Magpie PR

Bank Holiday Bad Weather Frustrates Dixon On Car Racing Debut

2008-04-01T16:09:00.003Z

28/03/08

Kent teenager James Dixon got his car racing career off to a frustrating and disappointing start at Brands Hatch on Bank Holiday Monday. The Candy Carriers-backed driver had to battle freezing temperatures and falling snow over the course of the meeting, leaving him struggling for grip and top results.

In the opening qualifying session, James managed to claim an impressive sixth place on the grid, as snow fell on the track. However, he knew that there was more time to come and for the second session, he and the team decided to gamble on a half wet/half dry car set-up.

The decision looked like paying off as the session got underway, with James and his team-mate locking out the front row early on. But, with just a few minutes left to run, a dry line started to appear around the circuit, which allowed several of his rivals to get a clear run, dropping him down to 11th place, just three-tenths of a second away from pole position.

"That session was really frustrating for me," admitted James afterwards. "We took the gamble and it looked like it was going to pay off for us. But, that's racing and we were so close on times, it could have gone either way with the weather."

The first of the two races gave more frustration to the former karting star, with a series of red-flags halting the race as drivers struggled in the cold and wet conditions. A poor start by James dropped him down the order, but he managed to get back up to fourth on the opening lap only for the race to be stopped. In what was meant to be a 20-lap race, the results were declared after four laps, following yet another race stoppage, giving James ninth on his debut.

In the second race, another poor start meant he had plenty of work to do over the course of the race. However, further stoppages meant that once again the race distance was shortened, this time to five laps and a 16th place finish for James was not a representation of his hard work and speed in pre-season testing.

"It was a nightmare start to my car racing career," said James. "I couldn't believe the amount of red flags and race stoppages. I know there are a few areas I need to work on. It was my first ever standing start in a racing car, so I need to practice those. I had a really good final test at Brands Hatch a few weeks ago and was really hoping to get a solid result here too."

"I'm going to go to Rockingham for the next two races and aim to get my season off to a proper start there though. The pace is in me and the car, I just had didn't get the luck at Brands," he added.

James will next be in action in three weeks time, at the Rockingham circuit in Northamptonshire on the weekend 19/20 April.

Ref: JD0803

Harvey Claims Third In British 'O' Plate Meeting

2008-04-01T15:59:00.003Z

01/04/08

Bassingham kart racer, Jack Harvey took another podium result at the weekend as he took third place in the KF2 British Open Championship 'O' Plate meeting at the Three Sisters circuit near Wigan on Sunday.

The Newark Steel-backed racer has already started his European campaign. However, a handful of UK outings are on the cards for the current European KF3 champion and as a test for him and his Birel chassis the Wigan event was a great way to make a return to British soil.

"It was another good weekend for me," said Jack. "I hadn't driven the kart in UK specification since the end of the Winter Series and with the weather and track temperature playing a big part in racing it was a good chance to get some more miles under me," he added.

Over the course of the weekend Jack and his team tried several set-ups and were always at the sharp end of the grid. However, a few small issues kept him from finding a perfect balance and he was unable to push as hard as normal when it came down to the final on Sunday afternoon. Despite a great drive, the 14-year-old had to settle for yet another podium result, rather than victory.

"It would have been nice to have won the event and been able to run with the 'O' plate during the season," said Jack. "Having the plate is like being the benchmark for the class in the UK. We had work to do to try the kart on the UK tyres and we made a few changes that didn't work for us. But, we know what did and what didn't work, so it was a good weekend from that perspective."

"Obviously every time I go out I want to win, but this weekend was also important for me and the team to get more set-up work done before we approach the UK races over the course of the year."

"It was great to be on front-running form without being able to push as hard as I would have liked though, it puts me in a great position for the opening round of the MSA Super One Championship back at Three Sisters in two weeks time," he added.

Ref: JHKF20807

Harvey Takes Third In KF2 At WSK Opening Round

2008-03-16T21:57:00.002Z

16/03/08

Jack Harvey bounced back from his recent non-finish in the Margutti Trophy by taking third place in the opening round of the Winning Series of Karting (WSK) at La Conca in southern Italy at the weekend. The result puts the 14-year-old reigning European Champion third in the KF2 class standings.

