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Stirling
efforts see Adam, Craig and Carl qualify for Bridgestone Cup
Northern Ireland’s Stirling brothers have made history by qualifying
for the Bridgestone Cup at Lonato, near Lake Garda in Italy in
October - the first time that three members of the same family have qualified
for the prestigious race, at once
Reigning British Open KF3 Champion, 14-year old Carl had already
qualified after winning the first qualifying race at PFi in Lincolnshire (6
April), but triumphed again at the second round on Sunday (4 May). In a
thrilling final, Carl waited until the last lap to make his move for the lead,
and then held off his rivals to the chequered flag.
“On the last
lap, we were three abreast running down the back straight. Afterwards, when I
saw the time-sheets, I couldn’t believe it – I was half a second a lap slower
than the other two guys, but they were slowing each other up by battling so
much that I was able to compete with them. It proves that it’s not always the
fastest man who wins!”
In the same race, younger brother Adam (13-years old) earned praise as
he powered his way from 17th on the grid at the start, to 6th
at the finish and book his place for the race in Italy. “He drove a blinder” said a proud Carl.
Not to be outdone, it was 16-year old Craig’s job to uphold the family
honour in the KF2 class.
After three tough qualifying heats, Craig started the final from 11th
place on the grid, but found that set-up changes by his Millennium team had
transformed his kart. Carving his way up the order, Stirling found himself in 4th
place and pressuring Harvey
for the remaining podium spot.
“There was
absolutely nothing in it, in terms of our lap times” he explained
afterwards. “On the last lap, I knew that
I’d have one chance to make a move and make it stick. I sat on Jack’s rear
bumper as we ran down to the back of the circuit and went into the ‘Complex’ (of
tight corners). I dived down his inside
and then made my kart as wide as possible as we ran into the last chicane and
onto the start/finish straight.”
Dad, Alan was understandably delighted with his sons’ performance. “After Carl qualified by winning the first
round, our main focus was to get Adam and Craig in the results to make sure
that they qualified as well. I think its all credit to the boys (Adam and
Craig) that they stuck to the task,
despite difficult heat results and they each produced superb drives in their
respective finals. They’re going to Italy as three competitors, not to
support just one driver.”
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