Seefeld triumphs in heroic solo effort despite point penalty
After three rounds the Swiss International Scientific School of Dubai (SISD) has set the benchmark of success in the Emirates Schools Karting Championship (ESKC) Junior Class, with all three of its teams in contention to win it all in the final round.
Despite unfortunate circumstances, the SISD teams found a way to come out on top. In the ESKC Junior Round Three on Sunday night (5 March) at Dubai Kartdrome it was Paul Seefeld who single-handedly delivered victory for SISD Team 3.
Seefeld’s teammate, Enzo Al Azhari, was out of action for the evening, so the team was forced to take a ten point penalty deduction for not fielding both drivers. He needed to drive near perfect over four races to have any hopes of making the podium.
Seefeld made a great start of it in Race One, working his way from eleventh on the grid into contention for the lead. Constantin Reisch, of SISD Team 2, fared even better, rocketing from seventeenth on the grid to first place, winning the race by 8.318 seconds over Seefeld. Iya Seys of Dubai International Academy claimed third.
Seefeld struck back in Race Two, quickly taking control of the field and sailing in for the win a full 21.959 seconds ahead of James Bernard of JT Racing. Adam Al Azhari of SISD Team 1 was just behind to secure third.
For Race Three, Seefeld was again in the mix, but this time Keanu Al Azhari of SISD Team 1 would make him battle it out. Seefeld came out of the scuffle on top and crossed the finish line 3.235 ahead of Al Azhari. Iya Seys of Dubai International Academy had another great drive but again had to settle for third place behind the two Swiss schools.
The relentless pace finally started wear down the lone driver for SISD Team 3, and the fight for the lead was fierce in Race Four, with Seefeld dropping into fourth. Keanu Al Azhari of SISD Team 2 had an astonishing run, starting from eighteenth on the grid and weaving his way up into the lead.
However, Constantin Reisch once again proved his mettle for SISD Team 2, finding his was around Al Azhari and taking victory by 2.809 seconds. Harry Hannam of Dubai English Speaking School (DESS) Team 1 seized third just 1.533 seconds ahead of Seefeld.
When the points of the four races were tallied Paul Seefeld still had enough to take victory for SISD Team 3, despite the ten point penalty deduction. His 113 points total pipped SISD Team 1 by a single point. SISD Team 2 rounded out the podium with 110 points.
Seefeld said: “It feels really good, especially that I got the ten point penalty. I feel proud and I’m happy to make the school win again.”
Paul Seefeld will need more inspiring drives in the future, as SISD Team 1 still leads the ESKC Junior Championship over SISD Team 3 going in to the final round. With SISD Team 2 currently in third place, the Swiss schools are dominating the leaderboard. Dubai International Academy and DESS Team 1 are the best contenders offering a chance of an upset.
In the Nomad Class, with teams comprised of students from different schools, it was JT Racing, with drivers Theo Gid and James Bernard, who again delivered victory over rivals Dragster DXB, who claimed second on the night, and Horizon PP who secured a third place finish.
The Nomad order of the night also matched the current championship standings, with JT Racing in control going into Round Four.
Everything will be decided on the final round of the ESKC Junior and Senior Championships on Saturday, 18 March at Dubai Kartdrome
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