The Newark Steel backed Birel Motorsport driver went into the event full of confidence after a superb run the week before at the Margutti event. After a frustrating time during some of the early event testing, the Birel team worked incredibly hard to give Jack just the set-up on the kart he was looking for. Two fourth and two second places in his heats were enough to give him a second row starting position for the points-scoring pre-final.

A great start allowed him to slot into third place as the field came out of the first corner and over the course of the 16-lap race he was able to get up to second place, finishing less than a second behind the eventual winner.

His result put him on the front row for the grand final and in the early stages of the race he was able to start closing in on the leading racer. However, Jack was forced into a battle with the two chasing drivers, which eventually meant he was forced to drop back a place, losing ground on the two guys now ahead of him in the process and out of contention for victory.

A superb drive to the chequered flag meant that he was still able to claim the final podium spot and his two top-three results mean that he left the Italian circuit third in the points.

"Second and third in the two point-scoring races over the course of the weekend is a great result," said Jack. "The meeting started off really well for us in testing on Thursday, but we struggled a bit on Friday and I thought that we might be in for a tough weekend."

"But I've got to thank everyone in the Birel team, they worked so hard to give me the best kart possible. Everyone was fantastic over the weekend and I was able to drive as hard as possible every time I went out. You can't ask for more as a driver when the team is working that hard for you. I'm pleased I was able to get some good results to repay them," he added.

Jack now has several weeks before his next European event. However, more testing to stay at the sharp end of the KF2 field as well as having a crack at the MSA KF2 'O' plate event at the end of the month will keep him busy before he heads out to Lonato at the beginning of May.

"It's been a hectic start to the 2008 season for me so far," he said. "There is a break now before the next WSK event, but I'm going to be out on track elsewhere as I want to stay as sharp and focused as possible for the rest of the season," he added.

Ref: JHKF20806

Harvey Denied Margutti Double At Parma

2008-03-09T22:50:00.006Z

09/03/08

Lincolnshire kart racer Jack Harvey was denied victory in the Margutti Trophy event, at the Parma circuit in Italy, at the weekend, when an engine problem forced for the reigning European champion to retire while leading the final.

The 14 year-old Lincoln Minster School pupil, who is an official Birel Motorsport driver, went into the event aiming for a repeat victory, after claiming the KF3 class title a year ago. A great run through the heats meant a second row starting position for the semi-final, where he lead home a British 1-2-3 to claim a front row slot for the grand final.

As the red lights went out for the 20-lap final, Jack lost one place and dropped to third as the field dived through the first corner. He managed to stay in touch with the two drivers in front, though and within a handful of laps had moved into the lead.

He immediately set about stamping his authority on the rest of the field with an extremely rapid pace, setting the fastest lap in the process while pulling away at almost two tenths of a second every lap. However, just before half distance Jack's ambition of taking back-to-back Margutti titles came to a halt as his engine let go.

A disappointed Harvey was left frustrated at missing out on what seemed to be his first major win of 2008, but took consolation in his pace over the course of the weekend.

"Obviously, I'm really disappointed to end this weekend in this way," he said. "I really wanted to win the Margutti Trophy, it's a prestigious title to win and I came out to the event with exactly that aim. It was a good meeting for me right up until that point too. I knew before the weekend that I would need to be on the front or second row in the final to have a chance of taking the win as the starts at Parma can be tricky."

"The kart was really good through the heats and I won my semi-final so I was exactly where I wanted to be. Everything felt really good when I moved into the lead and I was comfortable with my pace and was pulling away from the guys behind me, then something went in the engine and I was out immediately. It's definitely more frustrating after being in that position in the final," he added.

Jack has no time to think about his missed silverware, though, as the opening round of his main European championship, the Winning Series of Karting (WSK) gets underway at La Conca next weekend, meaning he is straight back into action against his European rivals and he's certainly keen to bounce back with victory at the southern Italian venue.

"I want to go out at the first WSK round and win," he said. "I want a really good event for the team as they're working so hard to give me the best kart possible and it would really pick us all up after the frustration this weekend. I'm certainly going to be out there to go for victory again," he added.

Ref: JHKF20805

Harvey Aiming For Margutti Glory

2008-03-05T15:29:00.001Z

02/03/08

European kart racing champion, Jack Harvey, heads back to the scene of his first international title next weekend, when he enters the Margutti Trophy at the Parma circuit in northern Italy.

