Foster-Jones impresses at karting’s biggest event

When asked what his greatest regret was, the late, great Ayrton Senna replied: “That I never won the World Karting Championship”.

His response perfectly illustrates the importance this event holds for drivers - they all want to win it – and in the KF2 class, it’s no different.

Formula One bosses and managers also take a keen interest in the event and indeed, ex-Jaguar F1 supremo (and now technical consultant to the FIA) Tony Purnell was at the Mariembourg circuit near Charleroi, Belgium over the weekend (22/23 September) to enjoy what Senna called: “the purest form of motorsport”.

Competing in the KF2 class, Robert’s weekend began well enough, when he placing 21st overall in timed qualifying - just 3 tenths of a second off pole position. In his three heats, Robert finished 7th, 5th and a fighting 12th (after being knocked off the circuit at the first corner), which placed him 9th overall in the intermediate classification and gave him a fifth row start for the pre-final.

As the karts powered round the track on the formation lap, one rolled to a stop. Suddenly the awful realization hit home – it was Robert. As the team looked on in disbelief and unable to assist, he furiously tried to see what the problem was – whilst the pack continued to roll towards the start-line. With Robert still stranded on the circuit, the starter sent the karts round again. As marshals came to remove his kart, many thought Robert was out of the race before it had even started - but suddenly he jumped in the kart and accelerated away. In the nick of time he had traced the problem to a loose spark-plug cap, bashed it back on and fired up his engine. Rob re-took his grid position and barely had time to compose himself as the red lights went out.

Surviving the opening corners and two big crashes, the 16-year old battled for 15 laps and took the chequered flag in 6th place. But he actually wanted to finish in 7th – “I know it sounds crazy as 6th would’ve put me on the 3rd row of the grid but on the outside of the first corner. 7th place would have put me a row back but on the inside for the first two corners – and that’s where you want to be”.

As it was, Robert escaped the Final’s opening lap chaos to move into 5th place before passing one of the pre-race favourites, Flavio Camponeschi for 4th. The experienced Italian fought back and this allowed the lead trio to escape whilst Sweden’s Jesper Wernersson, Julien Deschamps of Switzerland and local favourite, Gilles Debrauwere closed in from behind. Fighting to hold his track position took its toll on Robert’s tyres and his kart became a handful through the fast corners. This handed the advantage to his rivals but Rob was able to hang on and take a fine 7th place.

Afterwards, he said “When I got back to the pits I did beat myself up a little bit but it’s been a privilege just to be here. Before you even get to Mariembourg, you’ve got to get through the European championship qualifier and then do well at the European championship itself. So by being here, you’ve already qualified as one of the best in the world”. But did he dream that he would do so well? “When I was lying 4th I did think a podium was on. But 7th at the first attempt - I’m happy with that”.

Robert will now concentrate on a programme of testing and training prior to his next race, the Industrial Cup at Parma, Italy in October.

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