Freddie Housley Race report Asia cup 2019

FUCHS Silkolene-backed racer Freddie Housley has returned from Asia – and he’s the talk of the karting world.

Freddie has been competing in the Race-Asia Cup 2019.

It was not only the furthest he has travelled, but also the hottest climate and the hardest track.

Freddie and his dad Dave landed on the Saturday evening and had just over a day to adjust to the time difference and temperature as Monday morning they were to begin seven days on track.

Dave said: “After doing a track walk in 40 degree temperatures, it was clear this was going to be tough. The track was incredible, but it was also the tightest track Freddie has driven, and very physical.”

Practice all week went well and after just four days, Freddie was lapping a full seven seconds a lap faster than when he started.

He was again racing some of the best cadets in Asia, who he also raced in Thailand, and he qualified in 10th place to start the Heats.

Heat one he finished 13th and with an 11th place in Heat two, this put him on the grid in 12th place for the Pre-Final, which was his highest qualification so far in this class.

The Pre-Final went well and he got up to 8th place, but trying to pass two karts in one move on the last lap saw him drop to 10th, which was still incredible and he was now lapping only a tenth of a second of the front runners, who are all 11 to 12-years-old.

Starting in P10 for the Main Final and feeling very relaxed, the clouds started to form and this is when it became clear it may rain and Freddie hadn’t done one lap in this class in the wet!

He made a steady start and lost a few places going into what could be called a tidal wave first turn!

Dave said: “After a lap or so he was now looking very confident and although the rain was now torrential, he was in 12th place but lapping over a second a lap faster than the top five.

“Unfortunately, the race was stopped after three laps as the track was now like a river and the kids were brought in for 20 minutes to allow the rain to slow down, which was a shame, but when the Final eventually restarted he managed his best place finish overall of 11th and he said he couldn’t see for 10 laps due to steamy windows.”

Not only is his progress the talk of world karting, a deal has also been forged with Parolin, who are one of the world’s best chassis manufacturers.

The deals means PSR Motorsport Academy will join forces with the Parolin Factory Team, so as of his next race in Valencia for the start of the European Series he will be a Parolin-PSR Factory driver.