Ed Brand’s pre-season preparations were given a major boost when he took a superb Junior Rotax win at Whilton Mill (27 January). The Dagnall youngster’s victory at the Northamptonshire circuit came just a week after taking a fine third place at PFi, Lincolnshire (20 January), earning him further praise from team boss, Paul Carr.
Ed says: “Paul said he was very happy with my performance and that it was my best with the team so far. And that I’d made no mistakes.”
In his three heats, Ed signaled his intent by taking 2nd, 5th and 6th places, which gave him 2nd spot on the grid for the final. At the start, Ed got the jump on poleman Tom Ingram and quickly opened up a lead of some two to three kart-lengths. Although chased hard by Ingram, Ed’s run to the chequered flag was largely uneventful. That was until two laps from the finish, when he came to lap a backmarker. Ed takes up the story: “I’d come up behind the tail-ender but decided not to risk over-taking him at the first opportunity. I waited and followed him through a corner. This allowed Tom to close in on me but I made my move at the next bend. I got through cleanly but in order to give me the room, the other guy baulked Tom and allowed me to re-open the gap”.
It was an intelligent move that drew the admiration of Carr. “Paul asked me: ‘was that deliberate?’ and I just said: ‘Oh yeah!’” Ed beamed later.
At the previous weekend’s race, Ed had faced stern opposition from many older, more experienced and bigger drivers – including British Open Champion, Joseph Reilly – but his combination of “risky moves, and some safe ones” saw the 13-year old earn a deserved 3rd place.
Ed’s campaign of club races will continue throughout February prior to the first Super 1 race on March 16th. Ed says of his chances: “This is possibly going to be my toughest year in karting yet. But I’ve got a great team behind me and if the results keep coming like they have been, I should be in with a shout.”
Check out Ed’s website www.edbrandracing.net for the latest news. |
