Kiern Jewiss remains 2nd in Rotax Max Euro Challenge despite difficulties in Round 2 this weekend
LONDON, 5 June 2015 – After being driven over twice in the heats and consequently having to start 29th of 34 in Final 1, the talented young driver struggled to fulfil his potential in the Final of Round 2 of the Rotax Max Euro Challenge in Castelleto this weekend.
Although he came P1 in all free practice sessions, Kiern could only qualify P6 in Group 1. Group 2 was then at an advantage with the fresh rubber already having been lain down by Group 1’s drivers, which meant they were a lot quicker, resulting in Kiern only overall qualifying P19 out of the 45 drivers.
Kiern showed what he was made of as he went from the middle of the pack up to P1 in Heat 1. He intended to do the same in Heat 2, but as the karts began to bunch in turn 1, the driver behind Kiern drove over the top of him and took his exhaust off. Kiern had to pit and have the exhaust re-fitted but by the time he got back on circuit, he was too far behind the rest of the pack so retired early.
Luck wasn’t on Kiern’s side as another driver drove over the top of his kart in Heat 3, badly damaging his chassis and resulting in him having to retire.
As a result Kiern had to start P29 in the Pre-Final, but this didn’t stop him from overtaking 21 drivers and settling in at a respectable P8 finish.
Starting P8 in the Final, Kiern clawed his way back up to P5 and set about reducing the gap to his rivals in front. With 2 laps to go, the 2 drivers ahead of Kiern began to battle, and on the final lap Kiern had closed the gap enough to overtake and finish the race in P5.
Despite all these complications, Kiern still retained 2nd place in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge – only 2 points behind the leader.
Kiern Jewiss said: “I didn’t quite have the pace in the main final. We were forced to use older tyres because of the accidents in the heats. What started off as potentially a very successful weekend turned out to be quite the opposite, but that’s racing, that’s why you have to enjoy the highs, because the lows can be right around the corner. It was hard but I just kept my head up and do the best job I could. It was great fun coming through and over taking 21 drivers in the first final.”
Kiern will next race in Round 3 of the British Championship – which he is currently leading by 32 points – at his home circuit Buckmore Park, Kent on 13 – 14 June.
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