Lines sets pole position at the Rotax World Finals in Italy

Following on from his successful season, Finlay Lines was afforded the much-coveted opportunity to race in the prestigious Rotax World Finals held at Sarno, Italy, representing the United Kingdom. The Maximum Motorsport star was to compete against 72 drivers from a whole host of nations from around the globe in the Mini Max Class, all with the goal of achieving World Champion status.

With a lack of European Karting experience and obvious differences in track types and ultimate speeds, there was to be no rest for Finlay who had to adapt quickly in his limited testing times at the circuit. He showed pace in all test sessions. However as qualifying approached the heavens opened leaving all to play for on a wet circuit.

Having led his group of 34 drivers out onto the circuit, Finlay immediately set times worthy of topping the timing boards and would only improve as the session progressed. As his final lap approached and other drivers having improved enough to see him dropped down the order, Lines had to make it count, and that he did, setting a pole in group time of 1:20:580 and taking the acclimation of his peers and those supporting Team UK.

Finlay’s hard fought pole position time was a comfort to all knowing his race pace would rival that of any driver in contention. However, the motorsport gods coupled with some poor driving standards by his fellow rivals, would see the Team UK representative drop back in both opening heats. Gritty comeback drives, which proved his unquestionable character, managed to see him secure vital top 20 finishes.

A well-earned 4th in the final heat would afford Lines the opportunity to line up P10 for the pre-final, however again some very below par driving from others around him saw him dropped down to P19 and now an uphill battle going into the Final.

All of these results meant Finlay would start 26th on the grid for the Rotax World Championship Final. Not deterred by his less-than-favorable starting position and executing overtake after overtake during the final race, Finlay would see himself finishing in 14th position. Many around him wondering if he’d have been afforded some luck along the way, what could have been?

Lines certainly showed what has made him successful this season with outright pace and skill throughout the weekend and now sets his sights on the IAME World Finals based in Zuera, Spain in just couple of week’s time.