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Spanish Open Championship

Rain in Spain fails to foil Hale 

Spanish Open Championship front-runner Mitchell Hale claimed a vital 2nd place at Campillos last weekend (27/28 September) to keep up the pressure on his two main title-rivals Carlos Sainz and Gerard Barrabeig. 

Following a strong performance in qualifying - where he was 7th overall - before taking 6th and 2nd place finishes in his two heats, the Bristol youngster found himself setting his kart down on the 3rd row of the grid for the first final.

The drama and tension was heightened when, after the ‘1 minute to go’ board had been shown, the ’30 second’ board was delayed by rain suddenly falling. Despite mechanics sprinting into the paddock to collect rain tyres, the field was released onto the circuit for a formation lap. 

In the difficult conditions and ensuing melee at the first corner, Hale dropped down to 12th position before climbing back to his original 5th place.  

“People were spinning off as the rain fell heavily. I had to adopt completely different lines and that helped me. It was really good fun actually. I was reasonably pleased (with 5th) because it gave me good points for the championship and a half-decent grid position for the second final.” 

At the start, the JRP driver made the error of trying to drive round the outside of the first corner at the start and could only watch as several drivers came past him on the inside. “Mark (Berryman, boss of JRP) had something to say about that!”

Mitchell added, “I got my head together after a couple of laps and started to move forward. By mid-race I had passed four drivers and was now 3rd. I caught the then 2nd-placed driver, Mark Megens but by the time I’d got past him, (Gerard) Barrabeig had got away. I was closing him down but ran out of laps before I could catch him.” 

Reflecting on the race, Mitch had mixed emotions, saying; “If I hadn’t made that mistake at the start, I think I would’ve caught him (Barrabeig). I’m disappointed because I think I could’ve won. Still, I’m happy for the points and just have to learn to cut out the mistakes in the future.” 

This weekend (4/5 October), Mitchell will race in the final round of the Winning Series Karting championship at the superb Zuera track, in Spain. Looking ahead to the race, he said, “I think we can go there and be fast. I’m hoping for a good weekend. It’s a huge track and should be fun. If I can get a top ten, that’ll give me confidence. We’ve struggled in recent races but hopefully after Campillos, we’ve turned a corner.”

2nd round of the Spanish Open championship

Hale on podium in Spain - but says “I could’ve done better” 

Mitchell Hale took a superb 3^rd place at Cartaya in Southern Spain last Sunday (22 June), but believes that he should have done better – despite scorching temperatures of over 40 degrees. 

The 14-year old KF3 driver was competing in the second round of the Spanish Open Championship.  

The Bristol teenager delivered a strong performance in timed qualifying, not that he was entirely happy about it - “I was 10^th overall (out of 64) and 5^th in my group. I didn’t drive very well” he said, demonstrating the exacting standards he expects of himself. 

In his two heats, Mitchell took a 5^th - and then came back from a collision (dropping down to 15^th) before taking 9^th at the chequered flag. These results put him on the 4^th row of the grid for the pre-final. 

“I started 8^th but didn’t get a very good start and lost a few places” he said. Sticking to his task, he fought his way back through the field to steal 9^th at the finish. 

Although starting further back than he would have liked (on the 5^th row), Mitchell did have the vital inside line for the first corner. But as the pack hammered their way into the first corner, he was forced to try some unconventional racing lines. 

“I went into the (right-hand) first bend on the inside, but it then tightens before flicking left – which put me on the outside. I was forced over the kerbs and onto the grass, but just kept my foot on the gas and only lost one place. From there, I went forward and worked my way into 5^th place. I got into 3^rd on the very last lap, when the two drivers ahead of me ran into each other and I nicked through!” 

“It was quite good (to take 3^rd) but I could’ve done better. If I’d been faster in qualifying, then I would’ve been further up the grid for my heats. Don’t get me wrong, I am pleased - but I think I could’ve won if everything had been right at the beginning.” 

Asked about how he coped with the heat, he said: “It was very hot which made things quite hard. It was really, really hot inside my racesuit but my fitness paid off.”  

Mitchell now faces two weeks of testing in Portugal and Spain in readiness for the European Championship at Alcaniz in Spain on 13 July, where he hopes to make it through to the finals at Braga in Portugal on 3 August. 

“Last year, I got through and was 20^th overall in the finals. This time, I’d like to be at the front. I’m hoping that it’ll be a lot better than last time. I’ve now got the team and the kit to do it”

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