Stiddard Trackside at Clay Pigeon May 28th 2005

Several teams had journeyed southwest to Clay Pigeon the week before round 3 of the Stiddard Trackside GP and rounds 6 & 7 of the GP Premier. The championships are wide open and such is the prestige of the series now that teams have upped their testing programmes and are pushing to get an advantage in the championship.

The mini heat wave on Friday had lulled several people into a false hope for a hot sunny race on Saturday (me included). Saturday dawned overcast and cold with a stiff wind blowing causing all sorts of set up problems with the majority of teams trying desperately to balance out the front and the back of the kart. Nearly everyone had the back end of their charges twitching and stepping out early on.

One of the teams who have as yet to fire on all cylinders this season, are current champions RKC Racing 1. Although they have shown fleeting glimpses of brilliance they haven't hooked up the consistency of last year. Indeed such is the strength and depth of the field that there are a large number of teams waiting to pounce. Ed Munns was back in the saddle after a leave of absence to sit his accountants exams - he is one of the quickest and most experienced drivers on the grid and it's good to see him back behind the wheel.

New to the championship was the 60 kart of Feature Windows, piloted by James King and James Rygor as well as the 61 kart of CW Racing's Andy Godfrey and Alex Coxey. Andy is dipping his toe in the GP water from the Challenge series to get a comparison and some experience at other circuits. Also on the grid today was the 30 Kart of Clay Kart 1. The Clay shop normally put out a team when the Trackside circus comes to town. They are normally very quick too.

Timed Qualifying

So to timed practice, after a small glitch with timing equipment everyone got down to the serious job of converting practice into times and what a session followed. The top twenty teams were covered by a second and the other two teams were more than capable of being up there were it not for mechanical woes early on.

The battle for pole position was a real dogfight between four teams, any one of which could have taken pole. However it went as follows: RKC Racing 1 grabbed pole from Zoom Lynn Road by two tenths with the same distance between them and third placed Auction My Igloo with Special Racing Projects in fourth by two hundredths of a second - incredible! Such is the standard now that the 5th to 8th have all won races in this series and are still having to fight tooth and nail to qualify in the top 10. For the record the order was KKC, Roadrunners, RKC Racing 2 and B&R. Clay Kart 1 took 9th which was a surprise as I expected them to be pushing for pole. It's incredible that Kartsmart could only qualify tenth with a lap time half a second off pole. Titan Motorsport, double-header winners at Milton Keynes were down in 11th alongside twice podium placed Auto 1 Racing, with GP winner JD Vipers just behind in 13th. It was great to see Dawn Hunt on the pace in the 27 kart. New team Feature Windows looked very useful in 14th only 6 hundredths of a second off the JD Vipers time. I was also pleased to hear the sound of a very sweetly running Red MAX kart taking 15th place which was as much a relief for me as it was for Jason and Steve as I was running out of adjectives to describe their appalling reliability this season. Monte Kashmiry and Chris Bristow are, by their own admission, finding the step up to the GP Premier tough this year, not because of outright performance but because of the stamina required to do 4 ½ hours of racing between them at the pace required to be at the sharp end. I feel their pain and it would be a loss to this championship if they went back to the Challenge as they bring much more than a just grid slot to proceedings. Both Monte and Chris are great spirits, quick drivers and nice guys and that is always needed in any forum. Rapid Logic seem to carry baggage around Clay Pigeon, it has been a bit of a bogey circuit to them in recent times although a top five result last time out helped. 2old2b Racing weren't having a great time here this weekend either and struggled to hook it up. Despite his best efforts OX Team's John Oxburrow could not get the OX Cart to work in qualifying and could only manage 19th just ahead of Zero Racing who had James Michell from Red Stripe Racing subbing for Simon Bichara in the Zero Team. Also my sincere apologies to James for calling him John in the Buckmore report. The final two grid slots went to Barry Hammond and CW Racing who had some mechanical difficulties early on and struggled to get laps in.

So the scene was set for a thriller in Dorset with all the big guns in the right places and a few out of place which always makes for entertainment as they try to work their way through to the front.

The Race

Off the line RKC 1 made a clean getaway with Auction My Igloo in hot pursuit. Behind the front-runners was some bumping and barging as they all tried to make space for themselves. The 30 Clay Kart 1 got slightly sideways at the chicane and Kartsmart got a run on him but going into the hairpin the field bunched up again, Matt Coles had nowhere to go and caught the back of the Clay kart causing both karts to lose time. Clay 1 took offence at this and things got a little silly on the start / finish line. A chat with Paul Beatty the C of the C a little while later put things back into perspective and normal service was resumed by the Clay kart.

