WHILTON MILL - SO CLOSE TO VICTORY

"What a shame" was Mikes reaction after Ash made a great attempt at winning his first Stars round. The meeting started well, with Ash setting the fastest time in practice on Friday and then keeping his driving smooth on Saturday as he pushed to reduce his lap times. The weather had been mixed, but Sunday was a sizzler, so the lap record was in danger.





Ash was due out on the track for the second heat of the day, so the track was starting to build up some rubber. Starting in 8th, the plan was to get a top three place, but Ash did much better and won the heat!


In the next heat, Ash was starting 6th, so once again a top finish was anticipated, and coming second ensured that he gained another bundle of points. Ash set the fastest time of the day up to that point, despite collecting a bent axle in the process.
The next heat was almost back to back with the second one, so there was no time for Mike to strip the Kart and replace the axle. Ash was sent out to do his bestknowing that by starting 22nd any progress past 10th would have been exceptional. Once again Ash did better than expected and came in 4th! Mike said "It was his best drive ever, and proved that in the right frame of mind, he can win the meeting". Perhaps that was tempting fate, but with 2nd on the grid it was all to play for.


On the warm up lap, the rear of Ash's Kart took a battering from the driver behind, and although the Kart was only a couple of weeks old, what was about to happen next, was unpredicted. Firstly, Ash made a great start and by the second lap had moved into the front, passing his Ultimate team mate Matt Parry. Then the bumper snapped which initially affected the rear grip, allowing Matt to pass Ash. Once the faulty part had been spotted by the Clerk of the Course, Ash was given a mechanical flag and had to return to the Pits. Mike worked quickly to get Ash back in the race, but several laps down. A sad end to the meeting as the bumper must have had a fault to have sheared off so easily.. Ash and the team were obviously upset, but alas that is Motor Sport but at least another 129 points for the championship.

One last piece of data that is encouraging for Mike and Ash is the overall lap times. Ash was very consistent this weekend and proved to set the 9th fastest time and could easily have been third fastest! That further cements his claim to being in the top 10 drivers in the class and encouragement for the rest of the season to aim for a top 5 finish. The foundations have been laid, and despite not getting good points in the final, the heat points all help to keep Ash towards the top in the championship. Once the official table has been produced it will be posted here.