Jack will return to the event as the current KF3 class champion. However, with the move up to the KF2 category this year, he has his sights set on repeating his victory of 12 months ago, especially after a strong showing at the recent Winter Cup meeting.

"I'm really looking forward to the Margutti event," said Jack. "Obviously it was where I took my first title last year and it was a brilliant weekend for me then. I'm certainly going back out to the event with the intention to try and leave with my name on the winner's trophy again, this time in the KF2 class," he added.

A fantastic drive - from the back of the field - throughout the heats and finals in the Winter Cup showed that the 14-year-old Alpinestars backed factory Birel motorsport racer has what it takes to compete right at the sharp end of the senior class. Jack and the Birel team have been working hard in the weeks in between the two events to give him the best chance possible to go for victory next weekend.

Jack will also be keen to be right on the pace from the moment he takes to the track, with the opening round of the Winning Series of Karting (WSK) taking place just one week after the Margutti event. He knows that whatever speed and set-up he and the team have at Parma will carry on through into the start of his championship season.

"We've been working really hard since before the Winter Cup and everything has gone really well. I'm happy with how the team works and I know there is still some time left in me to find as I learn more about the kart and how it reacts to changes and different conditions during the races, which will especially help in the middle of the season when it's hotter."

"But, to be at the sharp end already and to have a kart that is consistent and that I can do what I want with is great. It means that I can only get faster as the season goes on. I know that whatever pace we have at Parma will put us in the same place at the first WSK round as there is only a week in between them. I'm going into both events with confidence, though. I know I've got a chance to go out and win again and it's what I'm going to be trying to go at every meeting this year," he added.

"I'm not under any illusions that it's going to be easy, but I said at the start of the year that I wanted to repeat my results from 2007 and this is the first event where I can go for that goal," he said.

Jack will take to the track from Thursday next week, with the heats taking place on Saturday and the final on Sunday afternoon.

Ref: JHKF20804

Harvey Stuns KF2 Class With Podium On International Debut

2008-02-18T10:40:00.002Z

18/02/08

Jack Harvey stunned the KF2 category of karting on his debut in the class at the weekend with a fantastic drive from the back of the field to take third place in the Winter Cup at the Lonato circuit in Italy.

The reigning KF3 European Champion and factory Birel Motorsport driver had set out his stall in the opening qualifying session, taking pole position in his group, amongst a staggering 132 kart field. However, a technical supply issue meant that his times were unable to count, putting him to the back of the grid for his opening heat, effectively in 130th place.

A sensational first race allowed Jack to climb from 28th to sixth place in the ten lap sprint, setting the fastest lap in the process. A 13th place finish in the second heat, also from the back of the field and once again with another fastest lap to his credit, gave him an eighth row starting place for the semi-final. A brilliant drive through the 14-lap event meant he narrowly missed out on the podium, settling for fourth place.

His hard work gave him a sixth row starting position for the grand final, with a handful of more experienced drivers ahead of him for the epic 28-lap race. As the lights went green Jack immediately set about making up ground on the leaders and within a handful of laps had moved into sixth place. Another charge allowed him to move into third place, with the leaders seemingly out of reach after breaking away from the rest of the pack.

However, as the pair in front began to battle with each other, Jack put in a sensational series of laps to close right up on the top two, finishing just three tenths of a second behind as the chequered flag fell. An incredibly happy Harvey was pleased to be back on podium-taking form on his Birel debut in the senior class of racing.

"I'm incredibly pleased with how the weekend turned out and to be on the podium in my first major KF2 event," he said. "If you had told me at the start of the weekend that I would be coming away with third place I'd have taken it there and then!"

"I got a good start in the final and I had to pick my way through to get up to the front pair as they had broken away right at the start. By the time I got up to third I knew they might be too far ahead, but they started battling with each other and I just got my head down and as we started the last lap I was right on them. If there had been another lap I could have challenged for the lead."

"It was hard work coming from the back throughout the heats, but the team worked brilliantly and I'm really happy to get this result for Birel too, especially at my first event with the factory team. It's a great way to start my first season in the senior category," he added.

