Nathan Aston is gearing up for the CIK Karting World Cup in Spain
Date: 17-09-2012Teenage kart star Nathan Aston will line up with the world’s top young karters in two weeks time after qualifying for the CIK Karting World Cup in Spain. And he’s hoping his training as part of Formula 1 team McLaren’s young driver development programme will boost his chances of punching in a decent result against the world’s best.
Over 150 young stars will take to the 1.7km track at Zuera near Zaragoza when the World Cup kicks off on Sunday 23 September. Aston qualified for the final after his performance on a CIK round in France but he believes the competition will be tough at the final.
“The World Cup will definitely be a big challenge. In most normal races, people are driving to score championship points and always want to get a finish. But this event is a one-off, there will be nothing to loose and that will make it much more competitive.
“I really need to be on top of my game to deliver a strong performance. I was down at McLaren again last week for an update on my physical training programme so hopefully that preparation will help. They put me through some physical tests and updated my training schedule along with giving me more advice on what I should be eating and drinking during races.
“The advice from McLaren is really helpful and, with everyone so close competitively, these little things will hopefully help to give me an edge over the other guys.”
The 15-year-old from Stockdalewath fancies his chances after his first overall victory of the season saw him move into third in the MSA British Kart Championship last weekend.
Round six of the Super One series took place at the Clay Pigeon circuit in Dorset and, despite struggling to find grip in the qualifying session and timed heats, Aston put in a stunning drive to take overall victory in the grand final in his KF3 Intrepid kart.
“The heats were pretty difficult as I struggled to find the right amount of grip,” said Aston. “In the morning it was pretty cold and the track was slippery so I didn’t just get the feeling to push hard. But then in the first final in felt a bit better. I dropped back to ninth but then pushed hard to climb up into second and eventually finished third.
“Then in the grand final it rained and I’m pretty good when it’s wet. I started third on the grid but used my experience to move into the lead with five laps to go and everything was feeling really good. The guy in second place was right on my bumper until the finish and I did just enough to keep him behind me until the end of the race.
“It was great to win the final and even better that the result moved me up to third in the overall championship.”
Over 150 young stars will take to the 1.7km track at Zuera near Zaragoza when the World Cup kicks off on Sunday 23 September. Aston qualified for the final after his performance on a CIK round in France but he believes the competition will be tough at the final.
“The World Cup will definitely be a big challenge. In most normal races, people are driving to score championship points and always want to get a finish. But this event is a one-off, there will be nothing to loose and that will make it much more competitive.
“I really need to be on top of my game to deliver a strong performance. I was down at McLaren again last week for an update on my physical training programme so hopefully that preparation will help. They put me through some physical tests and updated my training schedule along with giving me more advice on what I should be eating and drinking during races.
“The advice from McLaren is really helpful and, with everyone so close competitively, these little things will hopefully help to give me an edge over the other guys.”
The 15-year-old from Stockdalewath fancies his chances after his first overall victory of the season saw him move into third in the MSA British Kart Championship last weekend.
Round six of the Super One series took place at the Clay Pigeon circuit in Dorset and, despite struggling to find grip in the qualifying session and timed heats, Aston put in a stunning drive to take overall victory in the grand final in his KF3 Intrepid kart.
“The heats were pretty difficult as I struggled to find the right amount of grip,” said Aston. “In the morning it was pretty cold and the track was slippery so I didn’t just get the feeling to push hard. But then in the first final in felt a bit better. I dropped back to ninth but then pushed hard to climb up into second and eventually finished third.
“Then in the grand final it rained and I’m pretty good when it’s wet. I started third on the grid but used my experience to move into the lead with five laps to go and everything was feeling really good. The guy in second place was right on my bumper until the finish and I did just enough to keep him behind me until the end of the race.
“It was great to win the final and even better that the result moved me up to third in the overall championship.”
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