British Kart Championships: Post-race report: Warden Law

Last weekend, 18th – 20th September, the British Kart Championships travelled north to Warden Law for the fourth event of the 2020 series. With full grids across most of the Rotax and Honda classes, the weekend hosted impressive competition, and many gained vital championship points. Warden Law is situated in the North-East of England and has over 20 years’ experience of providing karting events. The 1200-metre circuit was laid in 1996, it is both fast and technical and was the perfect backdrop for the unrivalled action from the British Kart Championships.

Maximising the opportunity on Friday to set up the karts, the drivers took to the circuit for the practice sessions to test their karts, ensuring they were competition-ready for Saturday and Sunday. After the additional practice sessions on Saturday, the action kicked off with the timed qualifying and heats. Qualifying on pole in the Honda Cadet class was Lewis Islin, followed by Timo Jungling in second place and Zac Drummond in third. However, it was Connor Duncan who climbed four places to claim the win during the first heat. Zac Drummond claimed the win during the second and final heat, followed by Timo Jungling in second place. An impressive performance from Ewan Charman, saw him climb 10 places to claim third place during the final heat.

Zac Drummond and Timo Jungling made up the first row for the pre-final. The young Jungling battled his way to the top spot and crossed the line in first, earning himself pole-position for the final. It was Ambition Motorsport driver Joshua Graham who was ultimately crowned champion in the Honda Cadet class this weekend, after climbing four places during the final to win. Joining him on the podium were his two teammates Blake Ticehurst and Ewan Charman – making it a full podium of Ambition Motorsport drivers.

Harry Linden was looking dominant during the weekend in the Minimax class as he was fastest during two of the three practice sessions on Saturday and qualified on pole during the timed-qualifying session. But Finn Smith and Pierson Bullock-Carter denied Linden the win during the first heat. Finn was again crowned the winner of the second heat, putting him in prime position for the pre-final. It was Duncan Steven who claimed the win during the pre-final but Linden was back on top as he in the final after gaining an early lead. Joining Linden on the podium were Mackenzie Douglass and Finn Smith.

Welsh-driver Matthew Higgins looked likely to win the Junior Rotax class last weekend. He qualified on pole out of a grid of 28 drivers during the timed qualifying session and won the first and second heats, putting him on pole for the pre-final. Unfortunately, a five second penalty during the Pre-final for Higgins saw Mattie Hingley claim the win. During the final, Higgins climbed four places to claim second place ahead of Callum Voisin. A perfect performance from Sam Gornall saw him lift the first place trophy. 48 drivers made up the ultra-competitive Senior Rotax class last weekend, but only one could be victorious. It was DHR driver Kai Hunter who claimed the top step of the podium, followed by Morgan Porter and Nelson King.

But, it was the Rotax 177 class that provided the most entertainment this weekend to all the viewers across the live stream. The interchangeable weather during the final on Sunday saw most of the grid opt for wet tyres, except for Henry Ayers. Starting at the back of the grid, Ayers didn’t have time to change his tyres to wets when the rain started. Choosing to stay on slicks, Ayers struggled to stay with the grid during the final. However, as the track started drying, Ayers’ tyre choice worked in his favour. He climbed through grid and gained considerable time back as the race continued. Ayers, took the chequered flag and received a loud cheer from the other competitors and on-lookers in attendance. Joining Henry Ayers on the podium were Oliver Appleby and Matthew Easton.

The British Kart Championships returns this weekend, 25th – 27th September, with IAME and Bambino classes at Mansell Raceway. All the action will be again live streamed on the BKC website and Facebook page on Sunday 27th September.

For the full results, please visit: https://www.apex-timing.com/goracing/results.php?path=/sports-timing-uk/2020/20200920&group=5