Hamilton heroics brings back happy memories for Dave
Last updated 11:22, Tuesday, 04 November 2008
BRIT Lewis Hamilton’s stunning F1 world championship success brought back memories for former Rowrah official Dave Bewley.
Bewley was race commentator on the then 13-year-old’s last visit to the west Cumbrian circuit for a kart race a decade ago.
He had just moved up in to the 100cc Junior InterContinental British championship for youngsters aged 13 to 16 and finished second behind Mark Fell, from Dalton-in-Furness, in the final, raced in wet conditions.
“It must have been one of the few races Lewis lost that year as I think he went on to finish second in the British championship,” said Bewley.
“Saturday’s practice had been fine, but it looked like Sunday’s racing would have to be cancelled due to the weather.
“They held it back as long as they could before starting.
“It was Mark’s local circuit and he knew the track. He won it easily, but Lewis was next.
“Lewis was racing a kart that shouldn’t have been competitive in the wet, but he made it competitive. He was able to adapt to any circumstances, even then.
“That year was his last in this country as he went on to race abroad after that.”
Hamilton became F1’s youngest champion at 23 when snatching fifth place in the final Grand Prix of the season in Brazil at the weekend.
He pipped Felipe Massa to the title by overtaking Timo Glock with just half a mile left of the race.
