King steps up a gear with JRP

Reigning Super 1 Mini Max Vice-Champion Jordan King has shifted his burgeoning career up another notch by agreeing terms to join the front-running, Mark Berryman-run JRP outfit in European KF3 competition in 2009. King competed for JRP in the final round of the Spanish Karting Championship at Zuera in October, and despite having been courted […]

Driver

Reigning Super 1 Mini Max Vice-Champion Jordan King has shifted his burgeoning career up another notch by agreeing terms to join the front-running, Mark Berryman-run JRP outfit in European KF3 competition in 2009.

King competed for JRP in the final round of the Spanish Karting Championship at Zuera in October, and despite having been courted by a number of other teams too – most notably CRG Holland – the in-demand Warwickshire ace saw enough to be convinced that he wished to remain on-board for what will be his first full season of international competition next year.

“I raced with them in Spain, and it was a very professional set-up,” explained the 14-year-old, who ran without the backing of a team behind him for the majority of 2008. “They had a lot of driver help and were really supportive of me given that it was my first time both with them and also racing in Europe. They showed me where I can improve, and helped me a lot on the engine side as well with the carbs.

“I really liked the Maranello chassis too; it kept the tyres nice and fresh for the finals, and instead of bouncing around it stayed pretty flat on the track even with a lot of grip down.

“Being with a team is different to what I’m used to. There are more eyes on the track because there are more drivers, so they can see if I’m doing anything wrong – and there are more people to help me put it right if I am.

“I could maybe get good results with other teams too, but being with JRP I think will make me a better driver, and that’s the real difference. They will give me all the support I need, which is very beneficial. I’m really looking forward to it.”

King will compete in 2009 in the WSK International Series, Italian Open Masters, World and European Finals, Super 1 and, when there are no clashes, BRDC Stars of Tomorrow, in which he is also a round-winner.

A handful of toe-in-the-water European outings to date – finishing third in both finals at Zuera and going one better in the Silver Cup at Sarno in Italy the following month with CRG Holland – has demonstrated considerable promise, and confirmed that the Repton School pupil’s KF3 graduation is progressing apace.

“There’s a massive amount of grip in Europe,” he acknowledged. “I never realised just how much there is out there, but I’m getting used to the grip levels now, and it’s starting to become more of a natural way of driving. I was quick enough to have won at Zuera.

“It will be a really good experience next year and I just can’t wait to be honest! I’ll have to get to know all the new tracks and it’s a new way of racing so I will be learning every time I go out, but I’m ready for it and I’m up for it!”

To keep up-to-date with Jordan’s latest career news and results, please visit his website

Info Russell Atkins / © Photos Gregory Heirman – fotoformulak

Publié le 13/12/2008