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Ollie Finishes Superb Second at Jesolo |
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Tuesday, 22 May 2007 |
Reigning British Super 1 ICA Kart Champion Ollie Millroy bounced back to form with a stunning performance at Jesolo today, as he powered his works Zanardi to second place in the second final. The 17 year-old Claygate racer and Zanardi team were short of pace at the beginning of the weekend, but over the course of the three days he kept his head down and worked hard, steadily improving as the event got underway.
After mechanical problems saw him unable to qualify higher than 22nd, things were looking difficult for the Surrey teenager but as ever, a determined effort through the heats had him finish eighth and 12th to put him on grid 16 for the first of two finals.
“I wasn't at all happy with the way things were going and I was relying
on the team to get the kart right. I never give up and I knew if I just
had the kit I had a good chance of getting into the points in both
finals.”
Then with his kart back on form and himself buoyed by his performance
he lined up 16th for the first final, held over 24 laps. A fantastic
start in that moved him up five places on the opening lap and he set
about chasing down the pack ahead, but sadly had to settle for 11th at
the flag.
“Not as good as I had hoped for but there were a lot of incidents in
front of me, which held some of us up. I had a great start and made up
about five places but a coming together upfront held me up and I lost
them again.”
Lining up 11th for the day’s final, Ollie was more determined than ever
to return to the form that clinched him the British title and coveted
Winter Cup last year. Another good start was in order as he set about
chasing down the opposition and a superb charge saw him claw his way
through the field, taking second place on the penultimate lap just two
seconds adrift of championship leader and race winner Gary Catt.
“That was a good result after the problems we had all weekend” said
Ollie. “Just imagine where we might have been if we had got it right
earlier. Without doubt, another couple of laps and I would have caught
Gary but I'm happy with second in this class of field. This moves me up
to sixth place in the championship with only eight points separating
second to sixth. Gary's going to be almost impossible to beat but with
only two rounds to go, if the team get their bit right. I'm sure I can
finish in the top three.”
Ollie is staying in Italy tonight and after a relaxing day tomorrow he
is flying off on Tuesday, to Suzuka, Japan for the KF1 World Cup which
starts on Friday next week.
To follow Ollie’s progress visit his NEW website at www.olliemillroy.com
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