Viva Kerr!
Valencia. April 18. Sun, high winds, dry track. 20 laps
= 80.1km, Best lap: Kerr 1’28’’539 soit 162,84 km/h
With Pasini back on row two*, it was Belicchi who started Sunday’s
Super Sprint on pole. Next to him for the rolling start was the ever-present
current championship leader Ryan Sharp. As the race got underway with
no hitches, Belicchi managed to hold the lead for just one lap, Sharp
slicing past the Italian in a fantastic overtaking manoeuvre. With him
went Robert Bell (David Price Racing) while Robbie Kerr – who started
back in 11th on the grid – was notching up the fastest lap times
to move up to fourth place after just three laps.
As they crossed the line for the fifth time it was
an all-British trio leading the pack, with disappointment further down
the field for Proetto, Scafuro and Bellarosa, who were all forced to retire.
The second Super Sprint of the year was amazingly intense. Belicchi (AFC
Motorsport) and Mondini (EuroInternational) dazzled us with some superb
braking manoeuvres, with Campaniço (Cram Competition), Danielsson
(SRTS) and Lorgere Roux equally impressive as they battled it out.
At the front, Sharp was steady and looked to be on his way to a second
race win of the year, having just missed out in Saturday’s Grand
Race.
But Kerr was on a flier as he pulled away from his countryman Bell, his
sights firmly set on closing in on Sharp.
While Mondini moved up into fourth place past Belicchi, Sharp’s
lead was melting under the Spanish sun. Just one second separated him
from Kerr going into the final lap, with Sharp taking control and holding
the Englishman back at a respectable distance. But Kerr out-braked the
Scotsman going into the last turn and moved up into the lead just in time
to take the chequered flag. “To start back in 11th then go on to
win was a dream, but I believed I could do it because the team had been
working tremendously to make the car just right. They trust me and I trust
them and I fully intend to catch Ryan in the championship.”
For the Scotsman, Sunday’s second place had a trace of bitterness.
“I’m really disappointed for myself, but mostly for the team
who’d given me a car to win with. I could have closed the door on
Robbie, but I preferred to settle for the points rather than risk an accident.
But I’m very disappointed this evening.”
*Following the second qualifying session, the Sporting Stewards decided
to discount Pasini’s fastest three times due to a non-compliance
issue.
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