, by far this is the best solution for motorsport race control systems.

We have made many systems in the past, our goal has always been to make the systems easier to use and easier to build up and down, especially important for race organisers visiting different venues. With our new design, the camera itself takes power from POE (Power Over Ethernet) meaning the camera does not need a direct power cable. The power comes from the network cable, so with just two cable ties, your camera is in place.

In the past, budget was a major factor for organisers not having a quality race control.

We believe that today it is impossible to run a championship without a high quality race control. This is the reason why we have spent the time and effort in creating a system which is affordable to everyone. Karting has changed so much over the years across the board. It is important that even the smallest national series has race control in order to guarantee the fairness of the driving standards in the sport.

RGMMC & APEX TIMING The RGMMC Group is pleased to announce its new official timing partner APEX Timing from France, known World wide for their professionalism and innovations in Motorsport timing. Apex Timing will provide RGMMC with all necessary software and be present at the RGMMC events in the roll of timekeepers. Both companies share the same ideals in the industry and together

will no doubt develop some great new products which will be presented at RGMMC events in the near future.

James Geidel commented – “We at RGMMC are pleased to work with APEX Timing. Pierrick and his team show professionalism and perfection in their products which we hope to build on and help further develop in the future.”

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GET TO KNOW VALENCIA Valencia – the name itself brings up images of sun, oranges, and paella.

Valencia enjoys 320 days a year of glorious sunshine. It is a perfect place to live and be outside, enjoying the River Gardens, sitting at a cafe or exploring the mountains and fields that surround the city. The lovely bridges that once spanned the Turia look equally graceful spanning a wandering municipal park, and the spectacularly futuristic City of Arts and Sciences designed by Valencia born architect Santiago Calatrava, who has created an exciting architectural link between the city centre and the Mediterranean.

Valencia has transformed itself in the last decade.

Important international events like the 32nd and 33rd America‘s Cup and the European Gran Prix have put Valencia on the map as a major destination. They have also helped transform the Port and surrounding area as a lively destination place in its own right. Valencia is the 3rd largest city in Spain and has all the cultural, educational and gastronomic benefits of a large city but still is a city of Barrios.

Each one of them is like its own small pueblo or village with a friendly easy going cafe lifestyle. It is a city where you are more likely to wake up to church bells and birds singing than traffic and urban noise. Valencia unlike its larger siblings Madrid and Barcelona still maintains an authentic Spanish lifestyle while it has grown into a vibrant modern city.

ABOUT THE RACE TRACK 1428 meters long and 9 meters wide, the International Karting Circuit of Lucas Guerrero is specially designed to test the drivers abilities.

Start

A fast circuit with technical infield sections will test every member of the teams’ talents, from the drivers’ reactions to the mechanics’ ability to set up the kart. 2014 showed the first international event on the circuit. Since then Mr Guerrero has worked incredibly hard improving all aspects of his complex.This will be the first race the RGMMC Group will bring to Valencia. As always RGMMC is excited to work with a new circuit and discover new challenges. The Winter Cup is a great chance for drivers to try out the international karting scene stress free and place their mark for the start of the Euro Challenge which will begin at Genk the end of March.

DID YOU JUST RUIN A PERFECT MOMENT, BY CAPTURING IT? his was a quote I heard recently, and immediately clicked; “Yes indeed, this is what I do”, I thought. We have come to a point where technology is so advanced that it has become too easy to capture every single moment with a mobile phone or a compact camera, and share it with everyone on the internet. What’s the problem with this? We have forgotten the importance of quality and we are flooded by an enormous amount of mediocre pictures that we don’t even care anymore.

driving, as well as some emotions with the team, mechanic, teammates, family in success as much as in disappointment.

Also I try as much as possible to be good in all technical aspects, always providing perfect, clean and sharp photos, with consistently good color representation, well framed etc. One last rule – for which many will not agree however – I make sure that my work always promotes the driver as well as the sport in a positive way, and for that I never photograph accidents, track violence or any other moments that might drive people away from the sport.

Why do I start like this? Because this is the reason why with The RaceBox I strive to produce only photos that have purpose, meaning, and are 100% perfect in every possible quality criteria we can think of. When I talk to potential new customers (but also several times returning ones), occasionally I get asked, “how many photos” or “why so expensive”, instead of the question that really matters: “will I get the essence of my race captured in these photos?” And the answer is difficult to say, as a big part of what I do has very subjective criteria.

And the result: photos that you can hopefully use to amaze your friends and family members on your social media, use on your website, or the more professional ones you use to produce race reports and press releases, send to magazines and create promotional material for sponsors!

