If anybody was still in any uncertainty as to Jay Goodwin’s superb overtaking ability, the exciting Sale-based karting star quashed those doubts with aplomb by way of a stunning charge through the field in the third meeting of 2010 in the hotly-fought Super 1 Series – passing no fewer than 18 rivals during the course of a fight back worthy of a champion.
Jay travelled to Whilton Mill with strong previous form around the punishing Northants circuit – one of the country’s true drivers’ tracks – and high hopes of a solid result, reinforced by lapping amongst the very quickest of the 48 Mini Max class competitors during practice, as he pitted himself against the indisputable crème de la crème of young British driving talent at that level.
“It’s my favourite track in the country,” the 12-year-old enthused. “I’ve got a good record there and it’s quite a physically-demanding circuit, which is one aspect of racing where I think I’ve got a bit of an upper hand over my rivals. With the bumps on the track surface, thanks to my physical fitness level I’m able to hold onto the kart better. We had tested there a few weeks beforehand, and everything felt good – thanks to the team we had the ultimate set-up for the kart, and we were just really strong.”
The opening of the heavens on Saturday failed to faze Jay – who has something of a ‘rain master’ reputation within the paddock – and the Ashton-upon-Mersey ace was quick again in qualifying, with 11th spot securing him third row grid positions for both of his heat races.
“I started fifth for the first heat, and the race was going well,” he recounted. “I passed my team-mate Ashley England going down the hill on the last lap, but then going into The Boot section, Ash got pushed from behind and into me, which sent me off the track. I managed to get back on again, but really it ruined my race.”
A perhaps appropriately unlucky 13th at the chequered flag, heat two would thankfully yield rather better, with a bad start as he had to dart across the track to avoid an accident paving the way for an impressive drive through the order back up to fourth at the close, leaving Jay justifiably pleased with his performance and starting 12th in the first of the two finals the following day.
“Unfortunately, I didn’t even get across the start-line,” he rued. “I got spun round from behind, went backwards over the line and ended up off the track! That left me dead last by about the length of the straight and with a bent trackrod that slowed me down, but I managed to fight my way back through the pack – that was a lot of fun, and it’s something I’ve always been good at. I was always confident I could still come through, and whilst I had to battle my way past some very quick drivers, they didn’t necessarily have the experience that I do.”
Modestly doing himself a disservice with his description of the race, Jay’s awesome charge ably evinced just why he has three Lewis Hamilton ‘True Grit’ accolades to his name in fellow national championship Formula Kart Stars (FKS). Making what must have been hard work indeed look comparatively effortless as he climbed back from 30th to his starting position of 12th, the seventh-fastest lap time – less than two tenths of a second shy of the quickest outright, despite being invariably mired in traffic – only served to demonstrate what might have been.
“I was a tiny bit frustrated about what had happened at the start, but overall I was pleased with my driving,” underlined the Evolution Racing speed demon. “If I hadn’t been spun out, it would have been a completely different race. Judging by the pace I had even with the damaged trackrod, I think if I’d been up at the front, I could definitely have been in contention for the win.”
Finding himself swiped out once more in the second final as he vied for the top ten left Jay with it all to do over again – but having expertly scythed his way back to the fringes of the top 20, the Matrix and Joe Bloggs-backed hotshot was then turned into by a rival and tipped briefly and precariously onto two wheels, all-but bringing an end to his efforts.
Happily, he will have a chance to make amends as soon as this weekend, when he returns to Whilton for round two of FKS, both seeking and deserving a change of luck – and very confident indeed that he can do battle up at the sharp end.
“I was proud of the way I had driven, but angry about all the bad luck we had and other people’s driving standards,” the North Cestrian Grammar School pupil concluded of his Super 1 outing. “In FKS I’m going to try my hardest to get a really strong finish. I hope I don’t have to win any more Lewis Hamilton awards or have to come from the back again; I want a different award next time – perhaps one for finishing up on the podium! The championship is still wide open – and I’ve shown I’ve got the pace to challenge for the very top.”
