The second season of the Emirates Schools Karting Championship (ESKC) got underway at the Dubai Kartdrome on Sunday evening as 19 teams lined up on the grid for ESKC Senior Round One.
Season One Nomad Cup winner, Ghost Racing Team, set the early pace of the evening by taking control of the qualifying session with a best lap time of 1:11.106, almost a half second over both JESS Arabian Ranches and Repton School.
Fast drivers can put up good qualifying times, but to win a 60 minute ESKC endurance race, teamwork, precision and strategy are also vital to win silverware. Lessons from the previous season proved valuable for returning teams.
After the race start JESS Arabian Ranches soon took the lead and began to put distance on the rest of the field. Repton School and Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) Team 4 gave chase but could not close the gap.
The chequered flag belonged to JESS Arabian Ranches, who crossed the finish line a comfortable 20.541 seconds ahead of Repton School. DESC Team 4 trailed in for third place.
The race winners were happy with the results but the team members were well aware that the competition will get tougher as the series progresses. Sam Burtonwood of JESS Arabian Ranches stated, “It feels good to win again, but we still need to carry on and keep cool for the next races.”
Round One Podium.
In the Nomad class, with teams composed of drivers of mixed schools, Ghost Racing Team is once again the team to beat for those aspiring to the top step of the podium. Students of Ghost Racing claimed first place medals for the night, just beating out P1 Racing for second and VDR Racing in third.
David Bright of Dubai Kartdrome said afterward, “With the new regulation updates, such as adding a minimum pit lane duration time and a maximum driver stint time, the racing is now very much focused on team effort, rather than individual efforts.”
“With so many parents and teachers out here to cheer the kids on tonight it was such a great atmosphere. We’re proud of their support as well as from the schools, the ATCUAE and the FIA.” He added.