BECCLES & DISTRICT KART CLUB

CLUB MEETING 21st February 2004

The second round of the 2004 winter championships was held at Ellough on 21st February.

COMER CADET

An excellent field of sixteen karts started the cadet final in dry but very cold conditions. Championship leader Oliver Hodgson, starting the race from pole position with Alex Widdrington in second place and with three good finishes in the heats, Tom Griffiths started well up the grid. From the green light Oliver and Alex were battling it out for first place, never more than a kart length between them. Sam Blake, Tom Griffiths and Craig Pollard were having their own contest for third place. At the front, Oliver slipped past Alex on lap five. Consistent driving from Nick Albiston saw him come through the field up to sixth place. At the flag, Oliver Hodgson chalked up his second final victory over 2nd place driver Alex Widdrington. Tom Griffiths after another good drive took 3rd place overall and the 1st restricted trophy. Sam Blake, worked hard for his 4th position ahead 5th place driver Andrew Moore. Nick Albiston finishing in 6th place after Craig Pollard spun out on the last lap.

JUNIOR TKM

Five Junior TKM karts started the final. Ashley Ruggles starting in pole position after three heat wins, soon opened out a lead. Tristam Macro and Steven Chisholm trying their best to restrict the gap to a few metres. As the race progressed, Ashley’s lead grew bigger every lap. With the rest of the field seemingly unable to match his speed or consistency, Ashley Ruggles finshed in 1st place ahead of Tristam Macro in 2nd. Steven Chisholm coming home in 3rd with Stuart MacClinton in 4th. David Evans taking the restricted trophy in 5th place. 

JUNIOR ROTAX MAX

Three junior Rotax karts in the final, but with Peter Masters having to start at the back of the Mini-Max grid, Oliver Thorpe and Oliver Walker were left to race on their own. Oliver Thorpe led for eleven of the fourteen laps before Oliver Walker managed to get past. Keeping to the racing line saw Walker take the win just ahead of Oliver Thorpe. Peter Masters coming in 3rd and 1st restricted.

MINI-MAX

Nicholas Wones led away the eight kart field in the Mini-Max final. Josh Bass and Bradley Smith in close attendance. Bradley overtaking Josh on lap two to go second. Daniel Fisher driving well in fourth place ahead of James Lincoln. With everyone settling down in line for several laps, Josh Bass attempting to regain second place, made an error and allowed two drivers through. By this time, Nicholas Wones had opened out a lead which he held to the flag. Bradley Smith coming home in 2nd place ahead of Daniel Fisher in 3rd. Luke Branch took 4th spot with Josh Bass recovering for 5th position. James Lincoln finished as 6th overall and 1st restricted driver. 

SENIOR ROTAX MAX

As the wind chill factor increased, Ashley Beales, having one win and two high scoring heat finishes, started the final on pole with Gordon Chenery beside him. From the green light, Ashley stayed in the lead until the infield section before Gordon edged past. William Smith moved up to third with Julian Warner in fourth. By lap three, Julian had taken third spot unfortunately for Julian this happened under a waved yellow flag, and would affect the result at the end of the race. Miles Crowther’s first senior Rotax race was going well, moving through the field into sixth spot. On lap eight Miles had overtaken William to go into fourth place. Lap nine saw Julian slip past Ashley for second, Gordon, easing off towards the end, suddenly found Julian right on his tail, but keeping his line through the chicane and start straight kept in front to the flag. Julian Warner crossed the line in second place but withdrew from the race due to the yellow flag incident. This promoted Ashley Beales in to a well deserved 2nd place. The marshals also recognising the quality of the drive awarded Ashley the Driver of the Day trophy. In 3rd spot was Miles Crowther just ahead of William Smith in 4th. William recovering well from his accident at the last meeting. Paul Canning finishing in 5th with David Adams in 6th. Lee Morgan as 1st restricted driver. In the Rotax 175 class, Mark Bowen finishing in 1st place ahead of Glen Attewell.   

 Brian Hilliard