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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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The Grid.co.uk the national & club motor racing website - est1998 |
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mail your news to editorthegrid@yahoo.co.uk SECOND WORLD SUCCESS FOR DE VRIES WSK - WORLD SERIES – MILLVILLE - 01/08/2010
Recognised by the International Federation through the "FIA" label and a world-level title that will be awarded in October, the WSK World Series has become the not-to-miss event for Super KF, the top category of karting. This time Nyck De Vries, who will visit three continents during this 2010 season, headed to New Jersey, on the US East Coast. "The Millville international circuit is interesting, but not easy because it is a bit bumpy, has several chicanes and you do not get a lot of chances to overtake", Nyck commented. "We did our best to find the right adjustments for the track, so I could start immediately with the second best time in timed qualifying". Performances were again very good during the qualifying heats, with two partial victories, a second place, three best lap times in race and especially a pole position on the pre-final start grid. Unfortunately, that annoyed the 15-year-old Dutch driver. "I was pretty confident after my excellent time during warm-up. I took a good start, but soon I began to lose power. My engine power valve did not work as usual during the first laps and I found my self around 9th. After a few minutes, my engine went back to normal and I was able to work my way up to fourth, again with the best lap time". To be on the safe side, De Vries' racing team changed the engine for the final and Nyck launched his attack. He took another excellent start and was soon right behind the leader, Armand Convers. "I saw we were the fastest on the track. My goal was first of all to remain alone with him in the lead of the race and avoid attacks from the pack. Then, I just waited for the right opportunity". A strategy that paid off, because Nyck De Vries managed to take full control of the race. "Then I pushed a bit more to increase the gap, and it worked..." With the best absolute time in the final, again! In Millville, the driver supported by McLaren F1 team honoured the typically American decoration of his kart, "Yes we can", which was written on the bodywork. Yes, Nyck actually made it, with some precious help from his team and his very competitive Zanardi-Parilla. After this second victory in a row in the WSK World Series, he will come to the final in Egypt, in October, as the leader of the championship. Meanwhile, the talented Dutch driver will buckle down to work to get ready for the much awaited CIK/FIA World Championship, to be held in Spain in September.
De Vries wins on WSK World Series debut
Nyck De Vries started the WSK World Series just as he had finished the Euro Series: with a victory! From the highest step of the podium, the Chiesa Corse driver could only be happy about the way he conquered this success. "Already during free practice, I found myself in the lead pack, but I was not entirely satisfied, because of the gap that separated me from the race leader. There was also the difficult start in the second heat. Starting outside is really a handicap in Portimao and I lost several places that I could not regain. In addition to that, my tyres degraded too fast. I had to mount my spare tyres already in the second heat, while my rivals waited until the third. With the team, we analysed the situation and the data available and we managed to define the right set-up. I immediately felt it in the third heat, which I won. The chassis had become perfectly suited to the circuit characteristics". Nyck was the fastest on track, but he could not repeat his performance in the pre-final. "I was once again on the outside of the front row and the drivers on my right gave me no chance to cut in. Fifth place was the best I could do. But in the final I was on the inside and I made an excellent start. I quickly reached the second place and I did the forcing to catch up on Armand Convers, the leader". After a great overtaking move made possible by his perfectly mastered late braking technique, Nyck was not worried anymore. Congratulated by some participants in the World WTCC Championship, including his compatriot Tom Coronel, who was driving in the nearby car circuit hosted in the same structure, Nyck De Vries really wanted to thank wholeheartedly his team, his partners and his family. The young driver (15), already supported by McLaren F1, took advantage of the situation to conquer the lead of the WSK World Series, a few weeks away from the Millville (New Jersey), in the United Stated. Dino Chiesa (team manager): "Nyck is an extremely talented driver, there is no doubt about it. His team and himself knew the equipment perfectly well, because they have used a Zanardi-Parilla for three years now. There is no need to talk a lot to understand each other perfectly well. In addition to that, he has great racing intelligence. He is also good at earning the respect and sympathy of the paddock with his behaviour and commitment. With all due allowance, he reminds me of Valentino Rossi. He has shown in each single race his great charisma, which is important to succeed in car sports later. And I am sure he will succeed!"