Ref: JHKF20803

New Team, New Class And New Challenges For Harvey As 2008 Season Gets Underway

2008-02-11T09:35:00.000Z

10/02/08

Reigning KF3 European Champion, Jack Harvey, begins his 2008 season next weekend as he heads to Garda in Italy for the Winter Cup, where he will enter his first major event for the Birel Motorsport Team in the senior KF2 category.

The Bassingham in Lincolnshire based racer had an epic 2007, taking a staggering four international and national titles. However, the 14-year-old Alpinestars backed youngster is vowing to keep his feet firmly on the ground as he enters his most important season to date, but is still going out to Italy with the main aim to cross the line first at the end of the weekend.

"After such a great year last year I will be looked at as being one of the guys to beat. But I'm stepping up into a category that's new to me and I'm going to approach it in the same way as I have always done, work hard and drive as fast as I can and aim to win," said Jack. "We've worked really hard in testing so far and it seems to be paying off in terms of lap times and speed."

"Obviously, I'd like to repeat the success from last year and pre-season testing has been going really well for me. I'm getting on really well with the guys at Birel and we've been trying a lot of different things in the run up to Garda and we've always been at the top end of the timings every time we're out on track, so it's looking good so far. But, you can never tell until you actually start racing and the Winter Cup will be a good marker as to how we stack up for the first half of the season," he added.

12-months ago, Jack had a torrid opening event to 2007 at this event, but bounced back immediately at the Margutti Trophy by taking victory. He knows that he has the speed and talent to run at the front in the KF2 class and has been faster than some of the established class runners so far. But he knows that he won't know exactly where he stands until about mid-season.

"It will take a while to see exactly where everyone is in terms of consistent pace and results, probably by about mid-way through the year to be honest. But I'll be trying to get the best result possible at every event in 2008 to keep the momentum going from last year."

Despite being up against a host of new rivals already used to the KF2 machinery, one aspect of which is hand controlled front brakes which Jack has had to get to grips with over the winter, as well as a raft of his former KF3 rivals who have also made the move up, he can't wait to get back into the thick of racing once again.

"I'm really, really looking forward to getting back to racing again too, especially after such a busy time over the winter, with signing to Birel and then getting to grips with a hectic testing schedule. I can't wait for the weekend to get underway, then I'll know my 2008 season is properly started and I can get on with doing what I do best, racing," he added.

Jack will head out to the Italian venue early next week for a final test session, before the event gets underway on Friday, with the all important final taking place on Sunday afternoon.

Ref: JHKF20802

Harvey Picks Up BBC Sports Award

2007-12-10T18:25:00.000Z

06/12/07

European Kart Racing Champion, Jack Harvey, was celebrating on Sunday night when he was awarded the BBC Young Sportsperson of the Year Award for the Lincolnshire and Yorkshire region. It was the second such award within the space of a fortnight for the 14 year-old Lincoln Minster School pupil, following on from his win at the Lincolnshire Sports Awards at the end of November.

The Alpinestars backed racer is currently in the middle of a hectic testing schedule, after signing a multi-year deal as an official factory driver for Birel Motorsport. However, Jack was able to take a break from his duties to receive his award from BBC Sports John Inverdale at the regional event.

"I was really surprised to win the award," said Jack afterwards. "I certainly didn't expect it and was very surprised when I heard my name read out and they showed footage of me on the big screens. It is fantastic to be honoured by the BBC and the judges from such a large region. I've had such a brilliant year and I'm working hard now to try and repeat that success in 2008."

Despite his recent run of awards, Jack will have to put on his dinner jacket one more time, when he picks up his European Championship trophy at the CIK FIA awards in Monaco this weekend.

"I'm really looking forward to the Monaco awards as it will be when I finally get to lift the European Championship trophy alongside the rest of the World Champions in karting. It will bring my 2007 season to a proper close and means that I can put all of my concentration on the KF2 World Championship next year," he added.

Ref: JHJICA200735

Harvey Crowned European Champion After Perfect Weekend

2007-09-03T00:20:00.001Z

02/09/07

Reigning British and Italian champion, Jack Harvey, added his name to the biggest roll of honour in junior karting over the weekend, when he took the title of European Champion with a fantastic lights-to-flag victory at the Italian circuit of Sarno. The result confirms the youngster to be the top KF3 category driver in the world today.

