The Wera Tools British Kart Championships head to the iconic Paul Fletcher International (PFi) circuit this weekend [9-10 October] as the IAME, TKM and Bambino classes are set for a dramatic crescendo at the series reaches the final rounds of 2021.
After an action-packed season which has seen the popular British Championships host a bumper number of registrations battling it out across the country for the biggest title in UK karting, the three categories will head for the Lincolnshire circuit as their season unfolds in style.
Being the only karting short circuit in the country to hold International ‘A’ Grade Track license, the 1382m layout is the perfect place for the new Wera Tools British Champions IAME, TKM and Bambino to be crowned.
Whether it’s the foot to floor right-left under the bridge or the two hairpins that invite late lunges, PFi is known for its thrilling action and close fought battles, no matter what category is on track. With such a long lap time due to the length of circuit, any mistake is magnified in the lap time, with small gaps making the difference between qualifying on the front row or bringing up the rear.
The IAME classes will be giving it everything they have over both days as their final weekend plays host to a double header round, with large points hauls up for grabs each day. TKM and Bambino race to the regular championship weekend format with qualifying and heats on the Saturday with Pre-finals and Finals on Sunday.
As with all our championship events this year, the action from the race days will be shown live on the British Kart Championship’s Facebook page and new for 2021, the popular Motorsport.TV platform. As well as the racing, paddock news, features and updates, the coverage will offer the perfect way to view the action, as it unfolds during the day along with our ever-popular paddock shows in the evening with the Alpha Live team.
IAME Cadet
With the top half of the table dominated by karts and from Fusion Motorsport and Oliver Rowland Motorsport, it’s going to be interesting to see which teammates work together, and who goes for the glory. Zac Drummond (Fusion Motorsport) currently sits at the top of the table heading to the weekend on 810 points while Lewis Wherrell (Oliver Rowland Motorsport) sits in second place on 755. With two days of racing still to go all could change with big points needed to minimise the impact that drop scores can do to championship positions. Noah Wolfe (Fusion Motorsport) sits in third on 724 and after winning the PF and GP plate at PFi already this year, he’ll be looking to be at the front end of the grid all weekend.
Mini X30
It’s been a close rivalry this year between Fusion Motorsport’s Leo Robinson and PMR Driver Program’s Macauley Bishop. After five rounds this year only 17 points split the two drivers with Robinson on 828 points while Bishop is on 811 with both young talents sitting on the top step of the podium during the season. Wesley Swain (Fusion Motorsport) sits a further 53 points behind in third place and will be looking for a strong weekend to secure his place on the championship podium, whilst knowing that any trouble for the top two could put him right into contention for the title.
Junior X30
Argenti Motorsport’s Daniel Guinchard leads the charge in Junior X30. With a relatively healthy 52-point lead over Jade Racing Team’s Oliver Stewart, Guinchard will be looking for a strong weekend at the sharp end of the grid whilst keeping himself out of harm’s way and any on-track tangle. Consistency will be key. 2020’s number three plate, Bart Harrison (Mick Barrett Racing) finds himself sitting third in the championship again this year but only 10 points behind Stewart. He’ll be looking to make it to at least the second spot by the end of the weekend.
Senior X30
Senior X30 has been home to a host of talent this year and coming into the final rounds it’s Clayton Ravenscroft (KR-Sport) who leads the title battle on 775 points. Thomas Fleming (DHR) sits 13 points behind while Strawberry Racing’s Thomas Turner is in third on 756 points. With drop scores coming into play at the end of the weekend, stability is vital to maintain and gain championship positions. Many of the title contenders are proven race winners in this class and with PFi being many of the driver’s favourite track, expect fireworks throughout the weekend with races regularly ending in a photo finish across the line.
Junior TKM
Privateers Alistair Cresswell and Alfie Garford lead the way in Junior TKM. With a 25-point difference between the two drivers and wins in class for both already this season, the weekend is set to be tense for both protagonists. However, only one point behind the top two is TWM’s James Morley who will be looking to get the jump on the two drivers ahead. With only one remaining round for TKM, the all-important qualifying sessions will undoubtedly be key to build a strong weekend.
TKM Extreme
James Pashley (Privateer) sits 35 points clear at the top of the table in TKM Extreme followed by the current number one seed Adam Sparrow (Privateer) who is looking to secure his second title in a row. Sparrow is followed by Joe Fowler (Klaassen Motorsport), Joseph Reeves-Smith (Litchfield Motorsport) and Theo Hesketh (TWM), with all three split by just four points!
With five drivers in contention, an error from any of them could prove to be disastrous in what has been one of the closest TKM Extreme championships in recent years!
Bambino
The top five drivers in Bambino enter the final round at PFi with less than 40 points between them all. It’s all to play for still in the class as Austin Newstead enjoys a 27-point lead over Colbe Pattison who has just five points in hand over Max Gilman in third. Jack Baker sits in 4th only one point adrift. Bambino has been nose to tail all year, with a photo finish at Rowrah for the podium in their last round, like all the other classes, it’s set to be a blistering final’s weekend.