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Karting: Parry's Czech success
MATTHEW Parry rode the wave of momentum, built up during recent Formula Kart Stars and Super 1 meetings in the UK, to claim a well-deserved international success in round three of the RGMMC Rotax Euro Challenge, held at Sosnova, in the Czech Republic.
Coming off back-to-back Formula Kart Stars successes at Rowrah and PF International, the Paul Carr Racing driver headed to the Autodrom Ceska Lipa in confident frame of mind and, despite not having seen the circuit before, was immediately on the pace as three days of practice began.
The shorter than expected layout quickly began to produce 45-second lap times, with the fastest Junior Rotax drivers eventually dipping into the 44s and rivalling some of the mid-grid seniors. Despite not making the elite group in practice, Parry broke out of the 45secs bracket in qualifying, responding to main rival Ed Brand's 44.7secs lap with a 44.8secs effort of his own, claiming the second fastest time overall and a two pole positions in his three heats.
Having been warm and sunny throughout practice, the weather turned increasingly wet as racing began on Saturday, but Parry remained undeterred, claiming third behind Brand and fellow Briton Josh Webster, in the opening Junior Rotax heat before going on to triumph in his second outing.
Heat three produced some extraordinary racing as, with the entire field on slicks, it poured with rain mid-race, leaving Parry to go head-to-head with Holland's Kay van Kemenade, in treacherous conditions.
Both youngsters displayed excellent kart control as they slithered around the final few laps, before snaking their way to the chequered flag, where Parry, having given chase for much of the race, got the victory verdict by a scant 0.098secs.
Despite two victories in his three heats, the Bury St Edmunds resident lined up third in Sunday's pre-final but, with the wide Sosnova layout reducing the difference between odd and even numbered grid slots, there was no advantage to be had from starting on the inside of row two.
Surprisingly, polesitter Brand opted to use his remaining set of new tyres for the race, while the majority of the field decided to keep theirs for the main event later in the day. Brand pulled away at the front, leaving Parry to battle with Webster and van Kemenade for second, taking the position mid-race and holding on to the chequered flag to ensure he joined his countryman on the front row for the final.
Although Brand led the opening lap of the main event, his used rubber began to take its toll, allowing Webster and Parry to move ahead. Webster led until lap five, before the Paul Carr Racing driver seized a lead he was not to lose. After a brief battle with his countryman, Parry extended his advantage over the remaining nine laps, winning by 1.3secs to add another victory to his 2009 haul.
"I am delighted to have won at a major international competition, and this success sits nicely with my recent Formula Kart Stars wins at Rowrah and PFI," Parry commented afterwards.
"It was a very proud moment to be on the podium as part of a British 1-2-3, and this result gives me a chance of a top-three position overall in the Rotax Euro Challenge."
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
