Jacob Borg showed off his racing skills and determination confidently during the annual TKM Festival held recently at Kimbolton, UK. He finished 9th in the final race despite his kart sustained a puncture in the left front tyre. Jacob's participation at the TKM Festival was sponsored by Kinnie.
During the festival, Jacob joined the SRS Racing team under the direction of Stuart Ziemelis, former British racing champion and present director of SRS Racing School in UK. This was his second two-stroke kart race in UK, after last September he participated with the SRS Racing team at Whilton Mill circuit.
Jacob immediately developed an understanding of the Kimbolton circuit and quickly put in respectable lap times. Holding a novice British Karting License, he had to start each heat from the back of the grid. However, this did not deter him and after some very impressive heats, he qualified 13th in the final, making him the highest placed novice.
During the final race, Jacob's kart unfortunately sustained a puncture, momentarily taking him wide of his target. He immediately managed to regain control and finished in 9th place, a real demonstration of his skills and determination. As one of the organisers of TKM Festival commented, "no doubt with more experience in this series, Jacob would very quickly become a frontrunner looking for podium finishes."
The festival is the most important TKM meeting of the year and the line-up is undoubtedly the best available. Over 350 racers took part during the three-day event. On Friday the participants had a full day testing session while qualifying heats and races were held on Saturday and Sunday.
In the UK kart drivers are classified as novices until they have competed in five races. "My aim is to compete in a kart championship in 2004, but before I can do this I have to compete in three more races in UK," commented Jacob Borg, who started kart racing at the age of 10. "With the support of my sponsor, Kinnie, I shall be competing at Shenington and at Whilton Mill next month, and looking forward to return again in November." Jacob is the official representative of the national soft drink brand, Kinnie, at all kart racing events, both in Malta and abroad.
His engineer, Don Newman, reported that Jacob gave good feedback and achieved a good set-up, which he used to the best. "He is a smooth and consistent driver with the ability to listen to advice and put it into practice."
Stuart Ziemelis, added "Jacob has an outstanding amount of true determination and a high level of natural talent. His ability to maintain enthusiasm is a rare asset. Against all odds, his driving was superb."
Kinnie Brand Executive, Alison Bezzina said: "We are delighted that Jacob Borg accomplished a positive and encouraging result at the TKM Festival. This has surely intensified his ambition. We augur that he will be able to race fully in an international championship soon."