From the Townsville Bulletin (http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2012/10/24/368521_sport.html)
DRIVEN: Townsville’s Josh Smith recovered from a mishap for an impressive finish in the CIK- FIA Asia Pacific KF3 Championship. Pic: Townsville Bulletin
THE experience of racing against some of the best drivers in Asia has Townsville karter Josh Smith desperate for more.
Smith, 15, impressed in his first international competition at the CIK- FIA Asia Pacific KF3 Championship in Macau last weekend, finishing in seventh position.
The Kosmic Racing Australia member could have finished even higher if not for an accident on the hectic first corner in the final, meaning he had to fight his way back from 12th spot.
Smith was one of three Australians racing in Macau, which held the second round of the CIK-FIA World Karting Championship simultaneously. It was the first time in 20 years a team with Australian drivers and mechanics had competed in the prestigious event.
The teenager said he was a little disappointed to finish back in seventh, after running near the top of the standings through qualifying and the pre- final, but was still proud of how well he had done.
‘‘I started off fourth and on the first turn my nose cone got stuck in between the rear wheel and the rear bumper of the kart in front of me and I couldn’t pull my nose cone out,’’ Smith said.
‘ I was trying to pull it but it took a while and I finally got it out and everybody was well gone and I had to concentrate on getting back up.’’
Father Barry, who travelled over for the championships, said the different weight rules affected the Australian team, meaning that Josh was 7kg heavier than the allowed total weight.
While that held him back with speed, Barry said his son’s driving ability had kept him in the game.
That fact was reinforced through a compliment from the team of winning driver Jehan Daruvala of India, signed to Formula 1 outfit Sahara Force India.
‘‘His mechanic said to us that we’re glad your guy is 7kg over because otherwise he would be the one who was winning, because of his driving ability,’’ Smith senior said.
The Macau experience has the Ignatius Park College student keen for more international driving experience and he has been eyeing off a start at next year’s European Championships.
Smith said the biggest thing he took from his international debut was learning about racecraft and getting to the handling of the kart better, as well as seeing a different style of driving.
‘‘ They’re ( Asian karters) a bit more competitive and willing to put the pass in,’’ Smith said.
‘‘ When they go for the pass, they just throw it in ( rather than waiting for the best time like Australian drivers).’’
Smith will continue to work on his fitness and practise at the track in Townsville over the summer, traditionally the off- season for Australian motorsport.
