Kimber remains upbeat despite having first-ever appearance on podium snatched from his grasp - The Solihull Observer

Kimber remains upbeat despite having first-ever appearance on podium snatched from his grasp

Solihull Editorial 2nd Jul, 2019   0

CENTURY Motorsport racer Mark Kimber says his performance at Donington Park was a big step forward, despite a heartbreaking mechanical failure at the death that denied him a maiden podium place at the British GT Championship.

Kimber demonstrated the biggest leap in his progression as a racer yet in the sixth round of the Championship, coming out of practice with the third quickest time and qualifying alongside teammate Jacob Mathiassen in fourth place.

A brief stop in the pits allowed Kimber to resume his lead in the GT4 class on the track swiftly, and, despite losing a place after a prolonged battle with an opponent, looked set to secure a first podium in his career.

But disaster struck with just five minutes remaining, when a brake disc failure beached the BMW on the gravel, with the damages sustained too great to make it back into the pits.




The 17-year-old was understandably devastated by the result, but takes plenty of heart in his best showing to date up until that point.

“I’m really disappointed,” said Kimber.


“I think we were definitely on for second, or at worst third.

“It’s gutting for the team, Jacob and myself, these things happen, but on the positive we did lead a lot of the race and the pace was there so that’s a good sign moving forward.”

Kimber now swaps the BMW for a kart, when heading to the Lake District for a return to the British Kart Championships on July 12, ahead of resuming the British GT at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium later this month.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in a kart but I’m excited,” he said.

“We’re always straight on the pace as soon as I get behind the wheel, and it will be great to be back in that paddock again.”

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