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Thorpe dominates in Italy |
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Monday, 21 July 2008 |
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Spectacular results at Sarno (Italy) are becoming a habit for British
KF2 racer James Thorp after his near perfect weekend ended in victory
yesterday (Sunday 20th July). On his first return to the circuit where
he went from last to third in the 2007 European Championship, James
moved into third place in the WSK International Series by going
fastest in qualifying, winning two heats and both of the finals.
The weekend started well when James took pole by two tenths and he
went on to use his front row advantage to win two out of his four
heats. A setback came when his engine failed in another heat, dropping
him down in the standings before the finals on Sunday afternoon,
although his Maranello kart and Maxter engine continued to give him a
two-tenth advantage.
But the two points-scoring races were what he was there for: "In the
Prefinal I had to start on grid 13 as a result of my DNF heat but I
was able to capitalize on my pace and take the lead on about the 6th
or 7th lap, and convert it into a win which was great."
"Then for the final, starting on pole was a lot easier for me than
grid 13, and I was able to lead for more or less the whole race,
barring the first lap where Matteo Vigano (Italy) led," he added.
In the main Final he was able to go even faster, admitting that "I did
not expect to win as comfortably as I did and have a six-tenth a lap
advantage over my competitors, but the kart was working very well and
also my engine, so the result was fantastic for me and Maranello."
As this has now rocketed James up to third in the title hunt there
will be extra motivation at the final round in Spain in October. He is
16 points behind the other two series race-winners. "I believe now
that I have a chance at the title so I am looking forward to the last
round of the WSK to try and clinch it, it will be very hard as both
Jack Harvey (GB) and Anniello Smarrazzo (Italy) are talented, but I am
looking forward to the challenge."
The next time James will be on track is at the European Championship
at Braga in Portugal in the first weekend of August. He came fourth in
the Qualifier last week in Spain so will undoubtedly be among the
favourites.
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