Over the years I have tried to listen carefully and analyze what customers really want and what they really need (and many times this is not what they’re asking for). For example, is it important how many photos you receive if they’re all the same, and they show nothing of what you did, experienced, achieved in your race weekend, or if the quality was not worth showing? How many photos are your viewers going to be interested in looking at?

My belief is, that as a photographer I can capture one weekend’s worth in 10-15 photos per driver, as long as these are all different poses and capture so much the scenery while

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Hopefully with these few words I can inspire you to choose The RaceBox for your photo or other media coverage on your races, and trust us to “ruin” the perfect moments by producing some great photos of it that you’ll be proud to show afterwards.

Alexandros Vernardis alex@theracebox.com

www.theracebox.com www.facebook.com/theracebox www.twitter.com/theracebox www.instagram.com/theracebox www.youtube.com/theracebox

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O D S ` T A RO H W E P ?

H T INK TH HOW WOULD YOU IMPROVE KARTING?

If I was in charge of karting – I would ensure it survives in the years to come as a sport.

Coherence. That is what I am missing in karting. This is something that should be managed by the CIK. Look for instance what is happening at football. There, everything is connected. All competitions are connected and follow the same guidelines. As the CEO of Montfoort Motorsports, a karting team with 52 drivers in 5 championships, I can compare what the effect is of the efforts of an organizer. There are quite good organizers which can be measured with the number of participants. There are also organizers that we as team managers like to avoid. If I was responsible for karting I would want to have coherence between the organizers. Set a standard for quality of the competitions and make sure that karting, at the various levels stays affordable for everyone and not only for the ‘happy few’. Bring organizers together. Set standards for each competition, and last but not least, make sure that the introduction of engines and new products is done in corporation with the organizers instead of putting them for a fait accompli. It is better to have less classes with good filled starting grids than having dozens of classes which are all half full.

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Truth to be told, we don’t know the answer to what we can do to ensure the longevity of the sport.

All we know, is what our customers and drivers are telling us and that is, cost is imperative and most of all, it has to be fun. If you are constantly at the back of the grid, it’s disheartening and definitely not fun.

Get rid of timed practice and go for the ‘front, middle, back’ method that we used to have previously. This gives all drivers the opportunity to be at the front and encourages them to continue racing. Because the grid is mixed ability, it also gives the drivers more practice in overtaking and teaches better race craft. Try to keep costs down wherever possible. We all want to make a good living but if there are no drivers….there is no profit for anyone. Safety issues aside: try to simplify the whole process at grass roots level and up.

Larger teams and associated companies need to sponsor local clubs wherever possible as getting new drivers into karting is imperative. Incentivise! Make it fun!

For the future of karting, I feel that the sport needs to be controlled by people who understand the technical aspects of karting with the aim to make karting more easy for all people.

Karting has to stop being directed and controlled by politics.

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CHANGE OF SCENE FOR 2016 ROTAX WINTER CUP ROTAX Winter Cup to debut in Valencia (ESP) 7th Edition promoted by RGMMC Group Full Grids represented by 20 Nations Hibernation is finally over: From 8th to 14th February 2016, the prestigious ROTAX Winter Cup marks one of the earliest racing events of the year and will be held already for the seventh time following its debut in 2010. Speaking about debut, the 2016 edition of the ROTAX Winter Cup decided for a change of scene. For the first time the event takes place at Valencia on the Kartódromo Internacional Lucas Guerrero Chiva.

he karting circuit is one of the newest in Europe and has only been opened in 2014, which equally was when the 1.428 metres long track hosted the famous ROTAX MAX Grand Finals. Consequently the Spanish complex, which is located around 30 km west from the beautiful city of Valencia, has already proven its capability of hosting international top racing successfully. „Traditionally the ROTAX Winter Cup is our first ROTAX international event of the year, giving drivers and teams the opportunity to kick off their racing calendars and get ready for the ROTAX MAX Euro Challenge. After many successful years of hosting the race in Campillos, we are

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excited to take the show to Valencia. A great destination not only for racing but for the entire family. Valencia is world famous for its cuisine, art and Cultural attractions – not to forget its heritage of motorsport events like the Formula 1 Grand Prix and the MotoGP“, says Roland Geidel, CEO of the organizing RGMMC Group.

Again, the seventh edition of the event will welcome the international ROTAX scene from all around the world.

Drivers from around 20 nations entered the event thus making for full grids in each category. That proves the unbroken popularity of RGMMC karting events, featuring most experienced standards and professional processes in every way.

