Broughan on track in Europe

Blenheim karter Arthur Broughan enjoyed plenty of speed, but not much luck, as he began his European campaign in the Czech Republic recently.

Competing in the FIA Kart Academy Trophy series, Arthur set the fastest lap time but wound up eighth overall after the first round in Trinec, which will be followed by two further meets - in Rodby, Denmark and Cremona, Italy.

The FIA Karting Academy Trophy was created in 2010, inviting young drivers between 12 and 14 years from all over the globe, giving them an opportunity to pursue their career in karting or in motorsport.

Each country enters a karter for the three events, with identical chassis, engines and tyres provided, with drivers drawing lots for their equipment, and engines exchanged regularly during the event.

There is also limited mechanical support, one mechanic provided for each, and limited chassis adjustment.

Since 2010 several Academy karters have risen through to the highest levels of motorsport including F1 drivers Charles Leclerc, George Russell and Esteban Ocon.

In Trinec, Arthur was sixth in the warm-up, and won the first heat off pole on the first race day. Winners must swap their engine with a back of the field driver, but the young Kiwi was not allowed to start the replacement engine prior to going on to the grid for his next race.

Alas the engine would not start, and by the time they push-started, he was only able to join the rear of the grid.

“To be fair there was a fair bit of red mist for me at that stage and over the next 10 laps I managed to drive from 22nd place to seventh. That’s a drive I will remember for a long time,” he said. He also picked up a front bumper penalty to push him back to 12th.

The final race day began with a brilliant warm-up when the young Kiwi was fastest in 54.46s, and then qualified second in his group, with the fastest lap in the field of 54.605.

In the final he dropped to 12th, but worked his way up to fifth before a collision saw him dropping to 15th.

Arthur drove superbly from that point to finish seventh, although he did pick up a further 5sec penalty to slip back to 11tt.

He is relatively happy with his opening efforts. “I did the fastest lap in the final so grabbed some extra points there too,” said Arthur. “After a rough but very cool weekend I am eighth in the FIA Academy series points.

“Interestingly, I passed over 40 karts this weekend so that bit is sorted I just need to sort the starts.”

On the local scene, the annual Top of the South Sunbelts event took place on Saturday, with 102 competitors attending. Racing moved over the hill to Nelson on Sunday.