October 27th 2019
Leo R competes in Le Mans
As a result of his top 3 finish in the European Karting Championship, Leo R in Year 6 qualified for the Karting World Finals in Le Mans, France. The event was held over a week with over 500 competitors in all categories. Leo’s class (for drivers under 13 years of age) was contested by 70 drivers from 30 countries.
The track offered a challenging mix of fast sweeping bends and slower combination corners that required accurate and precise driving. The event started reasonably well for Leo. His early qualifying pace was good enough for 2nd position. His final lap, however, was disrupted by an incident in front of him, and he dropped to 6th place. A series of qualifying races were then held with drivers being eliminated in stages as the event progressed.
Leo benefitted from the qualifying races being held in slippery conditions on a wet track. Consistent strong finishes would be required to progress to the final days of competition, and he delivered with two 4th placed finishes and a 2nd position. The pre-final was held with the 34 strongest drivers racing against each other for the first time. After a poor start, Leo recovered to finish 5th which would be his starting position for the final.
The final was held in dry conditions. Leo started well, holding his position in the leading group of 7 who broke away from the rest of the field. As the race progressed Leo gained and lost positions as karts slipstreamed each other on the fast straight. Towards the closing stages Leo was able to find his way past battling drivers in the leading group. He moved up to 4th position with 2 laps to go and finally finished in 3rd place, and on the podium. Leo will now compete in the US National Championship in Las Vegas in November.