WSK - EURO SERIES Sarno Italy 06 June New Success in Super KF
Just a few months ago, Nyck De Vries did not think he could win so many trophies in his first half-season. "I came from KF3, so my aim was to improve and gradually become more competitive to fight for victory. All things considered, a second place in the WSK Euro Series on my first season in Super KF is a great satisfaction for me. We decided to maintain our little independent structure despite the fact that we had to face major factory teams and we showed we are capable of some nice things. I would like to thank all my technical partners and all the people who are with me and support me". After winning in Genk (Belgium), Nyck De Vries arrived in Sarno with confidence at its highest. 6th after the first timed qualifying session, he climbed to 2nd place in the Super Pole. Then, in each of the heats, the driver from Chiesa Corse set the best lap time in race. "Unfortunately there were several minor collisions in the pack and I lost a few precious places, so I was only 8th on the pre-final starting grid". Luckily enough, Nyck's competitiveness and his Zanardi-Parilla did wonders and he went back to second place. "In the final race, I applied the strategy defined together with Dino Chiesa, my team manager, to the letter. I managed to make the best start and I pushed during the whole race to keep my first place, and again I set the best lap time". He left behind the winner of the WSK Euro Series 2010 and two former World Champions, i.e. three drivers who are much more experience than he is! "During the Championship, the puncture in Lonato, in March, cost me dearly, it was there that I probably lost the title. But Armand Convers was very strong this year, he was fast and regular. Now that there are only some weeks to go before the debut of the WSK World Series, this is a great result for me". Nyck Loves Karting! At the foot of the Vesuvius, Nyck De Vries appeared with a new decoration and a new suit. "In 2010, I planned to race in events organised by the International Federation, and by the WSK (both Euro Series and World Series), more or less as I had done over the last two years in KF3. Unfortunately, several constructors decided not to enter the European Championship, which was cancelled, and the World Championship seems to be going down the same path. The WSK series are very well organised and are top-level, but this situation significantly reduced the number of races for this season. As a consequence, with my white suit, I wanted to convey a peace message, to show all my love for karting and competition, regardless of whether races are organised by the CIK/FIA or the WSK!"
On World Cup podium
Unlike many of his regular European rivals, Nyck De Vries chose to take his trip to Japan to face a pack mostly composed of Asian drivers of very good level, just as drivers such as Jarno Trulli, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Lewis Hamilton - former winners of the World Cup - had done before him. "This season, there are not many races in the Super KF category. So I thought it was important to be at this world-level event. I had already discovered the Suzuka circuit last year. I had finished second in the Junior-Yamaha race and had kept a very pleasant memory of it. It was also an opportunity for me to try the special, very soft rubber tyres".
In the first qualifying heat, it did not take Nyck De Vries (Zanardi-Parilla) long to climb up the standings. He finished second, with second best lap time in race. Pushed by another driver, he was only 9th in the second heat and then third in the last. Although the track remained dry on Saturday, rain kept falling on Sunday. "In the pre-final race, I made a good start from my fourth place. Then, soon water entered the engine and I lost power. I could not do anything against my team mate Oliver Rowland and I crossed the finishing line second". In the final race, the track was even more drenched with rain. "Driving in these conditions was not easy at all. There were many puddles and a lot of aquaplaning, even along straight stretches! Together with the team, we tried to find a way to protect the engine, but unfortunately that was not enough. Some water entered the carburettor and the engine frequently lost power. Oliver did a great job and deserves this victory, but I hoped I could keep the second place I occupied at the beginning of the race. In the end, a Japanese driver overtook me and I did everything I could to keep my third place despite pressure from another driver. I wanted to achieve a double success for Chiesa Corse, but this podium in a World Cup is still an excellent result. A big thank you to the whole team!" ( © Photo FFK )
RECOGNITION IN THE FORM OF VICTORY! GENK
