Greater Noida, Nov 30 (IANS) Indian driver Akhil Khushlani put up a very impressive performance to start Round 13 in third place in the qualifying session for the final rounds of the JK Racing Asia Series.
Eurointernational drivers South Africa’s rookie Aston Hare clinched a double pole while Malaysia’s Nabil Jeffri did well to finish for a second place start.
Rounds 13 to 16 of the series are underway here at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) as part of the Sidvin Festival of Speed.
A happy Khushlani said he was happy with a top three result.
“I am pretty much okay with the results but I am still six tenths off Aston’s pace. We are going to sit down to have a look at the data and try to find the time for tomorrow’s race,” he said.
Aditya Patel who set a time of 2:00.656 completed the top six.
“I am not too sure where I lost my time. I will have to go through the data to see because I am slower today than in practice, when I should be quicker. Anyway, qualifying is done so it’s just the races now,” said Patel.
Aston Hare, who cemented his rookie championship with a marvellous victory last month and occupies second place in the standings stunned championship leader Jeffri by recording a best lap time of 1:59.369 on lap 10. Jeffri finished 0.461 seconds behind.
“I am happy. I won’t know until tomorrow how I will do and my tyres are not doing so well but I am happy,” said Hare. As for Jeffri, he will have to think of the Championship and to maintain as big a gap as possible in the points.
“It’s going to be competitive racing tomorrow and I will push hard to win the races,” Jeffri said. Both drivers are in a close fight for the championship with only 34 points separating them before the qualifying session.
Ikhwan will have a tough day tomorrow starting behind Jeffri but he is confident of his team’s ability to give him the perfect car for the win.
“I am not really happy with the results. I struggled with the car but I know my team is able to give me a perfect car. Tomorrow will be tough but I will push as hard as I can for the win.”
His teammate Aidan Wright was impressive in the second half of the session and set the fifth fastest time with 2:00.368. The Australian is currently second in the rookie points.
Other than Patel and Khushlani, Indian drivers Vishnu Prasad, Raghunathan Mahaveer and Akhil Rabindra as well as JK Tyre champion Diego Duez are competing under the wings of India’s Meco Motorsport as guest drivers. Amer Beg and Ashraff Dewal are racing with US Formula Project.