Date: Distance:

08–14 FEB 1.588 metres

Junior Gearing:

12/72

Junior Laptime:

58.2 sec

Orientation:

clockwise

Start

Traditionally, the competition in the junior category is hard to predict: While a lot of youngsters made their way up to the seniors, there are plenty of newcomers, who aim to challenge the established junior drivers. Surely the experienced youngsters will have half the battle. The UK drivers Mark Kimber and Axel Charpentier – both racing for Strawberry Racing – belong to the circle of favourites as they already look back on a successful year 2015 in the ROTAX Euro Challenge. But maybe the local heroes will have an advantage on home soil. Carlos Saval Martin (MTEC-MOTORSPORT), Kilian Meyer (CRG SPA), Adrian and Alejandro Schimpf (both A SCHIMPF TEAM) and Oscar Palomo Ortiz (EKR Kart Racing) represent the Spanish armada for the junior competition.

In the gearbox category of the DD2 one expects a competitive fight for the Winter Cup, too. It could finally be the time for Kevin Ludi (Spirit Racing) to achieve the great breakthrough. The Swiss is one of the experienced and consistent drivers in DD2 but often without the decisive luck, which is needed for the total triumph in the end. Maybe he will be able to snatch the crown this time. But that is the goal of Constantin Schoell (DAEMS Racing), too, especially after having taken the second place at the 2015 ROTAX International Open on the Adria karting Raceway.

Speaking of the Adria weekend, one needs to mention Ville Viiliainen (VRT). The Finn finished third in Italy and should not be underestimated for Valencia either. Edward Brand (CRG SPA) is another prominent driver one has to keep an eye on. The UK driver finished fourth in the senior category of the 2015 Euro Challenge, now stepping up to the DD2, where he will not do worse for sure. Last but not least there is Christophe Adams (Geriatric Team). The Frenchman is a top candidate in the Masters category but could make for a top result in the overall classification of the DD2.

With a full grid the senior category promises a great show. Led by the reigning European junior champion Jack

McCarthy (Strawberry Racing) from the UK, numerous former juniors such as the UK drivers Tom Gamble (Strawberry Racing) and Jonathan Hoggard (KR SPORT) or Austria‘s Nicolas Schoell (Strawberry Racing) will debut in the highly competitive class challenging the established drivers. First and foremost Rinus van Kalmthout (DAEMS Racing) represents the benchmark. The Dutchman took the European vice championship in the senior class 2015 and is willing to improve his runner-up role. But he will be given a hard time as there are many more top drivers from the Euro Challenge aiming for the Winter Cup victory: Turkish driver Berkay Besler (BOUVIN POWER) and Germany‘s Christopher Dreyspring (TAD RACING) belong to the best Euro Challenge participants for years but even impressed by a remarkable performance at the ROTAX Grand Finals at Portimao – not to forget Denis Mavlanov (KR SPORT) from Russia who always is a serious candidate for a podium position.

In addition to winning the prestigious title of the ROTAX Winter Cup champion 2016 there are valuable prizes waiting for the drivers. In each class the winner will be given a free season in the Euro Challenge 2016, while the runner-up gets two free races and the third placed driver one free round. Summing up the 2016 edition of the ROTAX Winter Cup promises to become a spectacular non-miss event and a thrilling season opener, which will be the foretaste for the twelfth season of the ROTAX Euro Challenge 2016.

More information regarding reports, photos, results and live TV stream are available on the official websites www.rotaxmaxeurochallenge.com or www.rgmmcmedia.com.

To the media: Text and photos are of charge for editorial use.

If you need more information or further photos please have a look at our website www.rotaxmaxeurochallenge.com or contact us by info@rgmmc.com.

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Name: Titus Shanghai Schmidli Birthday: 8. January 2002 Lives: Switzerland Team: Woik Motorsport

Aim for the season?

To be one of the best Junior Swiss Drivers in Switzerland and advance in the Euro Challenge Races.

Racing idol?

Senna, Schumacher and Vettel Greatest sporting highlight?

ROTAX Mini Champion in Germany 2014 and Rotax Junior Vice-Champion in Switzerland 2015 What do you do when you’re not racing?

Go to school, swimming, soccer and fitness training Favourite food?

Swiss Cheese Raclette and Sushi but not together, Schnitzel

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Do you compete in other sports?

Soccer where I like the team playing and in swimming, to compete against my father If you described your character on a race track in 3 words what would they be?

Focused, conscious what I am doing and enjoying to be together with my father and our mechanic How would you make karting better?

To be fair, no spirit for cheating and allow competing on driving skills and not technical advantage and financial strength

GET TO KNOW THE DRIVERS

Name: Connor McCarthy Birthday: 6. January 2003 Lives: Keston, Kent Team: Strawberry Racing

Aim for the season?

Top 10 finish in Euromax Racing idol?

Sebastian Vettel Greatest sporting highlight?

Seeded number in British Championship What do you do when you’re not racing?

Play X-Box Favourite food?

Shepherds Pie

Do you compete in other sports?

Only at school If you described your character on a race track in 3 words what would they be?

Focused, keen, willing to learn How would you make karting better?

