Kernick rewrites history on Sweden racetrack
Michael Kernick explained that it was the best performance he had ever done in a race car and can't describe how calm and focused he was.
Michael Kernick, a Sharonlea racer, rewrote history at Sweden’s Anderstorp Raceway during a 50-year anniversary since the previous Grand Prix and 50 years since a South African won there.
“I am completely speechless and in disbelief; it was a real dream come true. It was mega to be the South African to change that. I am the first South African to win there since F1 world champion Jody Scheckter,” explained an ecstatic Kernick.
The weekend started with two short practice sessions on Thursday, where he tested the historic Formula Vee from 1971 in the rain. This was good for Kernick as he could learn what the track is like in the wet. On Friday, there were two practice sessions for the Gt40 (pre-1965 race) and two for the historic Formula Vee races.
He explained that having both practice sessions in the wet due to rain on Friday in the Gt40 was much fun.
“The car was absolutely wild in the wet; I have never driven anything so wild before, but it was so much fun and then to be the quickest in those conditions was amazing, and I really didn’t expect it. Doing 200km/h in the wet and getting wheel spin was really exciting.”
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In the qualifying session in the GT40, he was on the pole by two seconds for the first race.
In the dry-weather Formula Vee race 1 he finished 10th. In the Pre-1965 race in the Gt40 after a tough start, he dropped back to second place, but he managed to get past in the last to win the race.
He explained that this was a bit emotional, as he didn’t think he would win a race in Sweden and become the first South African to win a race at Anderstorp Racetrack since Scheckter did it 50 years ago.
“I didn’t plan on winning; I just wanted to go do my best. When I got the pole in qualifying, I was happy. The two wins were
mind-blowing – never did I think that would happen. It’s really nice for my family, being the first Kernick to race overseas. I’m glad I could do well and represent them well.”
He started in the 12th position in the Formula Vee wet race 2. He had a good start, and by the end of the first lap, he was 6th and managed to catch up to 5th place.
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The big one was the Pre-1965 race with 4 FIA GT40s, and he started in second place. The track was dry; he had a good start got into the lead, and started pulling away. Mid-way through the race, a sudden burst of rain came down but half of the track was dry and half was wet.
“I had to adapt quickly – thankfully the car was so good that I could, and I managed to keep the lead and pull away even more. I managed to win the race by 14 seconds to 2nd place and the rest of the field. It was definitely the best drive in a race car I’ve ever done and an absolutely amazing achievement.”
He added that all the hard work and preparation going into this weekend has all been worth it.
“It was so amazing to win those races – and I did have some tears in my eyes as it really is a massive dream come true. Thank you to everyone for the support. I never will forget this moment and the opportunity you all have made possible for me.”
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