In just his second ever car race meeting the 17-year-old from Glengormley stunned the series regulars with pole position after qualifying for round four at the Hong Kong track and, after fuel pick up problems cost him victory in the first of two races held on the weekend, he made no mistake in the second event.
Meanwhile his new team mate, Moreno Soeprapto also showed impressive pace in his Aran Racing Dallara-TOMS Toyota F301 with sixth and fifth place finishes after setting fastest time in pre event testing on his graduation to the senior class of Asian F3.
Jackson had high hopes for round four after qualifying on pole position for his fourth car race on Saturday and he duly led confidently from the front almost to the end of the race. Unfortunately on the final lap, with victory almost within his grasp, fuel pump problems caused his engine to hesitate. He had enough in hand to hang on to a podium finish but unfortunately for him Dado Pena and Tyson Sy swept past in the final few miles.
Meanwhile Moreno, having started a fine fifth, had a hectic race but managed to score some valuable points on his way to sixth place on his debut for Aran Racing.
Jackson soon put the disappointment of his final lap dramas in round four behind him as he lined up third on the grid for round five, the starting order having been determined by the finishing order of the previous race.Conditions for Sunday's race were treacherous, a steady downpour having drenched the track but Alistair was fired up and made a terrific start on the slippy surface to move into second early on behind early leader Dillon Battistini. Battistini kept the flying Jackson at bay for four laps before the Irishman found a way past and drove off into the distance in an accomplished display of wet weather driving. The flag fell after just nine laps, the stewards having decided that the conditions were too difficult for the drivers, but by then Jackson had built up a six second lead and set fastest race lap on the way. Victory was his after a terrific display throughout the weekend as he became
the youngest pole winner and race winner in the series' history.
Moreno improved on his sixth place starting position to finish fifth after an impressive drive in the conditions. Afterwards Jackson described his delight at winning his first car race so early in his career. "That was just great," said the Kildare based racer. "The conditions were very difficult but I don't mind the wet and I knew after yesterday that I had the pace and the car to win."
His team principal John O'Hara was very impressed with both his drivers after a productive second weekend of the season for his fledgling outfit. "Ali did a fantastic job all weekend and it's just disappointing that we had that fuel problem in race one," said O'Hara "But the way he drove in the second race was very impressive and it was hard to believe we were looking at a driver in his second race meeting."
Moreno had a very good first weekend with the team, too, and I believe the pace he showed in practice and race warm up was more indicative of his real potential. He'll be a podium contender very shortly, I believe."
"What was most important was that we got another good haul of points and showed that we are the fastest team at the moment. Things are looking up and I'm looking forward to coming back her next month.”
There was due to be a third race on the weekend but the torrential rain forced the race organisers to postpone it to the next event on the Asian F3 calendar which is back at Zhuhai on July 15th/16th.
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