The Alpinestars backed factory Maranello Kart driver, went into the event as favourite for the European crown and a perfect weekend of racing allowed him dominate the rest of the 72-kart field and lead home an all-British lock-out of the KF3 class podium.

"This is the biggest win of my career so far," said an elated Harvey. "It doesn't get any bigger than the European Championship at this level, so to win means so much. I came out here with the intention of winning and the weekend has just been fantastic. I'm so happy."

Jack's Maranello Kart team worked hard during the brief free practice sessions at the start of the weekend to set-up the kart for the Italian track. Fifth fastest time in qualifying was good enough to give him pole position for his group.

Once racing got underway, Harvey showed his rivals he meant business by taking victory in all four of his heats, giving him pole for the pre-final. At the start he lost the lead briefly to his front row rival. However, by the end of the opening lap he had moved back into the lead and soaked up all the pressure from the chasing pack to put in a brilliant drive to take victory and the all important pole for the final.

As the lights went green at the start of the 15-lap final Jack was able to dive into the lead from the outside and immediately started to pull out a lead over the rest of the grid. A faultless drive from the 14-year-old followed and by the halfway point in the race, he had pulled out a lead of almost six seconds over the chasing pack, putting him beyond reach and handing him the European Championship crown.

"The team played it cautiously at the start of the weekend by sitting out some of the free practice session as it was wet," said Jack. "We worked hard though and knew that we had a good kart, but also noticed that the group that followed the gearbox karts on track struggled for grip a little, so we were happy with fifth fastest time as we were first out in qualifying," he added.

"I had to work hard in a couple of the heats, but I kept my head down and managed to take victory in all four of them, having pole for the pre-final and final was important, but it was also on the outside of the track, so I had to fight my way back across away from the line both times."

"In the final I just concentrated on getting away on the opening lap and just kept pushing as hard as possible right through the race. At this level, if you ease off, there is someone there to take the place away from you; so I made sure that I had a gap and kept up my pace all the way to the flag," he said.

Behind him, rivals Tom Grice and James Thorp battle for second and third place, making it an all-British podium.

"I said at the Autosport show at the start of the season that Britain produces the best racing drivers in the world and this weekend has proved it. The team did such a fantastic job, not just this weekend, but all season. I've picked up some fantastic results this season and this is just the perfect way to round off my season in the KF3 class, as European Champion," he added.

Ref: JHJICA200727

Harvey Heads To European Championship Showdown

2007-08-27T06:11:00.001Z

27/08/07

Bassingham based karting star, Jack Harvey, heads to the Italian circuit of Sarno next weekend for what is probably the biggest race meeting of his career so far, the finals of the European Championship.

After a fantastic display of driving at the qualifying event in France back in July, where the reigning British and Italian champion dominated the podium and ended the weekend as top qualifier out of all three regions, Jack goes into the event as favourite for the European crown.

The Newark Steel backed factory Maranello Kart driver also goes into the meeting in great form after picking up his second Kartmasters Grand Prix title just two weeks ago, proving that he is at the top of his game before the biggest event on the KF3/JICA class calendar.

"I'm going out to Sarno with every intention to win," said Jack. "I've been looking forward to the European Finals all season. I entered for the first time last year and it was an eye opening experience. It's incredibly professional and the level of competition is massive. I can't wait to get out there," he added.

Despite having the 'favourite' tag hanging over him, Jack knows that the weekend will be full of pressure and that all of his rivals will be out to beat him over the course of the meeting. However, he is ready to rise to every challenge the event throws at him.

"I know that it's going to be an incredibly hard weekend," he said. "The very best drivers from right across Europe are there and all want the same thing that I do. The whole team has been working hard throughout the season and in the run up to this event."

"We took a podium result at Sarno right at the start of the year and we've been getting stronger and stronger as the season has gone on, so a good result is definitely possible. I will be going out and trying as hard as I can to be able to step onto the top step of the podium," he added.

Jack will take to the track on Thursday for the initial free practice session, before the qualifying and heats get underway on Saturday. The grand final takes place on Sunday afternoon.

