Mackenzie Taylor maintained his 100% Winter Series record with a finely taken victory in the second round at Shenington, Oxfordshire (2 December).
Over 45 drivers entered the KF3-class, with Mackenzie very much the man to beat, following his recent string of victories since joining RFM. Mackenzie says: “It was great to win the first round. But in some ways it puts pressure on you. You have to do it again to prove that the first one wasn’t a fluke.”
Any suggestion that his previous Winter Series win may have been down to luck was soon dismissed when he won the first heat, driving from 12th place on the grid. In the second, he came from 22nd place to finish 3rd - sealing a front-row start for the final - “Practice had been wet, first heat was particularly wet and by the time of the second, the track was drying but still very damp. When we came out for the final it was bone dry on the racing line, but there were tricky damp bits off line. At the start, John (Norris) forced me wide onto the damp stuff, so I couldn’t get traction and drive around the outside of him. But this let Rikki Gordon through his inside and into the lead” says Mackenzie.
Taylor passed Norris on the second lap and set about reducing Gordon’s lead. Having caught him, Mackenzie tucked in behind and began to pile on the pressure. The trick worked, Gordon made a mistake, slithering off line and allowing Taylor through. From there, the Ashford-based teenager banged in a series of quick laps to put a cushion between himself and the pursuing pack, to take a comfortable victory.
Despite being all smiles as he stood on the podium, Mackenzie revealed that he doesn’t think he can go on and seal the Winter Series crown: “It’s a bit frustrating because we’ll be away for two of the remaining three rounds. There’s a very slim chance I could take the title if I win the last round. So that’ll be an exciting race to watch!”
Before then though, Mackenzie and the RFM will be competing in this weekend’s Copa Campeones (Champion’s Cup). He says: “I can’t wait. I’ve never raced there before but from what I’ve heard it’s going to be a great event. I’ve already raced and beaten some of the guys who’re going there so, we’ll just have to see.”
Team boss Ricky Flynn says: “It’s going to be very tough. All the top boys are doing it - but bring it on. I think we’ll be alright. |
