Mike had a much better meeting this weekend. Provisionally up from 19th to 8th?
Qualifying was very close, and having blown his best engine up in practice, had to settle on 'The Donkey', which managed to get Mike 16th quickest out of approximately 50 entrants.
Three heats preceeded the finals, and with two 5ths and an 8th place, Mike was 3rd on the grid for the 'A' final. In the heats he set the fastest time of the day, so all was set for a good Final.
Always tricky at Whilton, position 2 is always at a disadvantage, so the line of 1,3,5 etc has an advantage if they work as a train. If you look back at the report from the last Whilton club round, you can easily get squeezed out, which was what happened to Mike then. From the lights Mike followed Luke Caudle into the first bend with James Bean from row three close behind. Martyn Lyall in position 2 found it difficult to break into the chain and rebounded off the karts of Mike and Beannie into the inside and onto the grass. Just a racing incident that unfortunately is far too common at this circuit. Martyn rejoined at the back and then made good progress through the field.
The contact although slight lifted Mikes kart off the ground so it landed heavily on the nearside front wheel. Mike continued up the hill, but struggled to turn in, allowing James Bean and another through. Mike soon adjusted to one wheel being slightly out and was fine in the bends, but the extra drag in a straight line lost him some time and after a few laps despite catching the front drivers, a late and inappropriate lunge on Mike by the driver then in 5th, took Mike off the track and onto the grass, only to rejoin towards the back of the pack.
The driver who had made the contact retired with damage a few bends further into the lap, so had gained nothing from his behaviour, but Mike plugged away, and despite his handling problems worked back to 10th by the finish.
Qualifying was very close, and having blown his best engine up in practice, had to settle on 'The Donkey', which managed to get Mike 16th quickest out of approximately 50 entrants.
Three heats preceeded the finals, and with two 5ths and an 8th place, Mike was 3rd on the grid for the 'A' final. In the heats he set the fastest time of the day, so all was set for a good Final.
Always tricky at Whilton, position 2 is always at a disadvantage, so the line of 1,3,5 etc has an advantage if they work as a train. If you look back at the report from the last Whilton club round, you can easily get squeezed out, which was what happened to Mike then. From the lights Mike followed Luke Caudle into the first bend with James Bean from row three close behind. Martyn Lyall in position 2 found it difficult to break into the chain and rebounded off the karts of Mike and Beannie into the inside and onto the grass. Just a racing incident that unfortunately is far too common at this circuit. Martyn rejoined at the back and then made good progress through the field.
The contact although slight lifted Mikes kart off the ground so it landed heavily on the nearside front wheel. Mike continued up the hill, but struggled to turn in, allowing James Bean and another through. Mike soon adjusted to one wheel being slightly out and was fine in the bends, but the extra drag in a straight line lost him some time and after a few laps despite catching the front drivers, a late and inappropriate lunge on Mike by the driver then in 5th, took Mike off the track and onto the grass, only to rejoin towards the back of the pack.
The driver who had made the contact retired with damage a few bends further into the lap, so had gained nothing from his behaviour, but Mike plugged away, and despite his handling problems worked back to 10th by the finish.
MOTORS TV Alan Taddei said 'At Whilton Mill, Luke Caudle continued his dominating form with yet another lights to flag win from Pole position at his favourite circuit, this time at the National S1 championship. Motors TV joint leaders Martyn Lyell and Michael Comber qualified P2 and P3 for the "A" final, but had a coming together through turn 1 which saw Lyell knocked down the order. Comber continued on with a bent chassis but was later knocked off himself when running 4th, recovering to finish 10th.'
The revised tables are not available just yet, but it is anticipated that Mike should now be above 10th in the championship if the results have all gone in his favour. At this stage any position in the top 15 will be a good basis for the remaining races.
Next week is a drive to Rowrah for the 3rd&4th rounds of the Motors TV challenge, which Mike is the joint points leader. Once again he will be up against Luke and Martyn plus Matt Bell and James Tucker who finished in the top ten today at Whilton.
Many thanks to the Wilsons etc and to Terry Langley and Jeff, for the extra special support today.
Obviously thanks again to Dave and Danny from Klaassen MotorSport for getting the kart to work. Excellent photos from Chris Walker as usual. Please checkout www.kartpix.net for more.
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