Every new race gives Nyck De Vries the opportunity to show how talented he is with a wheel in his hands. However, many things happened east of Brussels, so much so that it became essential to stay perfectly focussed and to act with clear-sightedness to emerge from a pack gathering the best kart drivers in the world. With his conqueror's spirit and a driving style always aiming to perfection, Nyck managed to change the situation to his advantage in Belgium, even when circumstances were unfavourable. "During timed qualifying, I tried to go as high as I could in the standings", Nyck commented. "I was not satisfied with the 8th place I was occupying after the first session on track. My team and I found the perfect adjustment for the Super Pole and this time I set the best absolute time". After some little push in the first heat, unfortunately, Nyck could not take advantage of his first place for long. "My three qualifying races did not go very well. I was often delayed by some crush in the pack. So, in the pre-final I only started from 6th place". However, his performance turned out to be extremely satisfactory, as proven by one of the best laps he ever performed. Thanks to accurate information provided by the driver, technicians Tom Stevens and Dino Chiesa perfectly adjusted his Zanardi-Parilla no. 10. Revenge began. "In the pre-final, I had an excellent start and I was soon duelling against drivers such as Cooper, Camponeschi, Cesetti, Convers and World Champions Ardigo and Kozlinski. It was a close fight. I had to remain focussed all the time and exploit every overtaking opportunity, it was very exciting. After well managing the slippery track of the first days, I felt I had an advantage over them and I won this first round". The final race had just that same intensity, with another victory waiting around the corner... and a nice explosion of joy! "I have won many races in KF3 over the last two years, including the European Championship and the WSK, but winning in Super KF is a completely different feeling. Everything is so professional, so difficult, that I am even happier for this success. A big thank you to the whole team, our efforts have beenrewarded".
With a second place in the provisional standings and a gap reduced to 23 points that separates him from the leader Convers, the 15-year old Dutch driver is determined to continue along this very positive path in the WSK Euro Series. In the meantime, Nyck De Vries will be at the Super KF World Cup in Suzuka (Japan), where he will give it all to achieve another victory...
Super Nyck in Super FK
Nyck De Vries was happy to be back in Spain, on the Zuera circuit, near Saragossa, where the young Dutch driver achieved some success. At the end of 2008, it was there that he fought for victory in the WSK and then conquered the title of European KF3 (Junior) Champion last year. "The circuit is a lot more difficult than it looks", Nyck admitted. "There are long straight stretches where you need a very long gear ratio, which however penalises you in the bends. So it is fundamental to perfectly adjust one's kart and exploit at best the power of the engine". Nick worked closely with his technical team and analysed all data acquired to leave nothing to chance in free practice, making the best adjustments to his Zanardi chassis and his new Parilla engine. In timed qualifying Nyck De Vries was second, a place he maintained at the end of the qualifying heats. "Drivers using Vortex engines were fast in Zuera, especially Armand Convers who was my toughest rival of the weekend". The pre-final confirmed his impressions and the young Dutchman was on the attack within the lead pack. Once again, his late braking allowed him overtake his rivals and Nyck crossed the finish line in second place. "Convers opened a gap at the start of the race. I posted the best lap of the race, but the gap was too big". Inot the final race and tensions increased, "At the flying start, Convers took me by surprise by accelerating very early and the whole internal row took advantage of that. So I had to fight hard at the start of the race and to overtake several drivers to regain my second place. I posted another best lap time, but was unable to reach Convers who, again, had taken advantage of the situation to gain more ground". Thanks to this performance, the driver from Chiesa Corse was again on the podium in the Super KF category. Three of the five WSK Euro Series meetings have already been held and Nyck is in third place in the standings. Next WSK round is in Genk, Belgium on 8-9 May. De Vries takes podium in Super KF in Italy
