Young karter secures place at World Finals in Portimão
A report from our sponsored driver Jacob Ashcroft!
Last weekend saw me take part in a totally new race class for me, Rotax Micro Max, this is a class for 8-11 year olds and you must hold a MSUK National race licence so I’ve had to work hard this year to complete the required 6 MSUK events to have my Interkart race licence upgraded to a National. This race was to take part on the weekend of the Rotax British Championships so a huge high profile event. The engines were all supplied by JAG Rotax and were all the same, we drew numbers out of a hat to determine which engine I would use, I drew engine No1 so a good start
Friday was spent testing and getting to grips with engine setting and gearing selection. The day was fantastic and I was comfortably the fastest on track. The main action was to start on the Saturday
We started with 3 final practice sessions and my pace was very good, going out at the back and carving my way through to first place.
Quali didn’t go to plan a mix up on times meant I was last to the grid so went out at the back. In hindsight we should of let the pack go and run on my own as I got caught in traffic and Quali was only 5 minutes long. Not a disaster but I only managed 6th fastest.
Heat 1 started 6th got a decent start and held position started working my way forward and soon was on second behind Eden who was on pole, We pushed of together to gap the group behind and then I made my move and took the lead. Managed to pull a gap and took the chequered in first place, so my first British Champs heat win.
Heat 2
Again starting in 6th place, all set to go on the dummy grid and the rain started to fall, we were all on slick tyres and no option to change to wets, I had a great start getting up to second place by lap 2 I was then able to take the lead but the experience of Eden on these tyres soon had him leading. This was the first time I’d ever been on these Dunlop’s in the wet, I lost 2nd place but later managed to retake it and crossed the line in 2nd.
This put me in 2nd place for the pre final
Pre Final
Starting in 2nd place alongside Eden I was on the wrong side of the track and got hung out to dry in lap 1 and again in the same corner with a little bump on lap 2 this saw me drop down to tenth place.
With nothing to lose I set about catching the front pack and lap after lap I moved forward and got up to 3rd place, this was a 12 minute race and it gave the pack the chance to catch me and after a battle for positions I crossed the line in 4th place.
Final
Starting in 4th place again saw me on the wrong side of the track and I was determined that I wasn’t going to get pushed wide this time, I got a great line and emerged out of the danger zone in 2nd place.
I then set about pushing away with Eden to create a gap to those behind, after 2 laps behind Eden I could see that I was quicker and I knew I had to take the lead to avoid being caught from behind. So here I am leading a final with about 20 laps to go and it’s a daunting prospect, I held my nerve and concentrated on my lines and braking zones like I’d never done before, I made a slight mistake that allowed Eden past but I passed him straight back at the very next corner and was then able to hold first place to the flag and take my very first ever British Championship win and title.
2020 Micro Max British Champion
So very happy to have won, the prizes are fantastic I get to keep my engine courtesy of JAG Rotax and the best bit I will now be representing the U.K. in Portugal in January in the Rotax World Finals along with Harrison Whitticombe who finished in 2nd place.
Massive thanks to all my sponsors and supporters you’re all fantastic
And special thanks to my Mum and Dad for everything they do for me as I follow my dreams
Here's a fantastic interview with Jacob ahead of the second days action
Here's the video of Jacob's final race.
