VDR takes lead in Nomad Cup Challenge
Jordy Van Dort, Justin Thielecke and Talal Al Khoder of VDR Racing delivered a stellar team performance on Sunday night (4 December) en route to a comeback victory in Round Two of the Senior Emirates Schools Karting Championship (ESKC).
After two rounds, VDR Racing now leads the Senior Nomad Cup Challenge, a category for teams composed of drivers from mixed schools.
The evening began as it would end, with VDR setting the early pace and nailing pole position in qualifying with a best lap time of 1:11.282. Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS) Arabian Ranches was right behind with a best time of 1:11.702.
When the start lights went out for the 60 minute endurance race, karts roared off into the night and the 19 participating teams sprang into action, readying their crews for driver changes.
After a few laps in VDR Racing lost its pole advantage when a pack of five karts reeled in the leader and vied for the top spot, with the veteran team of JESS Arabian Ranches eventually taking control.
Strategy and team pit stop execution are critical for any ESKC success, and after a series of driver changes throughout the race, it was clear which teams had been practicing.
Following the pit stop shuffling, VDR Racing came out back on top. They were chased down by Dubai English Speaking College (DESC) Team 4 and JESS Arabian Ranches.
Despite losing the lead during the middle part of the contest, by the end of it VDR made it look easy, cruising in past the chequered flag 14.223 seconds in front of DESC Team 4 and 18.477 seconds ahead of third place JESS Arabian Ranches.
VDR Racing’s Justin Thielecke also set the fastest lap of the evening with a blistering time of 1:10.834.
With the overall win VDR Racing topped the Senior Nomad Category podium. Young Emirati ace Rashid Al Awadhi from P1 Racing took home second place silverware, while the defending Nomad Cup Challenge champions Ghost Racing managed just third.
In the main Senior ESKC Category, teams comprised of drivers from one school, DESC Team 4 took top honours for the evening, just ahead of JESS Arabian Ranches in second and Repton School in third. JESS Arabian Ranches still retains its lead in the Senior ESKC Challenge.
After the podium ceremony David Bright of Dubai Kartdrome commented: “It was magnificent to see all of the teams improve from Round One.
“This is especially true of VDR Racing whose team members have been training a great deal lately. They were rewarded with the quadruple crown tonight—pole position, fastest lap, class win and overall win.”