SALE kart racer Jay Goodwin landed an important psychological blow on his title rivals with a superbly taken win in Wales.

Goodwin took the opportunity to test himself against his domestic rivals at Glan Y Gors (known as GYG) in North Wales on March 18 and scored a vital win to boost his pre-season title hopes.

The North Walian circuit hosts the second round of the prestigious British Super One Kart Championship in May.

At the picturesque Glan Y Gors circuit – located near Betws Y Coed – Goodwin began brightly, posting the second-fastest time overall in qualifying. In the following two heats he claimed second and first place finishes, securing first place on the grid for the main final.

Under the watchful eye of three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx, who mentors Jay at the iZone Driver Performance Centre at Silverstone, he found himself dropping to 3rd in the melee for the first corner. Having found his rhythm, Goodwin closed in on the leaders.

“My engine oiled-up on the formation lap which meant that, when I put my foot down at the start, there was no virtually power at the bottom of the rev range. The motor quickly sorted itself and I was able to hold onto the place and match the pace of the two lads ahead.”

As they crossed the start/finish line to start lap five, Jay had chosen the moment and place he would attack for second: “Through each corner the leaders were defending apart from Turn One. As we approached it, I stuck my nose down the inside and held the line.”

It paid off and just one tour later, Jay repeated the same manoeuvre to snatch the lead. Once ahead, he doggedly fended off the challenges from behind for the remaining eight laps. Eventually, the chequered flag brought the tense and nail-biting drama to a successful conclusion and with it relief for Goodwin.

“I’ve never been so glad to finish a race!” he said afterwards. “I was under pressure all the way to the end but that’s what makes it all the more satisfying. It’s a big boost for me ahead of Genk and shows that all the hard work I’ve put in over the winter has paid off. I’d like to thank Andy (Priaulx) for his brilliant advice, the guys at iZone, Elliot Challifour at Porsche Human Performance who has got me to the best fitness of my life, my mechanic Leon McDonald and Strawberry Racing team boss Warwick Ringham for their hard work and giving me a winning kart. Finally, I’d also like to dedicate this win to my new sponsor, Jamie Davidson of J Davidson Scrap Metal Processors who is supporting my bid to win the Euro Max Challenge.”

Keep up to speed with Jay and his racing career by visiting www.jaygoodwinracing.co.uk