Visser In Vegas
Tweetpress release
Beitske Visser's long and rewarding karting season ended in Las Vegas with another first-rate performance by this 16-year old Dutchwoman in KZ2 at the Supernationals. Struck by bad luck in 2010, this time she made herself noticed in the final by staging a remarkable recovery up to 6th. But her US transfer started under bad auspices, because part of her equipment was blocked at the Customs and her free practice sessions were delayed. But at the feed of the hotels, casinos and of the Caesars Palace, Beitske was finally able to stage her show...
Held every year in the gaming capital, the Supernationals are not a race like the others. Americans like to do things on a grand scale and the 15th edition of this prestigious karting event was no exception to the rule, with as many as 500 entered drivers!
Another peculiarity of the event is that the temporary circuit is built on the Rio Hotel parking lot... "It is not the kind of circuit you usually see during the season, but the track is very exciting and you also have a few chances to overtake" commented Beitske.
However, frustration was the dominating feeling at the start of the meeting. "I could not practice the first day because the engines provided by Tec-Sav were blocked at the Customs. Although the problem had not been solved on Thursday yet, I could take a few tests with my chassis thanks to the spare engine. The situation was resolved on Friday and organisers gave us an additional practice session. In these conditions, a 6th time in timed qualifying was pretty good, especially considering that the level was high, with some of the best European drivers and many excellent American drivers".
Beitske Visser concluded two good qualifying heats in 5th and 4th place, and even led her Intrepid-TM close to 3rd place not far from the finish line. Unfortunately there was a bit of a mess in the third heat. Not the kind of positive mess that comes when someone breaks the bank, but the type that causes crashes! "I was forced to retire after pushing hard since the very first lap. I thought I could start from 5th in the final, but I found myself down to 14th on the start grid".
Throughout the race, Beitske impressed with her speed. She set the fastest lap with a lead of almost 0.1 seconds over the lead pack drivers, after overtaking quite a few times. After about 20 minutes of hard effort, she crossed the finish line of this 15th Supernationals KZ2 meeting in 6th place, just behind the fifth! The best female driver of the season stamped her authority again...
"Thank you!"
It took Beitske Visser less than two years to become part of the much closed circle of the best drivers in the world, which usually does not include women, especially when the woman we are talking about is just 16. The Dutchwoman achieve her many positive results at international level thanks to her great driving skills, but she also wanted to send a message to all her partners, which supported her during the last two seasons. "The Supernationals were my last meeting of the season and I would like to avail of this occasion to thank all the partners that supported me, in particular Intrepid, Praga and Tec-Sav, during this fantastic 2011 season".