Further back JD Vipers and Kartmasters were having a terrific battle for 10th with only 3 thousandths of a second splitting their best times. Zoom Lynn Road lost out again in the early troubles and were down in 12th slot. OX Team were making good progress up the field and were dragging Zero Racing and Hammonds Heroes with them. 2old2b Racing were having a great tussle with Red Max until Ian Russell had an engine let go on him and put him out of the race. 18 seconds covered the top 12 karts at the 20 minute mark with all of the teams on the lead lap in the 35's.

Auto 1 Racing were having troubles of the mechanical variety [puncture due to contact with another kart] and were falling back while Kartsmart were starting the long climb back after the early altercation.

KKC and SRP were having a humdinger for 5th and worthy of a special mention at this point were new team Feature Windows who were running very well in 3rd place and pushing Auction My Igloo for 2nd.

At this point B&R found a second wind and slipped into second place ahead of Auction My Igloo and Feature Windows. Titan Motorsport were now on the move and up to 5th while KKC and SRP kept swapping positions. RKC Racing 2 and Zoom Lynn Road kept each other, and us, entertained for 8th while Roadrunners, Kartmasters, JD Vipers and OX Team were still locked together as one. Rapid Logic, Kartsmart and Red MAX were another battle and it would take the fuel stops to separate these pockets of action.

Feature Windows & JD Vipers pitted early and dropped back. Feature Windows having mechanical woes which would see them retire on lap 93. Roadrunners fuelled and rejoined down the order but ahead of JD Vipers, importantly for them. Also making good progress was Barry Hammond in the Hammonds Heroes kart now up to 14th and still moving forward. OX Team was up to 9th and Kartmasters 8th.

No-one could stay with RKC Racing 1 at the front and by half distance they had put a lap on everyone. The boys were definitely back in town. With their guest driver, Charles Le Boutililer or Charlie to those of us who can't spell, showing the field how it's done. Charlie is a Clay specialist but let that not detract from this guy's obvious talent. When he handed the kart over to Jo Giovannini at the fuel stop he had driven a fabulous first leg and deserved the lead. Auction My Igloo stayed out over the hour and took the lead when RKC 1 pitted with OX Team lying in third also still to pit. Titan who had pitted was up to 4th and looking strong. With all the pit stops completed and everything settled down, the order was RKC 1 from Auction My Igloo and Titan Motorsport. Zoom Lynn Road were back up to fourth ahead of SRP and KKC. Zero Racing had a "moment" when they lost a left rear wheel coming out of the complex putting David Orford into a stomach turning spin that put them out of the race [not quite - they did eventually re-start and finish] and sent the detached tyre heading for the hills thankfully alone.

Kartsmart's Matt Coles was working hard to keep the No 2 kart in a straight line following his first lap altercation and was doing extremely well to get back up into contention. Rapid Logic rounded out the top 10. Auto 1 Racing were doing well just ahead of JD Vipers.

At the flag RKC 1's Jo Giovannini took the win which added to their pole, fastest lap and wild card to max out the points for the morning. All their Christmases came at once. Titan Motorsport took a very well deserved 2nd place with a very strong drive from both Martin O'Neill and Robert Parfoot. Auction My igloo took a great third from B&R Racing who worked hard and got rewarded for it. Special Racing Projects took the final podium place for the GPP which was well earned.

In the GP OX Team took a great victory from JD Vipers who were absolutely delighted with second. The trip to Dorset was worth it just for the smile on their faces. A special mention for Barry Hammond who took a fantastic third place for Hammonds Heroes despite some mechanical woes early on. Red MAX had a good race in the GPP to take 12th While Roadrunners and Rapid Logic would have been disappointed with 13th an 14th but not as disappointed as Kartmasters who messed up the end of the race and took an 8 lap penalty for missing a pit stop, ouch! This dropped them to 15th overall. Zoom Lynn Road lost another chain and dropped to 16th just ahead of CW Racing who found the going pacey in the GP & GPP Series. Clay Kart 1 also had mechanical difficulties as did RKC 2 who lost an engine and parked it. Feature Windows and 2 old2b Racing also retired with mechanical problems.

Post Race Analysis

What a day! So many teams and individuals worthy of mention, Charles Le Boutililer for RKC 1 was in blistering form and didn't put a foot wrong all race, Titan Motorsport's strong drive, Barry Hammonds in the GP, Dawn Hunt's great drive and return to form, Features Windows strong debut. I could go on. This was a hard fought race today and it was obvious that everyone wanted it. RKC 1 took it and in doing so put the cat firmly among the pigeons!

GP Premier Series Round 7

The teams worked feverishly between the GP and Premier races to get everything ready for the 3hr Premier Round 7. With Titan Motorsport alongside pole sitters and round 6 winners RKC 1 the start was going to be important. Equally with Auction My Igloo and B&R filling the second row the two front running teams needed to keep an eye out for the fast starting second row chargers.

