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    13 June 2012| last updated at 08:08AM

    MOTOR RACING: Nabil holding on to dream

    By Arnaz M. Khairul

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    NABIL Jan Al Jeffri heads to Europe next week, vowing to return with the JK Racing Asia Series championship lead in his hands.

       After four rounds of racing, Eurointernational driver Nabil trails South African teammate Aston Hare by just five points and is confident of turning the tide in his favour.

       The series heads to the Paul Ricard Circuit in France next weekend and Spa Francorchamps in Belgium two weeks later and 19-year-old Nabil is confident that his experience will give him the upper hand.

       "My aim at Paul Ricard will be to qualify on pole and gain as much experience as I can as the field there will include many European drivers," said Nabil.

       In his expected battle with Hare for the championship, Nabil believes he holds the  edge, having spent the past two years in the series.

       "I'm confident that with my experience,  I'll be able to learn the circuit faster although I've never driven there. That will give me the  edge," said Nabil.

       A controversial entanglement with MeritusGP's Afiq Ikhwan Yazid at the final turn, as they both battled for the victory in Round Two at the Sepang Circuit,  robbed Nabil of vital points which gave Hare the lead.

       But Nabil still believes he has what it takes to meet his pre-season goal of winning the championship.

       "Yes, my aim is to win the championship and move up to Formula Three next season," said Nabil.

       "In the last round, I was always the fastest but I was a bit unlucky in the second race. It will be better in France."

       Both Eurointernational drivers have a decent gap over the rest as they head to Europe.    Hare leads with 67 points, ahead of Nabil, 62, while third placed Akash Neil Nandy of MeritusGP is on 45 points.

       Nabil will also be looking to end a five-year wait for the next Malaysian to win the title in the JKRAS, which was previously known as Formula BMW Asia.

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