Mackenzie claims first silverware in Naples (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Mackenzie claims first silverware in Naples

11:33am Wednesday 12th November 2008

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After just a few race meetings in the senior KF2 category, Mackenzie Taylor has already won an international trophy - lifting the inaugural Silver Cup at Sarno, near Naples, on Monday.

The Ashford teenager held the points advantage from the first round – held at the La Conca circuit in Puglia the previous weekend – and his metronomic consistency at the Neapolitan track saw him take the title.

“I was after good results and was reasonably optimistic going into the meeting,” he said.

“That said, the last time I raced at Sarno was in (the junior KF3 class) in the Winning Series Karting Championship and it was a weekend to forget.

“I tried to make up for that and knew that I needed decent points and to finish all the races if I was to win overall.”

The 15-year-old was pipped to pole position in timed qualifying by his team-mate Robert Foster-Jones on the last lap of the session, and would line up alongside him on the start-line for both the heats.

“I was happy with the first race,” Mackenzie explained afterwards.

“Rob and I pulled away from everyone else and opened a massive gap (over the chasing Anniello Smarrazzo).

“Rob took the win and I sat behind him to take second.”

Mackenzie repeated this in the following heat, as the pair again locked-out the front row of the grid for the first of the two points-scoring finals.

However, things didn’t quite go to plan for the Sunbury Manor pupil as Smarrazzo squeezed his way past in the opening stages of the pre-final.

Mackenzie took third, and knew that he would dropped points in the title chase to the Italian, but calmly said: “It wasn’t a big problem.”

More concerning, was Smarrazzo’s pace.

He had been the fastest man in the pre-final and he again used his superior pace to good effect in the main final.

“I got a good start and followed Rob into the first corner,” Mackenzie said.

“I spent the first few laps tucked in behind him and we pulled five or six kart lengths away from the field.

“But as the race progressed, Smarrazzo started to catch us and he passed me at a hairpin. I had to push hard to keep in touch but on the last lap, Rob was defending a corner and Smarrazzo hit him wide.

“He won with Rob in second and me right on their bumpers in third.”

As the Catanian and his team celebrated in parc ferme, the stewards were investigating his move on Foster-Jones.

Half an hour later, team boss Ricky Flynn informed his drivers of their decision – Smarrazzo had been disqualified for contact driving thus promoting Mackenzie into second place.

Mackenzie said: “I’m very happy. To win my first KF2 Championship in just four races is fantastic and has set us up for a good year (in 2009).”

After flying home overnight and getting to bed at 2:30 in the morning, Mackenzie’s celebrations were further curtailed by the fact that he has an English exam this morning.

Before leaving for school, he said, “It’s not fair. Lewis Hamilton didn’t win the World Championship and then have a test the following day.

“And I wouldn’t have minded if it had been an Italian exam, I have had plenty of practice at that recently!”

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