After Portugal, Nyck De Vries (Zanardi/Parilla) went to conquer America, with a firm intention to repeat his success in Super KF, at the first round of the WSK World Series. On the Millville circuit, which he saw for the first time, the young Dutch karter from Chiesa Corse triumphed despite a fourth-place start and improved his championship standing.
Recognised by the International Federation through the "FIA" label and a world-level title that will be awarded in October, the WSK World Series has become the not-to-miss event for Super KF, the top category of karting. This time Nyck De Vries, who will visit three continents during this 2010 season, headed to New Jersey, on the US East Coast. "The Millville international circuit is interesting, but not easy because it is a bit bumpy, has several chicanes and you do not get a lot of chances to overtake", Nyck commented. "We did our best to find the right adjustments for the track, so I could start immediately with the second best time in timed qualifying".
Performances were again very good during the qualifying heats, with two partial victories, a second place, three best lap times in race and especially a pole position on the pre-final start grid. Unfortunately, that annoyed the 15-year-old Dutch driver. "I was pretty confident after my excellent time during warm-up. I took a good start, but soon I began to lose power. My engine power valve did not work as usual during the first laps and I found my self around 9th. After a few minutes, my engine went back to normal and I was able to work my way up to fourth, again with the best lap time".
To be on the safe side, De Vries' racing team changed the engine for the final and Nyck launched his attack. He took another excellent start and was soon right behind the leader, Armand Convers. "I saw we were the fastest on the track. My goal was first of all to remain alone with him in the lead of the race and avoid attacks from the pack. Then, I just waited for the right opportunity". A strategy that paid off, because Nyck De Vries managed to take full control of the race. "Then I pushed a bit more to increase the gap, and it worked..." With the best absolute time in the final, again!
In Millville, the driver supported by McLaren F1 team honoured the typically American decoration of his kart, "Yes we can", which was written on the bodywork. Yes, Nyck actually made it, with some precious help from his team and his very competitive Zanardi-Parilla. After this second victory in a row in the WSK World Series, he will come to the final in Egypt, in October, as the leader of the championship. Meanwhile, the talented Dutch driver will buckle down to work to get ready for the much awaited CIK/FIA World Championship, to be held in Spain in September.
( © Photo FFK )
