Young French driver Jimmy Hélias continues to impress in the top-tier of world karting. And not just by his performances! Third at Sarno at the end of 2022 on his first outing in the premium category, third again at Lonato at the beginning of February and second yesterday at Franciacorta, his consistent podium finishes are beginning to really make people sit up and take notice! All the more so as after four races his worst result is a fourth place! But Jimmy’s no flash in the pan. Instead, he’s the real deal who’s determined to forge a place for himself among the front-runners.
How did Jimmy progress to the second step of the podium at Franciacorta?
Hélias set a searing pace on the Lombard circuit located between Milan and Lake Garda right from the start of the practice sessions. When the official part of the event began, he posted the eighth-fastest time in qualifying and then moved steadily up the time sheets in the qualifying heats, which he finished in fifth place before the final. “We used the three heats to test different setups and achieve the best possible preparation for the final,” explained the driver from Normandy. “From my fifth spot on the grid, I gained two places at the start and I quickly got past Enzo Tarnvanichkul (the Thai driver is the reigning Junior world champion backed by Red Bull, Ed). I pulled away from him and closed the gap to the leader, David Walther. I finished second and victory escaped me by only four-tenths of a second. I think that with another three laps, I could have hassled him and maybe won the race!”
What is the importance of such a race?
At present, the top international drivers are taking part in preparatory events, which attract almost all those who will then compete in the official CIK-FIA (international federation, Ed) races. This weekend 71 competitors participated in OK at Franciacorta, which will host the world championship in the category this coming 8th October. “I really love this track,” said Jimmy, “it’s fast and technical at the same time and you have to drive very cleanly to go quickly.” And that’s one of the young Frenchman’s best qualities which enables him to optimise tyre management. He has shown this skill in his most recent races with his storming finishes!
What’s life like in the Swedish team, Ward Racing?
The life of a 14-year-old top-level kart driver means that he spends a lot of time at the tracks with his team. Besides the boss Joakim Ward and his daughter Rebecca who looks after Ward Racing’s organisation, Jimmy works with a mechanic called Roman, and there’s also the engine tuner Pere, and Karol who gathers and analyses the data. Since the start of their association at the end of 2022, driver and team have been working together in absolute harmony and the results speak for themselves! A rookie scoring three podiums in WSK in the toughest category is a rarely-seen phenomenon! Jimmy is reveling in this supportive ambience. He has confidence in himself; he doesn’t make any mistakes and he seems fully at ease in all aspects of the game. Of course, this doesn’t exclude the fact that he’s continually calling himself into question because his rivals certainly haven’t thrown in the towel!
What are the upcoming events on the calendar?
This week, Jimmy will test at Valencia in Spain before racing in the third round of the WSK Master Series on 3 - 5 March at Sarno near Naples. He is currently lying third in the provisional classification. He will be back again at Valencia between 10 – 12 March for a preparatory race for the first event in the European Championship scheduled for 24 - 26 March on the same circuit.
