Daruvala wins British Karting opener

Young racing driver Jehan Daruvala began his 2013 season in style winning the opening race of the KFJ British Karting Championship at Rowrah in Cumbria, England.

The Sahara Force India Academy driver took pole position and won all his heats Saturday, before taking victory in the first final Sunday. In the second final he finished fourth after staging a brilliant recovery drive from last position as a result of contact at the first corner.

With 154 points from the series opener, Daruvala heads to Glan y Gors Park in Wales next month full of confidence.

An elated Daruvala later said: "I'm very pleased with my weekend in Rowrah. Things went very well right from the start of the event and it shows that all the hard work and testing is paying off. I was very comfortable in the wet conditions and was always up at the front. The second final was disappointing because I was forced off the track at the first corner of the race. Finishing fourth was a good recovery, but more was possible because I set the fastest lap and had the pace to win. However, I've come away leading the championship after the first round and that's very encouraging."

Academy driver coach Terry Fullerton said: "Jehan set the bar very high at the first round, winning all his heats and claiming victory in the first final. He won everything apart from the second final, when he was pushed off the track by another competitor at the first corner."