On Sunday 7th June 2009, the MPMC organised a 3 hour endurance race at Buckmore Park Karting Circuit in Kent.
The day was fully subscribed with 19 teams taking part. There was a minimum of four drivers per team racing Pro-Karts in full power spec capable of 70mph on the straights and only an inch from the floor!
Race Report by Geoff Lamb. Photos by Rik Harding.
Sunday 7th June, and the forecast was for showers during the day. This would be ok for the experience drivers, but slick tyres on a wet surface spells entertainment for those new to karting…!! On arrival at 10 O’clock, it could be seen that the track was damp in places but the corporate event already underway had cleared a dry line.
After kitting up with helmets, gloves, ‘rib-techs’ and overalls, 19 teams of four drivers made their way to the briefing suite. After the race director had done his bit, a quick check from the balcony confirmed that the track was dry - a real bonus, but would it remain that way for a half hour practice and full three hour race…..??
The karts were set-up in their full ‘Sports’ mode, allowing for speeds of up to 70mph on the straight!! 19 drivers got into their karts and mayhem ensued….. It is easy to be caught out by the speed and sheer cornering ability of theses 390cc Honda powered Sodi karts on racing slick tyres; or by the differential in abilities (and bravery!!) between drivers.
At the end of practice and qualifying, P.Nuts had taken pole, but only by virtue of setting their best lap time of 50.904 before Passion DoI set an identical time! Team LFB were next up with 51.004 and on the outside of row two were Zazza Chop with a 51.403. VT had five! Teams entered, with VT Racing 1 a lowly 9th on the grid on 52.134, and Team Robson took up the rear of the 19 kart field with a best time of 56.304.
Geoff Lamb of P.Nuts was to take the start and it was immediately obvious that, although good in the twisty stuff, kart number 5 was a little down on power. Swamped at the start, P.Nuts were 3rd at the end of lap1 and, after being half spun at the first hairpin, 4th at the end of lap2.
Passion DoI were quickly into their stride, flying off into an early lead, with VT Racing 1 making progress through the field. Zazza Chop picked up an early black flag for excessive contact and rejoined down the field after their ‘talking to’.
Using carefully planned strategies and consistent lap times, P.Nuts took the lead on lap 36. Geoff kept a clean sheet and handed over to Alan Churchyard on lap 52 who held the lead until handing over Dave Berry on lap 101. However, Alan’s run wasn’t all clean and he’d picked up a contact warning. Dave then picked up a further two and, on lap 147 was black-flagged for a ‘talking to’!!! This decimated a 40 second lead that P.Nuts held over the opposition, namely VT Racing1, who had made fantastic progress from 9th to 2nd position.
Dave handed over to Richard Lawton on lap 149, and in doing so also handed the lead to VT. Rich was on a mission, quickly getting up to speed, closing down the 8 second gap and passed VT for the lead on lap 158. But the race wasn’t over yet - all teams must stop in the pits at least five times during the race. This included driver changes and fuel stops and P.Nuts had only stopped four times. If a team stops and the same driver continues, that driver must get out of the kart, run around and get back in; this simulates a driver change. Rich extended his lead over VT, judging to perfection when he needed to come in and do his ‘run around’ and still emerge in front of VT (he’s been watching too much F1!!). All went to plan - Rich is athletic and jumped out of the kart and was round it in a flash. Back in the seat and onto the loud pedal and…..nothing!! In getting back in, Rich had knocked the kill switch and the engine was dead. Valuable seconds were lost and he emerged behind VT, but only about three seconds or so.
With twenty five minutes of the three hours left to go, Rich calmly picked off the number 16 kart of VT Racing1 and drove to an eventual 11 seconds victory. Zazza Chop recovered from their black flag to also finish on the podium.
Fastest lap went to Passion DoI at 50.144.
Everyone said they enjoyed the day and will be back next year. Spread the word!
So then, the finishing order (grid positions in brackets):-
1. P.Nuts (1)
2. VT Racing1 (9)
3. Zazza Chop (4)
4. Passion DoI (2) fastest lap 50.144
5. Team Stevens (6)
6. Team LFB (3)
7. Touches Boys (13)
8. Under Dogs (10)
9. Team BMW (14)
10. VT Racing2 (12)
11. VT Racing5 (5)
12. Performance DoI (11)
13. Team Spud (16)
14. Pilgrim (15)
15. Presence DoI (8)
16. VT Racing4 (18)
17. VT Racing3 (17)
18. Team Robson (19)
19. DH Dodgers (7)