Don’t know yet, need more experience

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BOOST YOUR

LOGOS, CREATION & HOSTING OF WEBSITES, ANNUAL BROCHURES, NEWSLETTERS, SPONSOR KITS ETC. Branding packages starting at 300 EUR / month*

Meet us at the WINTER CUP 2016 in Valencia 8 – 14 February 2016 *Duration of 12 months

WEINBLUM + STAHL GmbH AGENCY FOR COMMUNICATION DESIGN Berlin | London | Zurich Phone +49 30 2462 7777 info@weinblum-stahl.com www.weinblum-stahl.com

E H P T T CU U O R B A NTE I W The RGMMC ROTAX Max Winter Cup is the first ROTAX international event of the year, giving drivers & teams the opportunities to kick off their racing calendars and get ready for the ROTAX Max Euro Challenge, having the chance to test in warmer conditions against some of the top drivers and teams in the World.

Now in its 7th year, we have moved the race from Malaga to Valencia, having 6 successful years and amazing memories thanks to the great circuit of Campillos. We hope to continue the success and traditions 600 km more north, situated next to the famous Moto GP track, close to the beautiful coastal city of Valencia. As always, RGMMC will be awarding the winners in each class with some amazing prizes, including a

full free season in to the 2016 ROTAX Max Winter Cup worth in excess of 5000.00 Euro, for 2nd place two free races and for 3rd place one free race. All information on our prizes can be found in our 2016 sporting regulations. A great destination not only for racing but for the entire family, Valencia is World famous for its cuisine, art and cultural attractions.

2015 WINTER CUP WINNERS ROTAX Juniors // Final // Race (12 Laps) started at 14:13:12 // Campillos // Spain 1,566 Km // 15.02.2015 14:10 Pos.

No.

Name

Nat.

Chassis

Race Team

Laps

Total Time

1

54

Tom Gamble

GBR

FA Kart

Dan Holland Racing

12

13:22.486

2

8

Jack McCarthy

GBR

Tonykart

Strawberry Racing

12

13:22.617

3

44

Tom Canning

GBR

FA Kart

Dan Holland Racing

12

13:22.681

Diff.

Best Time

In Lap

km/h

1:06.236

9

85,114

0.131

1:06.257

8

85,087

0.195

1:06.210

8

85,147

Best Time

In Lap

km/h

1:05.044

9

86,674

ROTAX Seniors // Final // Race (15 Laps) started at 14:47:59 // Campillos // Spain 1,566 Km // 15.02.2015 14:45 Pos.

No.

Name

Nat.

Chassis

Race Team

Laps

Total Time

Diff.

1

206

Pierce Lehane

AUS

Tonykart

Strawberry Racing

15

16:20.741

2

207

Brett Ward

GBR

Kosmic

Aim Motorsport

15

16:20.784

0.043

1:04.933

3

86,822

3

243

Thomas Preining

AUT

Intrepid

Team TKP

15

16:21.147

0.406

1:04.874

9

86,901

Best Time

In Lap

km/h

1:03.711

4

88,487

ROTAX DD2 // Final // Race (15 Laps) started at 13:38:19 // Campillos // Spain 1,566 Km // 15.02.2015 13:35 Pos.

No.

Name

Nat.

Chassis

Race Team

Laps

Total Time

Diff.

1

613

Ferenc Kancsar

HUN

BirelART

BirelART/KMS

15

16:04.302

2

628

Paolo DeConto

ITA

CRG

CRG S.P.A.

15

16:06.219

1.917

1:03.670

5

88,544

3

634

Oriol Dalmau

ESP

Energy

Energy Spain

15

16:09.491

5.189

1:04.038

10

88,035

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N O I T A M

R O

F N I

ON TRACK INTRANET LIVE TIMING (NO 3G OR 4G REQUIRED)

1. Step Connect to live timing WIFI network.

4. Step Open Safari or web browser and type in www.rgmmc.com, it will automatically redirect you to the live timing app.

2. Step Apple devices may require you to deactivate auto-login.

3. Step Deactivate auto-login on Apple devices.

For internet live timing Open the event website and click on the live timing link. OR In your web browser fill in the URL: http://www.apex-timing.com/live-timing/rgmmc/index.html Watch live TV at www.telemundi.com

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BORN FROM THE WIND TO DOMINATE THE ASPHALT.

The OTK M6 bodywork: as fast as the wind that gave them form and as precise as the calculations that carved their profile.

A decisive detail of the Racer 401. Winning, as usual.

M4 -0.40

-0.20

M6 0.00

0.20

0.40

CFD analysis results -0.5 TONY KART by OTK KART GROUP

0.5

RGMMC Limited An der Halde 3, 9495 Triesen Liechtenstein