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Dixon Shines in France to Claim European Title Chance (INT)

Press Release

Kent kart racer, James Dixon, took a superb fourth place, narrowly missing out on a podium finish at the French circuit of Essay in the European Championship qualification meeting at the weekend. However, the result means that the Candy Carriers backed ace gained an automatic entry into the finals in just under a month’s time.

Dixon

James Dixon
Pic: © Chris Walker/Kartpix

The JRP Racing Team driver showed his rivals his pace right from the word go when the action got underway on Saturday. James set the second fastest time in qualifying then followed that up with a superb victory in the opening KF2 heat.

In his second heat, he once again took a podium place, finishing in third place. He was again heading for the last step on the podium in the final heat, but was taken out late in the race and had to settle for 25th place, putting him 15th on the grid for the first of the two finals.

In the first race on Sunday, James was unlucky to get caught up in the opening lap chaos, which dropped him all the way back to 28th place. An incredible drive back through the field meant that he was able to cross the line back in his original grid position of 15th.

In the second final, a great start allowed him to jump from 15th to sixth on the opening lap. A move into fifth quickly followed. But, he was forced to spend a number of laps finding a way past his next rival for fourth place, which allowed the top three to move out of reach by the time he had gained the place.

However, James was pleased with his performance over the weekend and happy that he had qualified for the European finals at the start of August.

“I’m really happy with my pace over the weekend,” he said. “We started off really quick in qualifying and to then go out and win the opening heat was a perfect start to the weekend. In the second final I got a great start and I think I had the pace to win it, but I got stuck getting past the driver for fourth place. By the time I’d moved ahead the top three were two second up the road and I couldn’t make that up.”

“My only aim before coming here was to make it into the finals next month and I’m very pleased to have done that. I want to carry this pace through for the rest of the season now,” he added.

James has no time to relax and enjoy his successful weekend, with this final round of the Italian Open Masters Championship taking place next weekend, before the Kartmasters Grand Prix and then the European Finals, all within a handful of weeks.

“I’m going out to Italy with the aim to take two podium finishes next weekend,” he said. “I can’t take any of the top places in the championship now, but I want to keep the momentum going from here for the remainder of the season,” he added.

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