Bahrain's Lewis Smith shows class in karting world championships

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain-based racer Lewis Smith had some solid results yesterday in this year’s FIA Karting World Championship, being held in Portimao, Portugal.

The 15-year-old Briton was in action in three Qualifying Heats, and was able to finish in the mid-field each time.

Lewis has been placed in Group A for the sessions.

In his first Qualifying Heat featuring 29 karters from Groups A and E, Lewis was classified 15th. He finished 23.209 seconds behind session winner Josep M Marti’ from Spain, while Joe Turney from the UK followed in second place 0.936s behind and Matheus Morgatto of Brazil came third 2.359s back.

Lewis’s best lap time in the heat was 58.129s.

In his second Qualifying Heat, which comprised drivers from Groups A and B, Lewis was 18th from a total of 30 runners. He was 13.037s from winner Markus Kajak from Estonia, who was followed narrowly by Briton Danny Keirle0.341s behind and Lorenzo Travisanutto of Italy who was 0.565s off the pace.

Lewis was able to improve on his fastest lap from his previous heat, this time going for a mark of 58.113s.

In his final Qualifying Heat of the day for karters in Groups A and C, Lewis came 22nd in a field of 29 starters. Lewis was 15.430s from winner Taylor Bernard from the UK, who was joined by Kajak (+0.643s) and Keirle (+1.271s) in the top three.

Lewis’s best lap time for the session was 57.960s, which was also his fastest for the day.

Lewis is back in the kart today for a last Qualifying Heat for karters in Groups A and D. He is the only karter from Bahrain competing in the world championships.