For the third and penultimate round of the Champions of the Future Academy Program UK Series, the tight and technical circuit of Larkhall played host to the Mini 60, OK-N Junior and OK-N Senior categories. The drivers would battle on a circuit that has previously welcomed stars such as Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Lando Norris and, of course, David Coulthard, who cut his teeth and began his racing career at the Scottish venue.

Forkes Almost Gets a hat-trick

On Saturday, Chester Forkes picked up where he left off at PFI by taking another victory. After securing pole position in qualifying and winning both qualifying heats, he converted his pace into a lights-to-flag victory. The absence of key rivals Alfie Davidson and Mayson Hibbert certainly helped his cause.

Forkes also benefited from previous experience of the circuit. Pre-event testing had been conducted entirely in wet conditions, meaning newcomers to Larkhall, such as Noah Cronje and Jack Klym, had fewer opportunities to learn the ideal racing lines in the dry.

Sunday brought a dramatic twist for the Mini 60 field. Forkes once again claimed pole position but came under increasing pressure from Noah Cronje, who consistently searched for a mistake from the standings contender.

By the time the final arrived, Joss Huschka had also entered the fight. After patiently waiting for an opportunity to challenge, Huschka made his move. Following contact between the pair in the second sector, Forkes lost momentum, allowing Huschka to take the lead and cross the line first on track.

However, the stewards judged the contact to be excessive and issued Huschka with a penalty. That opened the door for Cronje, whose patience and racecraft paid off. Having crossed the line in second place, the South African inherited victory and claimed his first final win of the season, more than 9000 kilometres from home.

Smith Does the Double

Smith and Khera arrived at Larkhall as two of the most consistent drivers in the field. Neither had finished outside the top six in a final all season, yet both were still searching for that elusive first victory.

Saturday qualifying went the way of Smith, but the heats belonged to Sukhmani Khera, who went two from two. Khera started the final from the front and led the early stages, but Smith timed his attack perfectly. After a day in which opportunities seemed to disappear quickly, Smith seized his chance, took the lead and controlled the remainder of the race to secure his first win of the year.

Sunday followed a similar pattern. Smith and Khera shared the qualifying heat victories, despite Colbe Pattison claiming pole position in qualifying. The final proved to be another composed drive from Smith. Leading for the majority of the race, he carefully managed his kart to the finish and secured his second victory of the weekend and the season. The result strengthened Smith's position in the standings and extended his advantage at the top of the table.

Harrison Whitticombe, Six and Counting

Several new names arrived at the third round of the season, looking to challenge OK-N Senior leader Harrison Whitticombe. Until Larkhall, Whitticombe had been unstoppable, winning every final of the season. Drivers including Riley Cranham, Laith Khan and Maayan Patel were all determined to end that streak, but Saturday belonged entirely to the field's leader. He topped qualifying, won both heats and claimed victory in the final, completing a clean sweep of all competitive sessions.

Sunday was a different story.

Cranham and Patel, in particular, found extra pace and began applying pressure to the series leader. Despite some tactical games during qualifying, Whitticombe once again secured pole position. However, Cranham's purple sectors throughout the session served as a warning that the gap was beginning to close. Whitticombe won the opening heat, but a brilliant start from Cranham in the second heat, combined with a penalty for Whitticombe as he fought back through the field, handed Cranham pole position for the second final.

At the start of the final, Cranham attempted to back the field up behind him. However, a small mistake on the entry to sector two allowed Whitticombe to reclaim his familiar position at the front. From there, the championship leader was untouchable once again, securing his sixth final victory of the season and proving that he can not only drive quickly but race intelligently under pressure.

Looking Ahead

In the blink of an eye, the inaugural Champions of the Future Academy Program UK Series season is approaching its conclusion. One final event remains, taking place in August at one of the United Kingdom's most popular karting circuits, Whilton Mill. Entries are open, prizes are on the line, and the next generation of talent is ready to take centre stage.