After opening his 2012 European karting season strong, Devlin DeFrancesco descended on Pista Salentina in Ugento, Italy for round two of the CSAI Italian Championships. Looking to build on momentum gained in earlier rounds, DeFrancesco would perform well in the heat races with two top five results, but succumb to engine issues in both finals to come home with fourth and 14th place finishes.
“The weekend started very strong for Devlin and the entire DeFrancesco Racing (DFR) program,” expressed Team Manager and Driver Coach Nick Mitchell. “Our goal was to qualify close to the front of the field and stay out of trouble in the heat races. With some good results, Devlin would set himself up with a starting position that would give him a chance at the victory.”
After progressing through the test days as one of the quickest drivers on site, DeFrancesco would enter the timed qualifying run that would see him claim the second quickest time in his group. With a large field of competitors, groups were merged post qualifying, and the up and coming talent would slot into the sixth position.
Looking to move forward or at least maintain his starting position, DeFrancesco drove a pair of very smart heat races claiming solid results. Controlling his aggressiveness and calculating passes, DeFrancesco would finish fourth in heat one and improve in heat two to the second position.
With the heat race flight format in effect, points would be calculated and Devlin DeFrancesco would line up in the fourth position for final one. Starting from the outside row is a disadvantage at many tracks, but the DFR pilot held his own through the first complex of corners as the lead group began to run single file. Experiencing some troubles with his powerplant, Devlin was unable to mount a charge on the lead trio and would be forced to defend his position until the checkered flag. Crossing the stripe in the fourth position, DeFrancesco would look to improve in the second of two finals.
From the drop of the green flag in final two, DeFrancesco’s engine gremlins would rear their ugly head once again as his LKE powered Top Kart did not have the power as it did in the previous day’s heat races. Struggling to keep his competitors at bay, DeFrancesco did what he could and claimed the 14th position.
Mitchell continued, “It is very disappointing to have these engine issues in the main events. Devlin continues to prove week in and week out that he is a threat for race wins in Europe and we will be back to achieve that goal. Devlin’s racing skills and sheer determination in both finals helped him finish where we did as we did not have the speed in our equipment to finish where we did.”
Devlin DeFrancesco and the entire DFR crew will enjoy a weekend off at their home in the United States before heading back to Italy for the second round of the WSK Euro Series in La Conca.
For more information on DeFrancesco Racing, please contact Andy DeFrancesco via e-mail toInfo@DFRUSA.com or visit them online at www.DFRUSA.com. For more information on Devlin DeFrancesco, please visit him online at www.DevlinDeFrancesco.com For real time updates from DFR Racing and Devlin DeFrancesco live trackside, please follow them on Twitter at @DFR_USA and @DevlinD00.
