Podium finish for Robinson at European Championships

HENLEY youngster Leo Robinson claimed a podium finish last week in the European Karting Championships held in Valencia.

Robinson, nine, qualified 11th of the 34 competitors in the nine to 12 year olds mini class for the first three heats.

The Lambridge Wood Road youngster won the first heat with a string of committed overtaking moves. In the second heat Robinson lost positions on the first lap avoiding an incident in front of him. He managed to recover the lost ground and more, eventually finishing in eighth position. The third and final heat was ended after just three laps due to an incident, but in that brief time Robinson had gained eight positions to finish in third place.

The combined result of the three heats resulted in Robinson starting in third position for the pre-final. Robinson started well and together with the leading kart they pulled away from the chasing pack where he attacked on the final lap and drew alongside his rival but narrowly failed to pass.

The starting positions for the final were determined by the result of the pre-final where Robinson finished second around the outside of the first corner but on this occasion the leading two karts were unable to break clear of the chasing pack who were working well together.

Robinson dropped back to third place but regained his position a lap later. By the final lap the first three karts were running together and were clear of the rest of the field. Robinson lost second position on the final corner with all three of the leading karts crossing the line with less that a kart length separating them.

Leo will compete in European Championship races in Belgium, Italy, Germany and France later in the year and in the World Championships in the Summer.