After being away from racing for a year, India’s Akhil
Khushlani made a fantastic comeback by claiming second place in Round 10
of the JK Racing Asia Series at the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit.
Driving
for US Formula Project, a sister team of Eurointernational, Khushlani
started the race sixth on the grid and after a good start, was able to
pass fifth placed Irfan Ilyas at the end of the first turn.
From
there he pushed ahead and began to make his move on Hiqmar Danial, who
by then was in third after being overtaken by Nabil Jeffri after a bad
start. Khushlani found a way past Danial on the second last turn at the
end of the first lap.
Jeffri was ahead and pushing on
to catch up to winner Afiq Ikhwan, but by the end of lap two, Khushlani
caught up to the Euro international driver and took him, once again at
the second last turn. The Indian driver managed to maintain a good pace,
setting the fastest lap on lap 5.
“It feels good. I
feel confident now, especially after a bad practice and not such a great
qualifying. It feels really nice to be back on the podium. I am happy
with myself because I had a year’s gap and I am back on the pace with
the fastest lap and going from sixth to second. I can’t ask for anything
more,” Akhil said.
“I had a very good start. I
gained one position by the end of the first corner and I saw the others
making mistakes and took advantage of it. I saw opportunities coming so I
planned my overtaking accordingly and I played safe, as I did not want a
DNF.
“This result is probably the best way to make a comeback.
I
can’t ask for anything more. Podium and racing at Silverstone, feels
really nice and I hope to keep the performance up from now,” he ended.
Afiq Ikhwan has returned to form, making a clean sweep of wins. Ikhwan claimed his second win, once again from pole.
The
JK Racing Asia Series will return to Asia for Rounds 11 and 12
scheduled to be held during the Airtel Indian Grand Prix at Buddh
International Circuit on October 26 to 28.