Already fast at the Winter Cup, at the wheel of his Zanardi-Parilla from Chiesa Corse Team, he quickly confirmed his excellent form by mounting the second step of the podium at the start of the WSK Euro Series, just behind double world champion Ardigo. De Vries has impressed observers from the start of this season but it is bound to be difficult. "My last season in KF3 has been really great, with many victories and performances always at the top. Then, I had to make a choice. Passing to KF2 was a good opportunity, but my team and circle thought I could learn a lot more by going straight to Super KF. For me, it means additional motivation". Nyck’s kart in a big improvement over his old KF3 machine, with softer tyres giving better grip, a chassis with a front brake with manual control and an engine close to 35 HP revving to 16,000 rpm rather than the 14,000 of the last two years. "I really enjoy driving this kart. The brakes, the power and the tyre grip: I love it! Technically speaking, I consider my data collection job even more interesting". On track,Nyck has adapted well from the very first race in Italy "Constantly changing weather conditions made things more complicated in Lonato. I did my best to set the second best lap in the final. More than by my 14th place, I felt reassured by my level of performance". The first round of the WSK Euro Series (7 March) came just at the right time to boost his confidence. In Muro Leccese (Southern Italy) he immediately showed his potential by taking pole and he only one place at the Super Pole before winning he first qualifying heat and coming second in the next. An ignition problem in the final heat relegated him to 12th on the pre-final grid, but he fought back to fourth after an exciting series of passes. In the final, he engaged in a duel against the leaders leaving nothing to chance! "I was very fast, my equipment went better and better lap after lap. Then, I passed Convers, but he passed me back and Ardigo took advantage of the situation to gain a little advantage. In the end, I regained the second place, but victory was out of reach. I am very satisfied of the weekend anyway and I am happy I could offer this result to McLaren; I am very thankful to them for the trust they placed in me. A great thank you to my team as well as to Dino Chiesa, Zanardi and Iame for their help". The young Dutchman is second in the WSK provisional standings.
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After
Portugal, Nyck De Vries (Zanardi/Parilla) went to conquer America, with
a firm intention to repeat his success in Super KF, at the first round
of the WSK World Series. On the Millville circuit, which he saw for the
first time, the young Dutch karter from Chiesa Corse triumphed despite a
fourth-place start and improved his championship standing. 
Nyck
De Vries inaugurated the new WSK World Series with a victory on the the
Portimao circuit in Portugal. The young Dutch driver’s confidence and
determination grew more and more during the meeting, so much so that he
dominated the final. It was with a 3.5 second lead and fastest lap in
race that De Vries crossed the finish line as winner on his
Zanardi-Parilla. 
With
two victories and two second places in five races plus the runner-up
spot in the Championship, Nyck De Vries can draw a very positive
assessment of his participation in the WSK Euro Series in Super KF. The
young Dutch driver is a rookie in the category but that did not prevent
him from duelling with the best drivers, in addition to finishing his
championship with a brilliant success in Sarno (Italy). 
Nyck
De Vries and the drivers who entered the World Cup for Super KF had to
face dantesque conditions in Japan, on Sunday, May 23. The Suzuka
circuit was under a heavy downpour of rain and made the situation more
complicated for drivers. Karts suffered in those conditions, too, and
Nyck also paid his toll. But the young Dutch kartman never gave up and
fought like a lion to climb on the third step of the podium of this
world meeting.
As
soon as he started his practice, Nyck had to learn how to manage his
quota of available tyres and not to wear them too quickly. "I did not
drive much on Thursday and I was counting on Friday to add the finishing
touches to my kart adjustments. Unfortunately, I suffered some
mechanical breakages and I had to run-in the engines again. Despite all
this, I felt totally confident about the official timed qualifying
session, but the carburettor did not perform as usual and I had to
content myself with 5th place though I was aiming for the pole
position". 
A
driver who wins on his 5th appearance at a Super KF meeting, the elite
category of international karting, is a rare enough event to make
noteworthy. Nyck De Vries (Zanardi-Parilla) achieved this exploit after
a race managed with a master's hand on the Genk circuit, in Belgium. As
a result, the Dutch driver took second place in the WSK Euro Series and
he is now ready for fight for the title at the final meeting, to be held
in Italy in June. 
After
the cancellation of the European Championship, the WSK Euro Series has
become a reference point for top-level international karting. Nyck De
Vries races in Super FK, where the young Dutch driver battles
shoulder-to-shoulder with some experienced drivers. Despite his rookie
status he already has a second place from Italy and another in Spain.
Victory looks closer than ever. 