Jordy Van Dort, Justin Thielecke and Talal Al Khoder of VDR Racing delivered a stellar team performance on Sunday night (4 December) en route to a comeback victory in Round Two of the Senior Emirates Schools Karting Championship (ESKC).
After two rounds, VDR Racing now leads the Senior Nomad Cup Challenge, a category for teams composed of drivers from mixed schools.
When the start lights went out for the 60-minute endurance race, VDR set the early pace and nailed pole position in qualifying with a best lap time of 1:11.282. Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) Arabian Ranches was right behind with a best time of 1:11.702.
After a few laps in VDR Racing lost its pole advantage when a pack of five karts reeled in the leader and vied for the top spot, with the veteran team of JESS Arabian Ranches eventually taking control.
Strategy and team pit stop execution are critical for any ESKC success, and after a series of driver changes throughout the race, it was clear which teams had been practising. Despite losing the lead during the middle part of the contest, by the end of it, VDR made it look easy, cruising in past the chequered flag 14.223 seconds in front of DESC Team 4 and 18.477 seconds ahead of third place JESS Arabian Ranches. VDR Racing’s Justin Thielecke also set the fastest lap of the evening with a blistering time of 1:10.834. With the overall win, VDR Racing topped the Senior Nomad Category podium. Young Emirati ace Rashid Al Awadhi from P1 Racing took home second place silverware, while the defending Nomad Cup Challenge champions Ghost Racing managed just third. In the main Senior ESKC Category, teams comprised of drivers from one school, DESC Team 4 took top honours for the evening, just ahead of JESS Arabian Ranches in second and Repton School in third. JESS Arabian Ranches still retains its lead in the Senior ESKC Challenge.
