Another dry day at WL - think that makes it 4 in a row although I think we were luck as it wasn't too far down the A19 that it was tipping it down!!
I have had a few calls asking for the results. I know they will be posted on the results section in the next day or so, however, I didn't collect a results sheet so this is from memory:
Elite
1st Grant Murray (MBM/RPM) 2nd Chris Bancroft (MS/RPM) 3rd Lee Metcalf (R2/BLE) 4th Graeme Macfarlane (MS/RPM)
Clubman
1st Adam Harrison (7Kart/RPM/Lard) 2nd Aly Worral (7kart/??)
Overall another successful day I think. 28 prokarts in total over the 2 classes despite a weather forecast that looked like it could have been a washout. Marshals did a good job although the drivers receiving a blue need to be very aware that there tends to be more than one leading kart about to pass and get right out of the way. Full marks to the returning Ian Snowdon for his excellent example of what to do - younger drivers take note!
More importantly the race officials/scrutineer were firm but fair. Warning flags used with numbers is a great step forward and you are in no doubt which kart got the warning or black even. Also scrutineer pointed out 2 karts on the sl3 tyre from free practice which shows they see more than you think, however, it was a genuine mistake and a new set of sl1s later and both karts took to the grid legally (messrs Lea need to take the reading glasses to Anderson's next time).
Finally, cylinder heads were removed from the top 3 elite drivers and winning clubman. All Elite were passed with no issue. Mark Foster, however, was disqualified for using a GX200 head gasket promoting Adam Harrison to winner.
From my perspective the above is a ringing endorsement for the clean racing we strive for at Warden Law. In the past Rolland was good at spotting something in Honda that wasn't quite right. Bill clearly has an ear and eye for it too. The Elite drivers get to where they are by honing their craft - it is not all about the best equipment as Dave Brewis (9 year old Wright R1) and David Harrison (2003 R2) demonstrate but rather knowing how to set the kart up, drive it and look after it correctly. It is obvious to both drivers and officials that there is something not quite right when a driver takes the wrong lines and is slow through the technical bits yet can blast past on the straight. The GX160 engine simply can't show these characteristics unless there is something not quite right. They have also been around for years so all the cheats are known. In my view better to come 15th on a grid of 28 and know you have done so legally than 5th and disqualified.
From a personal view on the racing I had some really good battles with Chris, Lee and Grant all close and nearly no contact (Grant!!). Heat 4 was by far the best. Lee and I swapped placed a couple of times, I went off the track on the straight (idiot), Lee's stub broke, hit him on the head and I drove underneath it and finally caught Grant who drove round the inside of every corner to hold me off for the win (bu66er). Starts were a lot better (but wait to you see the results sheet for jump start of the year!)
Graeme
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