5:50pm Tuesday 25th November 2008
By Staff reporter
A TALENTED Trafford youngster was on-track for a rostrum finish in his latest karting outing at PF International until misfortune struck just three laps from the end of the race Though 11-year-old Jay Goodwin may have been denied almost within sight of the chequered flag, his burgeoning reputation nonetheless continues to grow.
The St Ambrose Grammar School pupil is currently competing in Mini Max - and not only is he the youngest driver ever to enter the class, but he is also up against rivals as much as five years older than him.
The young Sale-based star travelled to PF in Lincolnshire, determined to come away with the kind of result to match his promise.
In torrential conditions Jay went up against British number three Louise Richardson and club championship runner-up Harrison Scott.
He said: “When we were there before in Mini Max we didn’t have the best of luck, so we were hoping this time it would go better and I was aiming to finish inside the top 10 in every race and maybe even get a podium in the final.
“In practice we weren’t as quick as we probably could have been. Part of that was down to my driving – because I still needed to learn the track a bit better – and part of it was down to just struggling a little bit with the kart. By the last practice session, though, we were quickest.”It was a good start, and one that saw Jay head into race day in positive spirits – and the Sunday could barely have begun in more encouraging fashion.
Jay added: “Obviously I was nervous, because you always have nerves, but I was feeling pretty confident too. The first heat was really good, I came off second on the grid and led it from the first corner all the way to the end.”
Indeed, the P1 Racing star proved to be flawless as he hung on to record his second Mini Max heat triumph, and such was his and Richardson’s sheer pace that their battle had carried them more than three seconds clear of their nearest pursuer at the close.
Following that, solid 12th place from virtually the back of the 24-kart grid in heat two was enough to earn Jay a starting spot of third for the all-important final – and for the majority of the race, a podium finish seemed to be on the cards.
But less than a second shy of the final rostrum place at the flag, Jay may have left PF with a sense of frustration, but had once more proven that he has the pace to win.
To keep up-to-date with Jay’s progress visit: www.p1r.co.uk
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