Jason’s first outing in a kart since the World Championships in September last year was was a resounding success, with Jason finishing fourth in the first race and and running as high as third in the second race, showing himself to be the top privateer throughout. The event was the second round of the Italian Open Masters at Ugento in southern Italy, where Jason was making a one-off appearance to prepare for the European Championship to be held at the same venue in two weeks time. In 2007 Jason is racing for MGM Racing, an Italy-based team running Birel karts and Parilla engines.

Starting 6th on the grid for the first Final, Jason opted to use four new tyres out of the six he had left, giving him an advantage over the other drivers, most of whom were only using half a set of new tyres. Fourth place at the flag was the best finishing position yet for Jason in an international level race, but he felt there was more to come in the next race where he would be starting in his finishing position from this race.

Jason came out fighting in the second race and gained a place to third, setting the scene for a battle with professional drivers Sauro Cesetti and Gary Catt. The pressure proved too much for Cesetti and twice he and Jason came together, resulting in Jason losing positions. Although still fighting, eventually Jason’s tyres started to go off in the hot conditions and his lack of time in the kart showed as tiredness set in. He dropped back through the field to ninth in the last few laps.

Jason was very satisfied with his weekend:

“I think we made a lot of people sit up and take notice,” he said. “I’m 19 and I was competing with professionals in their late 20s and 30s. It was a shame I was let down by my tyres in the second race but in those intense conditions the strategy can go either way. I think we’ve prepared well for the Europeans but it will be a whole different ballgame with the super-special championship tyres.”