Strong Start by Aussie Trio in Portugal
Tweet- Live Timing, access to results etc from Braga HERE
from karting.net.au
Australian drivers Joseph Mawson, Jacob parsons and James Abela have made a strong start to their campaigns at the opening round of the World Under 18 Championship in Portugal.
Mawson ran as strongly as fourth fastest during one of his sessions, while Parsons’ best was 15th quickest in his opening practice, which saw the Under 18 field split into odd and even groups based on their race numbers (Parsons #49, Mawson #50).
Above: Tim Craig working on the Joseph Mawson entry in the pit area in Portugal
Abela’s best was fourth fastest during his second session of the day.
Qualifying and heat races will be contested this evening (Saturday, Australian time).
To follow the action live via the CIK-FIA Live Timing please click here.
WHAT THE DRIVERS HAD TO SAY
Jacob Parsons World U18 #49
“The Braga track is so different to any track I’ve raced at before. My pace is good apart from two corners which I’m losing all my time in so made some changes for tomorrow and it should be good. All of the three Top Kart drivers need to find about 4-5 tenths of a second but we think we’re heading in the right direction and know what changes we need to make to the set-up.”
Joseph Mawson World U18 #50
“We got to the track at 9am started working on our karts. We then collected our Engine and other parts like exhaust, transponder etc.
“I then went to the drivers meeting with Jacob, Federico, Tim and Antonio. The rules are a lot different and stricter compared to Australia. We then finished putting the kart together ready for the practice sessions for the day.
Above: Unipro, according to Joseph Mawson "a very complicated but good data systems, i's very popular in Europe but it's off my kart now due to weight"
“For the first session we had to run the engine in for 7 laps then we could go flat out. I ended up 6th in my group, confident that I could find a bit more speed out of the kart and drive the track better. We put a tooth more for the gearing and put padding in the seat to make it a bit more comfortable. I went out for the second session and got fourth overall, which I was really happy!
“For the third session we changed set-up in the front end and put another tooth up on the gearing which killed the mid and top speed and put me 12th. We changed the tooth down two for the fourth session which bogged it off the slow corners, but we changed the front end mid way through the session which made a big improvement. I ended up 19th.
“After walking the track with Antonio, the team has got a good idea on where to head tomorrow and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