Ref: JHJICA200726

Harvey Reigns Supreme With Second Kartmasters Title

2007-08-20T08:32:00.000Z

19/08/07

British and Italian kart champion, Jack Harvey, sealed his place in the record books by claiming the JICA class Kartmasters British Grand Prix at the PF International circuit over the course of the weekend (August 18/19).

The result gives the 14-year-old factory Maranello Kart racer his third title of the season and places him as firm favourite for the European Championship crown when it takes place early next month and marks him out as possibly the best JICA class racer in the world.

A frustrating start to the weekend meant that Jack had to work hard in the two finals on Sunday to be in with a chance to defend his Kartmasters title. In the first race, starting from 13th place, he charged up through the field and was able to capitalize on some of his rivals making errors to snatch victory, putting himself onto pole position for the grand final.

At the start of the main event Jack immediately set off with the same determination and speed that allowed him to win last year. However, throughout the race he came under immense pressure from two of his main rivals and had to work incredibly hard to set himself up for a fantastic last lap race to the flag.

As he entered the first hairpin on the circuit he dived up the inside to snatch the lead and drove a commanding final few corners to cross the line for his third title of the season.

"I'm incredibly happy to have won the Kartmasters title again," said Jack. "It's definitely one of the hardest events on the calendar, as everyone wants to win it. The team worked really hard and it was a tough race, a lot tougher than last year."

"We started the weekend with some frustrating results in the heats and from 13th I knew that it was going to be a hard fight to win again. But, everything just fell into place today. I came here with the intention of stepping onto the top step of the podium again and it's exactly what I've managed to do, so I'm really pleased. To win such a big event on my home track is really special too," he added.

Jack's performance over the course of the weekend meant that he was also given the Bruno Ferrari Memorial Award, for his impressive driving during the event.
Despite scoring his third major victory of the year, Jack has little time to relax, as he gears up for the biggest event of his career so far, the European Championship Finals in Sarno, Italy at the beginning of September.

"I can't wait for the European Championships now," he added. "I had such a good qualifying event for them and after the Italian Open Championship and now Kartmasters I want to keep the momentum going and try and take what is really the biggest prize in the JICA/KF3 class. I'm definitely going back out to Italy next month with that as my goal, for sure."

Harvey Crowned Italian Open Champion

2007-07-22T23:07:00.000Z

22/07/07

British karting star, Jack Harvey, continued his domination of the European KF3 (JICA) class by claming his second continental title at the weekend when he won the Italian Open Masters Championship title at the Vibrata circuit.

The 14-year-old factory Maranello Kart driver, who is still the reigning British Junior and Kartmasters Grand Prix champion, added the Italian Championship -- renowned as one of the toughest in karting -- to his Margutti Trophy win earlier in the season, adding weight to his title as the best KF3 class racer in the world and one of the hottest rising stars of the karting arena.

"It feels fantastic to have taken the Italian Open Championship," said Jack. "I went into the weekend on a high after the European Championship qualifiers and my intention was to win. The whole team has worked so hard for this and everything went right this weekend," he added.

In qualifying, the Bassingham in Lincolnshire based racer had set the fourth fastest time in his group, which put him tenth overall out of the 53-kart field. In the opening heat he started from sixth place and worked his way up to second. In the second and third heats he started from fifth and put in superb drives to win them both, giving him a front row starting position for the first of the two finals.

At the start of the first final Jack was forced wide on the opening lap and dropped back to eighth place. A fantastic drive back through the field allowed him to claim second place at the chequered flag, while his closest title rivals failed to break into the top points scoring places.
In the second all-important final he was once again forced out of his front row position on the opening lap. This meant he had to carve his way back through the field with an impressive drive up to fourth place.

Despite his rivals being a long way behind him and a podium position within sight over the closing stages, Jack kept his concentration on the Italian Open title and took the welcome fourth place and the championship.

"We came here to win the title and I had some pace in reserve in case I needed to fight hard at the end. But, the championship was more important than charging for a podium result today," said Jack. "It's what the whole team has been working for throughout the season and I wanted to win it for them as much as me."

"It's the first time that Maranello Kart has taken the KF3 category in Italy and I'm proud to have achieved that for them. I'm obviously really happy to have won a major title in my first year in Europe too. It puts me in a great position for the European finals in September, I'm going out there to continue this success," he added.

ENDS