Reigning Euro Max Challenge champion Harry Webb rounded off his stunning maiden season of international competition with victory in the Rotax Grand Finals at Portimao in Portugal last weekend (1 December).The event - also known and regarded as the World Finals due to the global entry it attractssaw the Norfolk teenager beat over seventy competitors on his way to victory in the fiercely contested Junior Max class.
However, he admitted that he had taken the tough route to the podium. Webb almost missed the timed qualifying session due to engine issues, but a last-minute change of motor saw him able to take to the circuit with seconds to spare before the officials closed the gate and he went on to set an astonishing second-fastest time overall.
Harry had been leading the first of his three qualifying heats when, on the last lap, he was hit off the circuit by a rival. Webb bounced back in style to win the remaining races and qualified 9th on the grid for the first of the two finals.
Unfortunately, he was caught up in separate collisions in the first two corners of the first finals opening lap. I got going again and was in 18th place, or thereabouts but crashed again! This put me down to the back of the field and in the time remaining I could only claw my way back up to 22nd at the finish, Harry explained.
With the grid positions for the Grand Final taken from the drivers finishing positions in the previous race, Harry started from the 11th row - but with just 18 laps of the Algarve circuit, he needed to take every single opportunity that presented itself if he was to stand even the merest chance of a podium finish.
He duly delivered a staggering drive and was leading with seven laps to go, having passed all but ten of the 32-strong field. I was confident I could do it, he said frankly. In the pre-final I was some three to four tenths of a second faster than most and so I could use my pace to pass people. It wasnt easy but youve just got to get on with it.
As he approached the chequered flag, Webb recalls thinking: Ive done it but I cant really believe it!
Harrys father, Steve, himself a former European karting champion, was acting as his sons mechanic but was given some anxious moments in the build-up to the main event: After the first race he wasnt happy - but he was after the Grand Final! That I came from so far back to win was very special for him.
Webb intends to continue his karting career in 2013, but hopes that his Grand Finals and European successes will put him in the motor racing shop-window and attract the attention of major team bosses: Hopefully people will know who I am now. It was my first go at the World Finals and to win it first time is amazing. So it would be nice if this launches a professional racing career for me.
