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Strawberry’s KF drivers
maintain impressive early season form
11th June 2009
Photos: ©
Chris Walker
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Ben Cooper, Chris Lock and Guilherme Silva all showed character and mettle to deliver strong performances in challenging conditions at Rowrah last Sunday (7 June).
Changeable weather and a recently resurfaced track presented a stern test to all the competitors - not least the team’s brilliant Brazilian, Guilherme who had never seen the Cumbrian circuit before, so racing in a former quarry must have been something of a culture shock.
Ben Cooper
KF1 points leader Ben Cooper overcame the effects of a big accident in the second heat and powered through from 13th on the grid to take 4th spot in the first of the day’s two finals. In the following race, he went two places better to take a well-judged runner-up finish and retain his position at the top of the Championship table.
Chris Lock’s consistency throughout the weekend ensured that he was never outside the top ten – from timed qualifying, through to the heats and finals. The reigning European Max Champion took valuable points with 8th in the first final, before demonstrating blistering pace to rise up the order in the second encounter to snatch the remaining step of the podium with a brilliantly judged move on the last lap, setting a new lap record in the process.
Chris Lock
Guilherme Silva is winning scores of new fans with his exciting, flamboyant driving in the KF3 class. Making his Rowrah debut, he was initially off the pace in qualifying but became the pace-setter in the first heat, taking 3rd place and recording the fastest lap. He was third again in his second heat and earned the same grid position for the first final.
A dramatic and thrilling race was only resolved when the talented youngster crossed the finishing line in a creditable fifth place.
An opening lap clash in the second final knocked Guilherme down to 10th, forcing a gritty
fightback. Patiently he picked his way back through the field to cross the finishing line in 5th, earning praise from his team boss, Paul Spencer - “Guilherme was brilliant. He’s never raced here before and is still very inexperienced in terms of his understanding of the British style of racing. Nevertheless, he gave an excellent account of himself.”
Guilherme Silva
He added, “It was a tough weekend for everyone in the team. But I think each one deserves praise for sticking to their task and taking away something positive. Ben, another trophy and retaining the series lead; Chris was back on the podium and set a lap record, and Guilherme deserved a podium but was unfortunate. But he learnt a great deal and again showed that he’s a big talent.”
All three drivers are now in Genk, for this weekend’s (12/13 June) fourth round of the WSK Championship. Timed qualifying commences on Saturday morning with the first series of eliminatory heats in the afternoon. The all-important finals will run on Sunday.
You can follow the action live, by going to http://www.wskarting.com
and clicking on the ‘Real Time’ button.
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