Q & A - Daniel Rochford

Daniel Rochford told KartSportNews about the final round of the Euro Rotax Challenge at Genk (Belgium) a couple of weeks ago. Full results are on kart-data.com HERE.

Q: What happened in the final as it appears you had a good pre-final but finished 19th.
DR: For the pre-final I had started in position 18 and I was feeling I could gain a few positions during the race. The first corner and opening lap I had made a few positions up to be just outside of the top 10. Unfortunately I got passed and ran offline so I lost a lot of positions and finished in 19th position.

Q: Were you happy with being 18th after the heats?
DR: I was not too worried by starting in position 18 as that's where I had started throughout the qualifying heats and made it into the top 10 in three of the four heats. As always, I would have much preferred to be further up in the field, but it was a good effort after qualifying 43rd.

Q: How was Genk compared to the other Euro circuits you have raced on?
DR: All of the tracks in the Euro series are amazing to drive on. They are all presented to the best they can be. I liked the Genk track becuase it reminded me of some of the track layouts we have back here in Australia. It was a very technical track to drive but was also a very fun and exciting to race at.

Q: Having raced with and without front brakes, do you think they would, or would not, be a good thing to have in Australian Rotax racing?
DR: My personal oppinion on the front brakes is that they make it a lot more interesting to drive. They can take a bit of getting used to, as I found out, and they definately help in the wet weather conditions and also under passing. I think that it would not help on reducing the costs though as they are quite exspensive to have, so if one driver had them everyone else would have to get them as well becuase of the advantage they give.

Q: What does the rest of the year hold for you?
DR: My next meeting will be the 4-hour enduro held at VACC Park, Melbourne. Aside from racing, I will be having a lot of 'bum in seat' time over the summer and also concerntrating on my fitness to be in shape for next year.

Q: Do you have a plan for 2009 and beyond?
DR: This year in the euro series has been great racing with Intrepid Force Rotax and I have learnt a lot, so I am very keen to race again next year as I think I will be able to achive some good results with Peter and Intrepid Force Rotax.

Q: Anything else you'd like to add?
DR: I would like to say a big thanks to everyone involved with Intrepid Force Rotax. I would also like to say a special thanks to all my sponsors and supporters, I would also like to thank Peter Cathcart my mechanic and mentor - it wouldnt have been possible without him! Also thank you to Sniper Technologies for supporting the team.

A special thanks to Jill Cathcart for her support, and also Clint for making sure I have the best engines on board for the Euro Challenge and spending countless hours to make sure they are to the highest in their performance.

Last but not least, thanks to my biggest supporters being my Mum, Dad and grandparents for their continued support in the 2008 season.

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