Rotax returns to the beautiful Cumbrian countryside as Rowrah plays host to the second weekend of the Rotax season in the Motorsport UK British Kart Championships. After a brilliant opening weekend, the drivers now return to action and after lots of testing and club racing preparation it’s in the national championships where drivers will need to be at their best.
MINIMAX
Archie Kitching and Sam Gornall were the winners across the two finals last time out, although it would be Kitching who would be just a little more consistent when the points counted. Alex Hughes however is currently ahead of Gornall in the standings so this could be the weekend he makes his big impact on the field.
Ryan Wills was unlucky not to score higher from his opening weekend at PF International when the pace certainly suggested that wins were on the cards. Harley Haughton and Jez Williams will want to get their title campaigns back on track while Tristan Rennie is sure to be a front-runner on a fast flowing circuit such as Rowrah. Expect some good races from Harri Reynolds and Callum Voisin who’s recent form at this circuit in other categories suggest they could well have an advantage for qualifying which will give them an upper hand for the race weekend.
JUNIOR ROTAX
As far as Kai Hunter is concerned, he’ll be hoping that Rowrah is business as usual after two wins in the first weekend of the year. But Taylan Babbs and Tom Adams will be keen to show they can catch him and the early weekend form is going to be interesting to observe from these two. Myles Barthorpe will be very keen to keep tabs on all three men, as he sets his own sights on a championship run.
Whilst Harry Newman-Oakley and Ben Caisley took full advantage of the time they were given in March, the two men could find the going tough from Brodie Trayhorn and Matthew Higgins who will want to set the record straight after frustrations in Lincolnshire and a proven track record at this circuit. Harrison Collings will also want to gain some good points back on the likes of Jack Steadman and Hugh Lawrenson who both impressed many people at PF International as 2019 already looks likely to be their strongest season yet.
SENIOR ROTAX
The fans are clearly hoping that Senior Rotax remains as unpredictable as it was six weeks ago, but Kieran Gifford is clearly loving life at the top of the standings and will be digging deep to find stronger form in order to remain there. His opposition is no surprise: Bradley Barrett and Oakley Pryer have found their feet very early, in the latter’s case particularly impressive in his first senior campaign. James Lowther will be a little frustrated after the season opener, and 4th in the standings simply won’t be good enough for the reigning British Junior champion.
Rhys Hunter simply didn’t have the luck his younger brother Kai had in the Junior brigade, so as far as he’s concerned things can only get better at Rowrah, and knowing him they probably will. Myles Apps wants to make up ground this weekend as a win is surely imminent, whilst Lewis Malin and Luke Wooder have started their seasons very convincingly and if the kart is as good as they each deserve it to be this weekend, both men could be walking away from Rowrah with a trophy or two.
ROTAX 177
Despite Nathan Chafer and Levi King snatching victory in the season opener, it’s James Beacroft who kept his form solid and smooth and his two second places see him as the championship leader heading to Rowrah. James Moorcroft and Michael Cheek will be expecting to take victory this weekend and their experience of winning their Open and English titles respectively should come in handy if the changing conditions bite the opposition.
Louis Large has had a seemingly frustrating start after his electric rookie run to the title last year, but with drivers like Chris Wright and Adam Sadler starting well in 2019 he’s going to need to raise his game yet further. Luc Oliver won here last week after a blitz of the opposition so his confidence will be sky high, but with Daniel Deveraux starting brilliantly at PF International he won’t find it easy to remain at his level.
Rowrah sees two days of intense competition, with Tunafish Media on board to film coverage of the second final of the weekend, and Henry Beaudette calling the action both in the commentary box and on social media. With rain set to hit the circuit on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, it could be a very tough weekend.