NEWS...
Fantastic in Florida
20th January 2015
Jonny swapped Britain’s wintry weather conditions for some Florida sunshine last weekend and won the admiration of one or two very famous motor racing figures. Throughout an action packed two days racing in blistering heat, he managed to keep keep a cool head and came out on top seven times out of eight competitive outings.
Following a very impressive performance in Las Vegas last November, Jonny had been invited once again by the American based Benik team to compete in the Florida Winter Tour. This lucrative series attracts the top competitors from all over North and South America, together with one or two European based drivers. The team provided all of Jonny’s equipment leaving him to take care of hotel expenses.
Ex Formula One drivers Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello, Juan Pablo Montoya and Nelson Piquet Jr were all in attendance, together with the double world champion Emmerson Fittipaldi. Montoya and Barrichello were rather more than interested spectators as they both had their sons taking part.
Sebastian Montoya and Nicholas d’Orlando all arrived as pre race favourites, but it was Jonny who lit up the timing screens during Saturday’s timed qualifying. He was able to capitalise on this by winning both of the afternoon Heats. Only an over-enthusiastic move from his team-mate Derek Carmenate in Saturday’s final race prevented him from notching up a perfect score. Even in this one, yhough, he recovered to finish 2nd behind d’Orlando
Sunday’s proceedings followed a similar pattern, with Jonny once again topping the timed qualifying list. Two more Heat wins placed him on pole position for the final. With tensions obviously high, this race was red flagged on three occasions before the field of 40 karts finally managed to start.
D’Orlando was very quick off the blocks and almost immediately pulled out a lead of around 20 yards. Once Jonny had managed to move clear of the chasing pack, however, he concentrated on closing the gap. With three laps still remaining he held on to the end and came home a very deserving winner. Alessandro Famularo finished around 100 yards behind in 3rd spot only to be penalised for an earlier incident. That moved Pauly Massimo into 3rd position, with Montoya finishing 5th behind Reece Gold.
Jonny returned home a conquering hero after beating the very best that America has to offer. He has signed up to compete in two further rounds of the Florida Tour in February and March. The Benik team is run by two ex pats Ben Cruttenden and Nicky Michell who were originally based in Kent. Jonny’s outstanding performance has given them a big lift early in the season.
1st race - 19 February 2012
JONNY's KARTING HERITAGE!
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