Kimball Out of Luck

Jul 15, 2007
Budapest, Hungary – Ever since parlaying his 2003 Team USA Scholarship award into a victory in the 2004 New Zealand International Formula Ford Championship, Charlie Kimball has continued to develop his skills in Europe, working hard to chase his dream of a career in Formula 1.

This year Kimball, from Camarillo, Calif., is contesting the Renault World Series, driving for the Victory Engineering team. To date, luck hasn’t been on Kimball’s side, although he has posted a couple of top-10 finishes in an intensely competitive field.

Most recently, Kimball drove an impressive race at the Hungaroring, home of the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix, where he fought from 21st place on the grid (albeit merely one second away from the pole-winner’s time) to finish 10th and thereby earn himself pole position on the inverted grid for Race 2.

“It’s not exactly the same as being on pole from qualifying, but still a satisfying result from Saturday after having started 21st,” related Kimball.

Unfortunately, his hopes of a strong result were dashed at the very first corner, when he was sideswiped by two of his competitors, ending the American’s day with a damaged trackrod.

“The driving standards are frustrating,” said Kimball. “[Mikhail] Aleshin overshot [the first turn] but I was pretty confident I could have got him on the exit, and then [eventual winner] Alejandro [Nunez] came steaming up the inside, trying to be a hero, and took both of us out. Nunez hit me in the sidepod and shoved me into Aleshin.”

Kimball is looking for a reversal in fortune when the series reconvenes at the famed Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on August 18/19.

“I know that going into the next few races, I will be strong everywhere as they are circuits I have raced at and done well in the past,” he said. “Plus, blasting through Eau Rouge in these cars is going to be an incredible feeling, I’m sure!”

Photo: Charlie Kimball’s California Avocado-backed car at Monte Carlo