Gary Thompson hits big time in Essay

Donabate teenager Gary Thompson (15) secured his place in the forth coming European KF3 (juniors) Championship which will be held in Sarno Italy in September, 60 of the top Junior’s from Western Europe took part in the qualification round last weekend in Essay France. Gary had to finish in the top 25 to be guaranteed a place in the forth coming finals. Gary qualified top in his group of 30 and fourth overall which giving him a starting grid of 2nd for all of his three heats.

Gary finished 2nd in heat one and in heat two he was pushed onto the grass in turn one and slipped to 25 but recover well to finish 13 and set one of the fastest laps of the race. Heat three Gary made a good start and settled for fourth place which guaranteed him a top ten grid position for the final.

The job was not over as Gary had to finish in the top 25, based over your finishing positions in both final, Once again Gary was starting from the outside of the Grid, which is the dirty side of the track. Gary found himself involved in someone else accident and lost at least 7 places. He had to push hard to cut through the traffic but once again was clipped by another kart that pushed him back down the field to 24 with only 3 laps remaining Gary pushed hard to finish 20th.

In Final 2 Gary started 20 on the grid made a very good start and pushed hard over the 17 lap final to finish 11th and secure his place in the finals in September, Gary was the only Irish Junior to make the final and will be Ireland only reprehensive in the (Juniors ) Finals in September.

“This is a very unusual race as there are 25 winners and everybody just wants to qualify, so you have to make sure you stay out of trouble and just do what is need to get into the top 25. It’s makes it vary hard as the front drivers are driving with care but the back of the field are taking all sort of chances to make up places. I am glad I made it through, I was very fast all weekend but was unlucky in one of the heats and in final 1, but it all worked out OK. I am now looking forward to going Sarno and trying to becoming the first ever Irish driver to win a European Junior Karting Championship. I am off to Italy this weekend to the last round of the Italian Open Masters Championship and then testing for the British Championship where I am currently 2nd”

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