Harvey wins Asia-Pacific KF2 Championship

Jack Harvey rose to the occasion at Suzuka, taking his first major championship of the year by over 11 seconds and adding a new trophy to join his 2007 European Junior Championship. Another impressive drive came from Giacomo Patrono, starting from near the back and coming through to second.

---

---

Prefinal
The track was by now almost dry, apart from a few small puddles, but the sky was cloudy with big dark clouds gathering on the horizon.

Giacomo Patrono took the advantage over Harvey initially. A skirmish finished off several karts at the end of the straight, including the Maranello second team, Trenta Quattro. The order was now Patrono and Harvey, followed by Shigehiro Noda and Ryo Otani, Naotaka Hori, Giaguaro Nero and Flavio Camponeschi.

Many exits from the track were caused by traces of water on the outside of some kerbs. Otani took the third place from Noda. Karol Basz came back strongly to take the 12th position. Patrono disappeared on lap five, leaving the race open to Harvey who pulled out a big gap. After a final battle with Otani, Noda then gave up and let Camponeschi and Giaguaro Nero past. Both then fought fiercely with Otani up until the chequered flag.

While Harvey passed the finish line a clear winner with a seven second lead, Basz came back to the front of the field and took Giaguaro Nero for fourth place. Camponeschi also took Otani for second position.

Final
Flavio Camponeschi made the best start, but Harvey took the lead from the second lap and pulled out way ahead. Starting from the 13th row, Giacomo Patrono was already 12th. From the last row, Petri Suvanto was coming through as well but not as fast.

There was a big fight in the chasing pack, which continued until the chequered flag. At first, it included Camponeschi, Karol Basz, Tanart Sathienthirakul, Ryo Otani, and Kyouhei Yamashita. Patrono soon joined the exciting battle. Zoel Amberg started from the seventh row and moved into the top ten by mid race.

Otani faltered slightly, allowing Katsuta Takamoto past, then Giaguaro Nero joined the game in eighth place. Harvey still had an impressive lead. Patrono took advantage of Camponeschi who wasn’t as strong on this lap. Giaguaro Nero was determined; now in fifth, he then took Yamashita to gain fourth.

Two laps from the end, Camponeschi took back second. In the confusion of the last lap, Katsuta attacked Camponeschi, so the two drivers made contact on the entrance to the final straight, allowing past Patrono and Giaguaro Nero!

Victory went to the dominant Jack Harvey, Giacomo Patrono was on the second step of the podium in a double treat for Birel. Giaguaro Nero was a superb third on his Maranello.

Report by Kartcom and Kartlink, photo by KSP. Results from the CIK.

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website