JK Racing Asia Series set for thrilling climax

New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) While the presence of two top Indian drivers Aditya Patel and Akhil Khushlani will inject some home interest, the concluding rounds of the JK Racing Asia Series to be run at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) as part of the Sidvin Festival of Speed this weekend will witness an intense three−way battle for the championship involving Nabil Jeffri from Malaysia, compatriot Afiq Ikhwan and South Africa’s Aston Hare.

The trio of Jeffri (184 points), rookie Hare (154) and Ikhwan (134) have dominated the championship, claiming wins as well as pole positions in the 12 rounds run thus far and balance four races over the weekend is unlikely to be any different.

The top three have to keep an eye on 24−year−old Patel who delivered two podium finishes in the previous round at the BIC last month and 23−year old Khushlani given their ability and skills, could well spoil the party of the front runners.

While Patel has returned to single−seater racing after an unproductive stint in saloon car series in Europe, Khushlani has been dabbling in various junior formula series, but marked his entry into the JK Asia series with a podium at Silverstone.

The 19−year old Jeffri believes that he is well prepared for a final assault on the championship as he took a break after finishing second behind Ikhwan in the first race of the previous round followed by a fourth in the next race.

“For me, all I am looking forward to is winning the Championship. I am just going to focus on trying to win the first two races, which will then seal the Championship for me,” said the 19−year old Jeffri.

Equally determined is Jeffri’s Euro International teammate 16−year−old Hare who sat out two runs at Silverstone with a broken leg that he suffered while playing football prior to the races. However, he bounced back to mark his return with a win in the second race at the BIC over the Indian Grand Prix weekend.

“About this weekend, I am looking forward to the four races. I just need to win all the remaining races. The pressure is still on and I am going to do my best. I am very familiar with the track, I won at the last event and I think to win the next one is not the biggest problem and my main focus is to win all the races and do a super perfect job. The rest I leave it up to destiny and luck,” said Hare.

As for 21−year−old Ikhwan of Team Meritus GP, two non−finishes at Silverstone proved a huge setback to his assault on the championship but cut down the deficit with three consecutive wins. However, he still has a lot of ground to cover this weekend.

IANS 2012-11-29 13:20:04