Mawson leads the Aussie charge in Portgual

Joseph Mawson's Top Kart fitted with wet tyres ahead of Saturday's final practice session

Sydney driver Joseph Mawson led the Australian charge during the opening day of competition at the opening round of the CIK-FIA World U18 Championship in Braga, Portgual.

After setting the third fastest time in his group in changeable conditions, Mawson was classified seventh overall to secure a second row start for his heat races. The Top Kart driver took full advantage of this position to claim a victory and two second places during his three heats across the day.

Jake Parsons also enjiyed a strong run throughout the day. In his first race outside of Australasia, Parsons crossed the line 12th in his opening heat race before finishing one spot higher during his second encounter and a 12th place in his third heat.

Competing in the Academy Trophy for 13 to 15 year old drivers from all across the globe Abela qualified in 24th position in the 48-driver field. Following a DNF in his opening heat race, the Sydneysider crossed the line in ninth and a 13th placing

With one round of heat races remaining before the pre-finals and finals Mawson is classified third and Parsons 36th in the Under 18 points standings, while Abela needs another strong result in his final heat race to ensure that he makes the 28-kart grid for the main events in the Academy Trophy.

To follow the action live via the CIK-FIA Live Timing please click here.

WHAT THE DRIVERS HAD TO SAY…..

Joseph Mawson – World Under 18 #49
Morning Practice Session – 1st
The Practice Session was wet. We out the wet tyres on changed the Kart a bit. Not knowing the rain lines on this track I was unsure on how I would go. I ended the session quickest by 0.501 secs which I was really happy with of course!

Qualifying Session – 3rd
The track dryed up for qualifying. So we put the slick tyres back on and went out. My kart was awesome but I never felt that I put a good lap in and having traffic when my kart was at peak. I ended up 3rd in my group which was surprised with, and 3rd overall in lap time but the grid system here is different. It works to not disadvantage people who had wet or slippery track, so I was classified 7th overall.

Heat 1 – 2nd
I started off 3rd and got an Alrite start. I was a few karts behind 2nd then overtook him 2 laps later followed by the leader. I then lead for a while till 4 laps to go then battle with another driver then I ran up his rear bumper which put me back to 3rd then I got back to 2nd with 2 laps left and finished there.

Heat 2 – 1st
I started 3rd again and got a great start into 2nd. I stayed behind the leader so that we would get away from the pack and waited for a good opportunity where I could overtake him and not slow us both down. I passed him with 7 laps left and managed to pull a gap slightly every lap to finished 1 sec in front.

Heat 3 – 2nd.
I started 4th which is bad because it is on the outside, but I got Fanatastic start and was into 4th then 3rd passing a guy into turn 1. I then passed 2nd 3 laps later and then charged to the leader Henry Eastwood who has been dominating the weekend so far, and got within 1 kart behind him. Then I kept the gap and 4 karts so that he would not block so that the guy behind me would not catch me and I could finish 2nd to be 3rd in the points for the grid positions for the Prefinal.

Jacob Parsons World Under 18 #50
It hasn’t been a bad start to the weekend, I had two 12ths and an 11th. Throughout the day we improved the setup dramatically but in the third heat but didn’t have the strength at the end of the day to capitalise because I’ve been struggling with food poisoning since I arrived over here and it’s still having an effect on me.

I’m looking forward to tomorrow, I think I’m about 20th on the points overall (as some drivers still have two heats left and others only have one) from what I’ve been told but not 100% sure.