Patrick is top Brit
PATRICK Pearce is celebrating after finishing sixth in the Karting World Finals which took place in Italy last weekend. The former Beaumont school pupil, whose crash helmet bears the crest of St Albans, was the highest ranked Brit in the 72-driver field w
PATRICK Pearce is celebrating after finishing sixth in the Karting World Finals which took place in Italy last weekend.
The former Beaumont school pupil, whose crash helmet bears the crest of St Albans, was the highest ranked Brit in the 72-driver field which included competitors from 43 different nations.
Patrick was unique at the finals having never driven for a professional karting team and reached the finals with the support of his Dad Rob, and his close friends.
Karts were allotted at the finals on a lottery basis and competitors were limited in what they could do to change the set-up.
The 20 year old was quick in practice but was disappointed to only qualify in 26th position. He raced well in the heats to qualify for the pre-final in 15th position which took place on Sunday morning before the main final.
A good performance in the pre-final saw him elevated to 11th on the grid for the main event.
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The final took place over 32 kilometres and Patrick did extremely well to battle his way to sixth. The St Albans racer did get up to fourth position at one point but a battle with American Stuart Marsell saw him forced wide and relegated down the field.
Patrick, who is currently doing an apprenticeship in engineering at Bureau Veritas in Acrewood Way, St Albans, was delighted with his performance and said: "We were very pleased with the result which now gives me a world ranking of six, but I now know that I have the ability to improve on this given a level playing field.
