Penultimate Kart racees at Dunkeswell

lee.glanville@archant.co.uk
14 October 2009

ONE HUNDRED drivers descended on the South West's premier circuit to contest the penultimate round of the 2009 club championship. The weather played ball and gave the competitors a dry track for the whole weekend.

The heats were hard fought and in the cadets, Bradley Drowne took the first with Ryan Anderton taking heats two and three. In the MiniMax heats Mac Austin and Sam Morgan continued their championship battle taking a win each with the 2009 champion, Tyler Weedon taking the third. The Junor Rotax heats saw Cody Tree win the first two, but sitting out the third, in which Craig Mooney scooped the win.

Adam Murphy and Jacques Jensen locked out the Senior Rotax class with Murphy winning heat one and three and Jensen heat two. In Rotax 177, Colin Davis took the first heat with a resurgent Stewart Baker winning heats two and three. Last up, and making the most of the dry conditions were the 250 National boys. Making it a family affair, Luke Plain took heats one and two whilst 2008 champion, Lee Plain, took the flag in heat three.

The finals were fast and furious with many of the drivers fighting for maximum championship points.

In the cadet class, Anderton continued as he started and led from lights to flag with Harrison Thomas edging out Drowne on the last lap for second.

In the MiniMax final, Austin and Morgan continued their battle for the championship. On lap four Morgan slipped passed pole sitter, Austin, to take the lead. Sam Marsh, on the new Intrepid Storm chassis, moved up from sixth on the grid to take second place on lap 10. Austin, obviously struggling, lost out to Weedon on the last lap. The result, Morgan, Marsh, Weedon and Austin. It's looking good for the final round with Austin still leading the championship from Morgan. In the Junior Rotax final, Tree stormed from sixth on the grid to take the lead on lap five which he held to the flag. Levi Coombs, despite dropping a few places in the early laps, battled back to take second. Craig Mooney took third.

Jacques Jensen enjoyed an untroubled run to the flag from pole in the Senior Rotax final whilst behind him, Adam Murphy and Phillip Haworth battled it out over the 15 laps for second and third. In the end, it was Murphy who edged out Haworth as they crossed the line and also set a new lap record with a 46.09. Stewart Baker, capitalising on a strong set of heats led the 177 final from the flag and was never threatened. Behind him, Colin Davis took second setting a new lap record with a 46.82. Nigel Hughes coming from eighth on the grid took third with a stunning display of driving. The 250 National boys put on an excellent race with Lee Plain taking full advantage on the first lap to take the lead from third place and hold it to the flag. Behind him Luke Plain, despite dropping to fourth at one point, battled through to take second. Chris Morris was third.

The final round of the championship, where most of the titles will be decided, is at Mansell Raceway on November 25. Thanks must go to the support teams in race control, timing, medical team and the marshalls.

Final Positions

Libre Cadet

1. 34	Ryan Anderton		BRM
2. 26	Harrison Thomas	BRM
3. 48	Bradley Drowne		BRM

Rotax MiniMax

1. 21	Sam Morgan	Alonso
2. C	Sam March	Storm
3. 53	Tyler Weedon	Alonso

Junior Rotax

1. 71	Cody Tree	Tony
2. 99	Levi Coombs	Tony
3. 23	Craig Mooney	Tony

Senior Rotax

1. 52	Jacques Jensen	Redspeed
2. 23	Adam Murphy	Kosmic
3. 28	Phillip Haworth	Tony

Rotax 177

1. 95	Stewart Baker	Redspeed
2. 71	Colin Davis	Redspeed
3. 18	Nigel Hughes	Redspeed

250 National Gearbox

1. 46

Lee Plain

Jade