Thruxton
12th April
Round 1 and 2 - MSA British Superkart Championship
Qualifying and Results.
Report by Rob Willshire
Pictures are copyright of Steve Jones (stephen.jones28@virgin.net
)
Practice
The Superkarts were the first session out so it was an early start for the
drivers. There ware 33 drivers signed on including 2 guest drivers in 125’s.
Craig Fleming was on the pace after the first few laps and was eventually on pole
with a 1:18.781. Chasing Fleming was Bennett, Tucker and Platt with defending
champion Jason Dredge down in 7th.
Most drivers were out on the gearing and were not revving out. Mathew Bett
had travelled 8hrs from
Scotland
to qualify 13th but ended his session on the tow truck. Daniel
Clarke had the chain snap as he crossed the line on his first flying lap. The
Irish driver Richard Dewart changing to new slicks in the session to put in his
best time putting him 18th but was another driver out on the gearing.
James O'Reilly giving Craig Fleming a tow in qualifying.
Race 1
Paul Platt suffered brake problems as the lights went to green. The front
rows were away but there was some ducking and diving in the pack to avoid Platt who was
stuck on the grid. Eddie Kooiker was seen bouncing off the barrier so that was
race over for him. (driver was OK). Out at the front the racing was close. It
was O’Reilly, Tucker, Dredge, Fleming and Kennedy in not particular order. I
lost count of how many times the lead changed in the first laps.
In the closing parts of the race the front pack had dropped Kennedy and
Neville by 1 second. 2 laps to go and the back markers came in to play at the
Chicane. In they went and out they came. Dredge was earning his number 1 plate
trying to avoid a backmarker. As
they disappeared from sight on the final lap the team members on the pit wall waited with baited
breath. As they came out of the chicane to the flag it was Dredge, O’Reilly, Tucker, and Fleming
all within 0.5 of a second. Gavin Bennett had pulled in on lap 7 due to a engine
seize but had managed to set fastest lap with a 1:18.039 (106.68mph).
Jason Dredge in race 1 with James Tucker close behind.
Race 2
I have never seen such an exciting superkart race and I have been to a few
over years. Jason Dredge got a good start and lead the pack away and in to the
complex. By the time they came around for the first lap all had changed. Jason
was 8th and 1.6 seconds down. James O’Reilly was in front with
Fleming, Tucker, Kennedy, Neville. All trying to use the same bath towel. The
commentator was reporting four abreast around the back of the circuit and
leading up to the chicane. For the next few laps it was side bets on who was
going to be in the lead when the came out of the chicane. The crowd were being
treated to a Torvill and Deane performance at 130 mph plus. 125 Driver,
Louise Colin
was not letting the boys take all the credit and put in a 100.99 mph lap.
Dredge managed to claw his way back to the pack but Paul Platt was also making
ground on the leaders and in to the last lap it was Dredge, O’Reilly, Tucker,
Fleming with Platt chasing hard. Round they went and it was anyone’s race. Up
to the chicane it was 4 abreast. On the run to the line it was Fleming, Tucker, O’Reilly, Platt, Dredge and Neville. All covered by less than a second. What a
race. Three different manufactures
on the podium Anderson, PVP and Jade that must be good for the sport.
Craig Fleming heading for the line in race 2 but who would be second. Close racing!!!
What a race. F1 eat your heart out £5000 for a season!!!.
Points after Thruxton
MSA F250 National
- Craig Fleming
50
- Jason Dredge
50
- James Tucker
47
- Jon Neville 34
- Don Kennedy
34
- James Oreilly
25
F250 Challenge
- Andrew Clarke
52
- Darran Smith
52
- Andy Grimm
50
- Toby Davis
40
- Martin Goodliffe
34
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