BECCLES & DISTRICT KART CLUB
CLUB MEETING 26th May 2003

The third round of the 2003 summer championships plus a round of the NKRA series were held at Ellough on 26th May.

COMER CADET / HONDA CADET / WTP CADET
Seventeen Comer, WTP & Honda cadet karts began the first final of the day in bright, sunny conditions. The Comer cadets starting at the front of the grid, led away from the lights by Cassey Watson, one of an increasing number of female drivers at the club. Cassey, Alex Widdrington and Francis Harrold soon pulled out a lead ahead of the pack. By the end of the first lap Alex and Francis were contesting first place after Cassey had run slightly wide on an infield corner. Both boys exchanging places several times before Francis pulled a three metre lead on lap five. Andrew Moore, starting from midfield on the grid, had progressed well through the field to take third spot from Cassey. At the chequered flag, Francis Harrold had managed to hold off Alex for a well deserved 1st place, Alex Widdrington in 2nd place. Andrew Moore coming home in 3rd spot, also claimed the Marshall's Driver of the Day award. Cassey Watson finishing close behind Andrew to claim 4th place. Rhys Malyon taking 5th spot with Oliver Hodgson in 6th. First restricted position and ninth overall going to Clinton Bridge.

Daniel Fisher again dominated the Honda cadet class, working his way through the Comer cadets to finish in 1st place ahead of Nicholas Roots in 2nd.

Thomas Stanway in a WTP cadet kart received another chequered flag in a final in May, driving well to finish in front of James Buckingham in 2nd. Oliver Hindle coming home in 3rd place.

MINIMAX / JUNIOR TKM
Four Mini-max karts lined up for the final. Nicholas Wones starting from pole position on the grid, immediately opened up a lead ahead of Oliver Walker and Ben Sampson. Problems for Ben and Aston Baker meant the leading duo were able to pull out an impressive lead. Nicholas, always maintaining a five metre gap over Oliver, crossed the line in 1st, Oliver Walker taking a deserved 2nd place. Ben Sampson coming home in 3rd.

Fourteen karts contested the Junior TKM final. As a result of the increase in entries in this class, the quality of racing keeps improving. Danny Fiske, Ashley Ruggles and Jamie Bardwell, all showing an improvement with every round. After fourteen laps of good, close racing, Jamie Bardwell took the win ahead of Danny Fiske in 2nd spot. Ashley Ruggles coming home in 3rd place with Luke Woodland in 4th. 1st restricted trophy going to Thomas Crowther.

JUNIOR TKM INTERMEDIATE / JUNIOR ROTAX
The Junior Intermediate TKM final saw four drivers contest the lead from the green light. Tommy Eustace, Thomas Healy, Elliot Lees and Adam Blackmore, raced around the circuit with no more than a metre between each of them. Tommy keeping the lead until the ninth lap, when a spin allowed Thomas and Adam through. Ben Conner in 3rd, hung on to Adam's rear bumper for all his worth. Thomas Healy, one of the NKRA visitors, maintained his lead to take the chequered flag. Ben Conner overtook Adam Blackmore on the last lap for 2nd position. Elliot Lees just behind Adam for 4th. Benjamin Firbank finishing in 5th place with Bradley Roberts in 6th.

The Junior Rotax final again provided a quality field of karts, roaring away from the green light. Mike Donnelly from Doncaster giving local drivers Reece Broady and Michael Groves a hard time for the first few laps. By lap six, Ashley Beales and Matt Skilton had slipped past Mike and began the effort to catch the leading pair. Michael Groves, driving consistently, overtook Reece at two thirds distance to take the chequered flag. Reece Broady finishing strongly in 2nd spot ahead of Ashley Beales in 3rd. Matt Skilton coming home in 4th with Mike Donnelly in 5th place.

NKRA / VIP / SENIOR TKM 4 STROKE
The NKRA Rotax karts led off this mixed field. With Andrew Spencer driving consistently lap after lap, Andy Hudson had to work equally as hard to be in position when a chance arose, to slide past on the final lap to claim 1st place. Andrew Spencer, kept his momentum to finish in 2nd spot ahead of Mark Baines in 3rd. Tom Limer coming home in 4th position.

Roger White took the flag in the VIP class. Tom Wilson claimed 2nd with Penelope Jones in 3rd just ahead of Adam Wilson in 4th.

Starting from the rear of the grid, the five TKM 4 strokes thundered their way round the circuit. Jason Fowler leading the group for a couple of laps before Wayne Close took over. Paul Steady, a newcomer to the 4 strokes, driving well in third place ahead of Lee Close in fourth. At the flag, Wayne Close, took the win after opening out a good lead over 2nd place driver Jason Fowler. Paul Steady finishing in 3rd with Lee Close in 4th overall and 1st restricted.

SENIOR ROTAX MAX
A grid of twenty Rotax karts started the Senior Rotax final. Pole man Kevin Bishop, beaten to the first corner by Gordon Chenery, drifted wide on the apex allowing Julian Warner and Jason Baker through the gap for second and third places. Kevin recovered well to slot in behind the leading trio. Nick Phipps, William Albrow and Gavin Petty leading the rest of the field. Gordon Chenery used all his experience to maintain the lead to the flag, Julian Warner a few metres behind in 2nd. Jason Baker crossed the line in 3rd place, but was disqualified from the results after scrutineering problems. Kevin Bishop was therefore promoted to 3rd spot with Nick Phipps in 4th. William Albrow in 5th place ahead of Gavin Petty in 6th. 1st restricted trophy going to William Smith.

Brian Hilliard