Jonathan scored a creditable 3rd place at
last weekend's (29/30 March) British Open Championship at the Three Sisters
circuit, near Wigan and said: "This is just the start".
The 'O Plate' -
as the event is known, after the number plate bearing an 'O' is awarded to the
winner - is one of British karting's most prestigious titles, and is renowned
for the winner-takes-all nature of the driving.
Jonathan's weekend
started reasonably enough, when in Timed Qualifying, he posted the 5th fastest
time. "We could've gone quicker, but didn't" he said somewhat enigmatically
afterwards, adding: "At least it was better than being at the
back."
Starting from the third row of the grid for his two heats,
19-year old Jonathan survived a crash in his first race to finish 6th. In the
second, he had no such problems, and picked his way through from 5th on the
grid to win. His aggregated finishes gave him a front row grid position for the
pre-Final, alongside Shaun Carter.
With things becoming serious, some
drivers were becoming a little desperate - which Jonathan found to his cost. As
the karts tore down the circuit's long main straight into the first corner,
Jonny was rammed from behind and knocked off the circuit, allowing the pack to
stream past him. He explains: "I got going and finished 2nd. I was so angry I
just tore through the field and was pleased to finish so high up, considering
what'd happened."
Despite being on the front row of the grid for the
Final, Jonathan knew that he was in a vulnerable position. Being on the outside
for the right-hand corner, and off the crucial racing-line, invariably leaves
the 2nd-placed starter struggling to maintain track position, as the drivers on
the inside line have the advantage.
Jonny gives us his
through-the-visor view of what happened next: "As you exit the last corner and
come onto the start/finish straight, the whole field is bunched up and
travelling relatively slowly. But as you approach the lights the poleman picks
up the pace and you're heading into the first corner at over 70mph. With
everyone nose-to-tail, the guy behind you is effectively pushing you through
the first few corners - or off the circuit in my case!"
Reigning British
Super 1 champion Chris Rogers is a tough customer - and as the karts threaded
their way through the first lap's opening corners, he appeared to knock Jonny
off the track. After dropping to 6th, Jonathan - who makes a mean cocktail -
collected himself and stormed back to finish 3rd. "I should've done better with
the speed I had but 3rd's not a bad result - it's a good base to start from.
"
The 2008 British Super 1 Championship kicks off back at the Lancashire
circuit in just two weeks time, and Jonny regards last weekend's event as
useful practice - "I'm looking for another podium. I'd be happy to start the
Championship with a win, 2nd or 3rd - so long as it's one of those, I'll be
happy."
Before then, he's heading to Angerville in France for the
second round of the International Winning Series Karting Championship. After a
difficult opening round in Italy, he's confident that he can get a good result.
"I've raced there before - at the World Cup in 2006 - and I was fast. I like
the circuit a lot, so I think I'll be fine."
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