Special Racing Projects, KKC, Kartsmart and Auto 1 Racing are all capable of winning races and with 3 hours ahead of them and the weather now warming up meant the track was giving up some grip. The magic figure at Clay Pigeon is 20 degrees C. About that temperature the track gets grippy! Sure enough as the temperature went through the milestone the grip appeared. For some it was a hindrance as they simply had too much grip. For others it was a godsend.

Red MAX didn't get much of a mention in race 1 although they had done a solid job and were now looking to use the full power of their engine to chase a good result here, Rapid Logic just wanted to put some gremlins to bed, Kartmasters just wanted to finish well, Zoom Lynn Road were looking to get back on track after reliability issues had stalled their championship campaign, Clay Kart 1 wanted to demonstrate how quick they really were around Clay, Zero Racing wanted to keep all four wheels on their wagon and finish with a good points score While RKC 2 and 2old2b Racing had done a fantastic job to be on the grid at all given they both had to change engines out in the interval.

The Race

At the start, Special Racing Projects got a flyer and took the lead from B&R. An absolute blinding start from Clay Kart 1 put them in 3rd from RKC 1 and Titan who got mugged at the start by the front trio. Titan Motorsport tripped over Zoom and RKC 1 in an attempt to get back on terms with the lead kart and what followed was a demonstration by Robert Parfoot of Endurance driving. He systematically picked off all before him to get back on terms with the leaders over a 30 minute period. It was great to watch and I bet it felt great to drive too.

Behind them KKC were making good progress and were on a clever strategy. These guys would be one to watch as they know how to win here. Kartsmart were also on the move as was Auction My Igloo but in the wrong direction at this stage having dropped to 9th.

Titan Motorsport were now knocking on the door of Special Racing Projects who unbeknown to us at this stage were having brake trouble. Or lack of brake to be more precise. This would eventually force them out of the lead with the pads completely gone. A crying shame as they were definitely on the pace this afternoon to win. As it was they finished 5th. The front battle was now between Titan, RKC 1, KKC and Kartsmart. At this stage the teams were so close together and with the same number of stops left to do, it really was anyone's race.

Meanwhile, Kartmasters were struggling with too much grip causing fatigue and eventually the guys would pit and park it after Chris Bristow had a big off in a coming together in the midfield which knocked the wind out of his sales and when Monte finished his stint Chris was still too sore to continue. Julian and Dawn Hunt did stints but eventually they succumbed to the inevitable.

2old2b Racing had a coming together with Red MAX when Steve Johnson was driven over by the 42 kart going into the hairpin. Steve initially thought his hand was broken as it swelled to the size of a football but a visit to the paramedic confirmed only superficial damage, which is more then could be said for the 95 Red Max kart which was definitely out of the race. A real shame as the guys where running so well, even with rookie driver Stephen Argent-Moss in his first competitive drive for the team, they were on for one of their best finishes of the year and certainly their most competitive. Beating all of these guys to the early bath was Auto 1 Racing who parked it after only 25 laps with mechanical woes [a persistent engine misfire which about a week later was identified as faulty wiring loom]. After their great start, Clay Kart 1 dropped back and hovered around the midfield for the remainder of the race. Rapid Logic moved steadily up to 6th one place ahead of Auction My Igloo who finished 7th.

So to the battle for the podium, Titan Motorsport were looking strong until their conrod saw daylight while exiting stage left from the bottom of the crankcase. This was just at the turn into Billy's blind where the four karts following all lost control when the fluid content of Titan's engine, which had been deposited instantaneously onto the track, caused a complete loss of friction for the braking pursuant mob. Luckily everyone survived the experience and continued on a few ounces lighter. Titan retired on the spot.

The race to the flag was concluded when RKC Racing 1 took the chequered flag with Charles Le Boutililer taking the honours from KKC who drove a fabulous race to finish 2nd from B&R and Kartsmart. Special Racing Projects as previously mentioned took the final place on the podium.

Post Race Analysis

Today belonged to RKC Racing 1. Charles Le Boutililer drove in the second race with as much stamina and conviction as the first, obviously a very fit driver who only Titan hung with for pace. Ricky Comber also drove today as quick as I have ever seen him drive. The new kart and set up obviously suited him and Jo who performed well, as ever, to make this a clean sweep for the RKC boys. Fastest lap in this race too, meant maximum points today.

Special Racing Projects did well to finish on the podium given their distinct lack of brakes, and  I felt for Titan Motorsport - they certainly deserved better. KKC and Kartsmart had good afternoons and for a while they both looked like they might nick it. Honours though for drive of the day go to RKC Racing 1 for a job very well done.

Report by Neil Ashcroft from  Fastroc

Click for Neil Ashcroft's photographs of Zero Racing on race day.