Jason proved he is one of the world’s top young drivers at the World Championship in Belgium at the weekend. The Crowland 20-year-old was disappointed with his tenth place finish after suffering tyre problems but could still be proud of his best position so far in karting’s top race.

Jason qualified 9th in timed practice and then went on to finish fifth and sixth in his first two heats despite being slightly down on power. With only two sets of tyres for the weekend, tyre wear became an issue by the third heat and despite changing the rear axle Jason had to nurse the kart home to 12th.

On Sunday the Prefinal, the 15-lap race that would give drivers their starting positions in the World Championship final, saw everyone racing on new tyres. Jason made up six places in one lap, then set about chasing down three others to come home sixth.

In the final, Jason dropped back at the start but quickly came back to sixth. Ahead of him were several drivers using the Vortex engine (Jason uses a Parilla), which is known to have the right characteristics for the Mariembourg circuit, a tricky combination of fast straights and technical corners. It was always going to be a tall order to beat them and the eventual winner was Marco Ardigo on a Tonykart/Vortex combination.

After a particularly good lap in pursuit of fifth place Jason’s tyres started to go and several drivers overtook him. After 22 laps he was lying in 10th at the chequered flag but despite his disappointment at not securing a higher finish Jason was upbeat about the weekend.

“I’m much less experienced on this year’s tyres as I’ve only done five races on them and many others have done two or three times as many races this year,” said Jason.

He will now be working hard to secure funding and a team place for the 2008 season, due to start at the end of February.

Prefinal
1. Marco Ardigo (Italy)
2. Gary Catt (GB)
3. Nikolaj Bollingtoft (Denmark)
4. Benjamin Bailly (Belgium)
5. Arnaud Kozlinski (France)
6. Jason Parrott (GB)

Final
1. Marco Ardigo (Italy)
2. Gary Catt (GB)
3. Nikolaj Bollingtoft (Denmark)
4. Anthony Abbasse (France)
5. Benjamin Bailly (Belgium)
6. Alban Varutti (France)
10. Jason Parrott (GB)