Thompson Soars High in Lincolnshire

Gary Thompson has added another two podium finishes in the latest round of the UK Super One JICA Kart series to become Ireland's most successful driver ever at this level.

By finishing second in both rounds of the series at PF International yesterday the Donabate teenager became the first Motorsport Ireland license holder to step onto three consecutive Super One podiums.

The result moves Gary one spot up in the points standings to second and, most impressively of all, comes despite suffering the lingering effects of a week long bout of cold and 'flu.

"I was pretty tired on the test day but I was quick, too, so I knew we could get a good result today," said Gary after climbing off his Ricky Flynn Motorsport prepared Alonso following 18 arduous laps of the PF circuit in race two.

Speed was never the issue throughout the long weekend of intense competition and any lingering doubts about Gary's fitness in the two 18-lap finals were removed in emphatic fashion as the 14-year-old actually closed to within a few tenths of race leader Oliver Rowland in the closing stages of the second final.

After qualifying in second place of the 34 JICA competitors in the top ranked British national series, Gary finished a fine second in heat one and third in heat two to line up second for the first of the day's points scoring races.

After getting boxed in on the run to turn one he fought his way back up to second place from fifth by which time the race leader had made a clean break from the pack.

Gary closed on the leader for several laps but all hopes of a win had evaporated in the congestion of the first corner.

In race two he got away cleanly and stayed riveted to the rear bumper of the lead kart as the top two made clean their escape from the squabbling bunch behind.

With almost nothing to choose between the lead two Gary was never more than a few kart lengths behind throughout but, try as he might, he couldn't find an opening and the positions remained the same all the way to the chequered flag.

Gary was more than six seconds ahead of third place indicating the level of dominance the top two enjoyed through the meeting.

Having contemplated scratching from the event on Friday evening, Gary and his crew were thrilled with two podium finishes and a move up the points table to second.

"I could run at Oliver's pace throughout but we just couldn't quite get close enough for a proper overtaking attempt. I'm absolutely delighted with the result. We're going well at the moment and I'm looking forward to the next Super One event at Larkhall."

Before that Gary and crew head to Jesolo for the next round of the Italian Masters, the top European series in which Gary has been a consistent top ten runner in recent events.