BECCLES & DISTRICT KART CLUB

CLUB MEETING 24th January 2004

The first round of the 2004 winter championships was held at Ellough on 24th January.

CADET

On a sunny but cold afternoon, a strong field of sixteen karts contested the Cadet final. Oliver Hodgson pulling straight into the lead ahead of 2003 cadet champion Alex Widdrington. Sam Blake and Tom Griffiths battling it out for third place. By the end of lap five, the leaders were beginning to work their way through the back markers. Oliver and Alex both driving exceptionally well on a track that was still wet and slippery in places. Further down the field, the three girls in the class, Jasmine Gunton, Katie Dobson and Charlotte Wones were having their own contest, with no more than a few metres between them. At the flag, Oliver Hodgson taking a well deserved win over 2nd place driver Alex Widdrington. Sam Blake, the marshals driver of the day, worked hard for his 3rd position ahead 4th place and 1st restricted driver Tom Griffiths. Craig Pollard finishing in 5th with Simon Harris coming home in 6th.

JUNIOR TKM

Triple heat winner Ashley Ruggles led the group away from the lights. Stuart MacClinton close behind in second place with Steven Chisholm settling down in third. Ashley quickly opened up a gap but by lap four Stuart had caught up and was pushing for first place. Ashley made a mistake at the exit from the double apex corner, went across the infield and rejoined the track forty metres ahead of Stuart. Realising the possible penalties if he carried on in this position, Ashley allowed Stuart to catch up and take the lead. Unfortunately, at the hairpin, damage to his kart meant Ashley had to pull out of the race for four laps. Stuart MacClinton settled down and took the win ahead of Steven Chishom in 2nd place. David Evans finishing as 3rd overall and 1st restricted. Ashley Ruggles having repaired his kart coming home in 4th place.

JUNIOR ROTAX MAX

Oliver Thorpe showed his class on the day with wins in all three heats and the final. Oliver Walker, finishing in 2nd place and Jack Piper, son of Anglia TV presenter Kevin Piper, coming home in 3rd gave their best efforts but could not quite catch Oliver Thorpe. Peter Masters finishing strongly as 1st restricted and 4th overall.

MINI-MAX

Four Mini Max karts started in the final, being led away from the green lights by Daniel Fisher. Rupert Svendson-Cook, Nicholas Wones and Luke Branch immediately tucking in behind him battling for second place. Nicholas, making the first attempt to gain the lead, succeeded before the end of the first lap with Daniel dropping down to second place. At the end of lap two, Rupert pulled out with apparent engine problems. The race settled down allowing Nicholas to open out a twenty metre lead over Daniel. At the flag, Nicholas Wones taking the win, with Daniel Fisher in 2nd. Luke Branch coming home in 3rd place.

SENIOR ROTAX MAX

With the sun getting lower all the time, ten Rotax Max karts and two Rotax Max 175 contested the last race of the day. Gordon Chenery starting on pole going straight into the lead followed by Liam Lambert and Phil McLintic. Brian Lely shooting up to fourth from sixth place on the grid. Leyton Nisbett just behind in fifth place. A red flag on lap nine after Ashley Beales had gone off the track and through a tyre wall, meant that at the restart, Gordons first half lead had disappeared. Leyton immediately forced his way past Paul Canning to take fourth place before coming off the track at the end of the start straight. Phil Mclintic moved up to third with Paul Canning in fourth. Gordon Chenery, despite coming under pressure from Liam Lambert was always in control, doing enough to keep the lead to the flag. An excellent drive from Liam Lambert to take 2nd place. Phil Mclintic coming home in 3rd ahead of Paul Canning in 4th. Gary Lambert in 5th position ahead of 6th overall and 1st restricted driver Lee Morgan.  Kevin Silcock taking the win over Mark Bowen in the heavyweight class.

 Brian Hilliard