Mechanical Issue Deprives Lessennes of World Title Chance
| driver press release | 25 September 2014 |
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In the battle for the KF-Junior World Championship, Benjamin Lessennes was let down by his equipment. Although extremely disappointed, the Belgian certainly left an impression … once again!
It was on a Sunday afternoon in Normandy. On the steadily drying track at Essay, Benjamin Lessennes was up for the fight! After making an excellent start from 4th place on the grid, the Belgian was in second place for this Final of the KF-Junior World Championship. Wearing the colours of Coyote Racing and Motorhomes STX, kart number 117 was gradually gaining on the leader, the British driver Enaam Ahmed.
pic - KSP
Ahead of the rest, these two young men led their closest adversaries by more than 3 seconds. They were the only two in battle for the title! At the end of the 8th lap, the gap between them was no more than four tenths and “Benji” was ready to launch his attack.
But suddenly his engine stopped …
“I couldn’t believe it,” sighed Benjamin. “Already at the European Championship, I had been dogged by bad luck! Although we did well in the four meetings, I was unable to step onto a podium. Here I really managed my weekend well! I posted the best time in my group during qualifying practice, I was among the front runners during the heats, and I finished my prefinal in second place. I was full of confidence and ready for the contest with Enaam Ahmed, European Champion. In the worst case scenario I would have finished second … and then this, my engine failed. That’s something which never happens!”
The disappointment will be difficult to swallow. “All year I have proved that I am up there with the best,” the 15-year old from Charleroi tries to console himself. “But this is still a mechanical sport in which luck plays a part … All the same I would like to thank VDK Racing, my parents and my partners Coyote, Motorhomes STX, Wavre Motos and Motorsport Wheels Belgium. Without them we could not have done as well as we did. We have some regrets but we also have to move on!”
Now “Benji” will be turning the page on KF-Junior to tackle the leading lights of KF, the top class for non-gearbox karts. In addition to driving in the last round of the German Championship and the WSK Final Cup, the Belgian will also be one of the favourites in the IAME International Final. After his European success in X30 Junior in 2013, the Coyote Racing Team driver would like to take another prestige victory, but in X30 Senior this time. There can be no doubt that Benjamin will soon have his revenge!