By Stephan Sookram

FOLLOWING a topsy-turvey weekend in Mexico, Guyana’s Calvin Ming narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the NACAM Formula 4 Championships third round at the San Luis Potosi race track.

Ming, who opened practice on Friday, was the fastest in that section, being trailed only by his team mate Axel Matus. The two completed unofficial practice and official practice in the same order, putting in best times of 01:14.141 and 01:14:335 respectively, leaving their competition more than half a second off the pace.

During the first qualification run, however on Saturday morning, the driver’s 1:13.637 was only good enough to put Ming fifth on the grid following a mix-up in his pitting to change tyres.

According to his team’s management, Ming came into the pit too late to change tyres and as such was caught in the pitlane when the qualification segment closed. Matus, on the other hand, posted a 1:12:978 time for pole position.

Nonetheless, he was confident heading onto the track for the first race later that day, but things subsequently went downhill. After the first lap, Ming had to retire his car to the pit as his mechanics later found an issue which led to an electrical system failure and cost him the race.

Heading into the second race of the day yesterday, the Guyanese was forced to start at the back of the 15-member pack and skillfully maneuvered his way to fifth position for the third and final race of the day. In the final race, Ming battled gainfully to finish fourth just missing out on a podium spot.