Tuesday March 5, 2013
Go-karter finishes second in WSK Euro Series race in Italy
By LIM TEIK HUAT
Good start: Muizzuddin Musyaffa Abdul Gafar (right) in action during the opening round of the WSK Euro Series in Italy on Sunday. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s teenage karting sensation Muizzuddin Musyaffa Abdul Gafar finished second in the opening round of the prestigious WSK Euro Series to record his first-ever podium in Italy.
The 11-year-old Muizzuddin, who competes in the 60 Mini category and battling against older karters, put up a strong performance over the weekend. He took third place in the qualifying and heats before cruising to another third in the pre-final race on Sunday.
That allowed Muizzuddin, who represents Gamoto Racing, to start the final race from the second row. He immediately gained a place behind his team-mate Eliseo Martinez in the opening lap.
But with just two laps to go, as a consequence of an illegal contact, Muizzuddin was forced to drop to sixth. He eventually finished fourth.
Race stewards later penalised Indian Kush Maini and Italian Lorenzo Colombo, who finished second and third respectively, and promoted Muizzuddin to second.
The 10-lap race was won by Martinez with Leonardo Marseglia of Comer Top Kart finishing third.
Muizzuddin’s next race is in Spain from March 20-24. “I am very happy. It was a very difficult race. There were a lot of good karters from Europe competing and a few Asian riders like Maini and me.
“I have to push the kart very hard and I am delighted to finish second.
“I had the Jalur Gemilang with me on the podium … It was a proud moment for me, holding the flag on the podium,” said Muizzuddin, who lives in Sicily with his mother, in a telephone interview.
“I hope this is the start of better things this season … Next, we go to Lonata for the International Trofeo Andrea Margutti.
“This is a very classic event … it’s like Monaco for F1,” said Muizzuddin, who also competes in the CSAI Italian Go-Kart Championship, WSK Masters Series and Italian ROK Championship.
The next round of the WSK Euro Series will be held at Zuerra in Spain from March 20-24.
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