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New Zealand's rising star karter Josh Hart finished his European campaign in style by finishing on the podium at the final round on the 2008 Rotax Max Euro Challenge at Genk last Sunday.
This result was superb for the young Kiwi from Palmerston North but it got better because the hard fought third place podium finish also gave Hart third place overall in the Rotax Max Euro Challenge, and with it an entry into the Grand Final (where Challenge series winners from all over the world gather to compete for the Grand Final title) at La Conca in Italy over the November 29/30 weekend.
Going into this final round Hart only had a slim mathematical chance of finishing third overall and qualifying for the World Final, because all 90 competitors in this championship are able to race four rounds and count their best three. Hart was only able to compete in three of the four rounds, but was able to watch as his two main rivals crashed out of Sunday's Rnd 4 Final after succumbing to the pressure he created.
Hart was disappointed with his 19th place qualification after qualifying third at the two previous rounds, and said he struggled to get the set–up right before Saturday's heat racing. Having the flu did not help this situation, but a good run through the heats saw Hart on grid seven for the Pre-Final in which he got up to second but was shuffled back down the order to seventh at the flag after being forced wide on lap four.
Changes to the chassis set-up throughout the day had seen Hart's times improve to be equal with the front runners and in the Final he made a determined charge up to third in the opening laps and then gallantly held on to his position until the end of the 18 laps.
After which he said:
"I am absolutely delighted with this result and especially to be able to qualify for the world final in La Conca Italy. I would like to thank everyone from my 'ntrepid Force Rotax team who made the awesome equipment available, along with the expertise and experience to engineer it to the very high and competitive level that helped achieve these results. It has been a fabulous season."
"I would also like to say a very special thank you to all my sponsors and supporters both here in Europe and at home in New Zealand.
2008 Rotax Max Euro Challenge Rnd 4 Final Genk Belgium Sat-Sun Sept 27-28 Rnd 4 1. Mat VD Brands(Holland) Intrepid 2. Yoann Aubergeon (France) Sodikart 3. Josh Hart (New Zealand) Intrepid
European Championship Result 1. Christopher Lock (England) Tony Kart 2. Ben Cooper (England) CRG 3. Josh Hart (New Zealand) Intrepid
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