Kiwi karter Jacob Douglas has enjoyed a winning start at this year’s ROK Cup Superfinal meeting in Italy overnight.
Douglas,15, who won the B Final in the Junior ROK class at last year’s Superfinal meeting at the South Garda Karting complex at Lonato. was immediately on the pace this year, despite a last minute venue change (to the new Franciacorta Karting Track at Bargnana) and cool, wet weather and track conditions.
The young Cantabrian, driving for the UK-based Leclerc by Lennox kart team in the Junior ROK class, was second quickest in his qualifying group and fourth quickest overall after official qualifying before passing third quickest qualifier, Cui Yuanpu from China, and going on to win his first heat race at the event by almost a second (0.909).
The other Kiwi who qualified to represent New Zealand at this year’s ROK Cup Superfinal, 25-year-old Arie Hutton from Palmerston North, has also had a strong start to his event.
One of 23 drivers from around the globe to enter the Super ROK Senior class, Hutton was second only to Swiss star Michael Muller in the first official practise session then fifth quickest after the official qualifying session.
He slipped one place back to sixth place at the line in his first heat race however remains confident in his pace heading into the second and third heats on (Friday) and the final on Saturday afternoon.
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