The revised circuit 2 had a number of surprises for drivers, particularly the new line at the exit of the Bus Stop onto Yamitsu Straight. Anyone who was a little over-enthusiastic here would end up on the grass resulting in a significant reduction in lap time! Fastest laps of the day were guaranteed to set new lap records.
From grid 5, Ellis Hanks was quickly into his stride. Third at the end of lap 1, he took second from Jack Bliss on the next lap and was into the lead on lap 3. Pole-sitter Tom Harris was a visitor to the grass, dropping to 11th. Stephen Letts benefitted, taking 2nd and Matthew Davis took third after an up and down race. Honda Cadet driver Jack Partridge drove through the field to finish 2nd on the road, lapping around 3/10ths of a second fasted than the Comers.
Gary Henderson-Keirle looked pretty dominant in Junior TKM, and ended a comfortable winner, despite Sam Grogan gaining on him mid-race. Will Van Es followed in 3rd.
Aaron Charles was once again in a class of his own at the head of the MiniMax field. Toby Reynolds and
Thomas Prior tangled at Easton as Reynolds went for 2nd. Prior dropped to the back of the field with Prior also slipping down the order, leaving Henry Jackson and George Williams 2nd and 3rd. A recovering Prior had a terrific scrap over 4th with Chad Shiner, Prior just coming out ahead.
Rotax Junior driver, William Hillyard was another lights-to-flag winner with plenty in reserve.
While Joe Forsdyke put in a flawless drive at the front of TKM Extreme, interest was centred on Lloyd Ellison’s progress from the back of the grid. By lap 4 he was in 5th tracking Andy Martin, following him through past Adam Jenkins on lap 7. Two laps later he was into 3rd, chasing Katie Doggett. A late braking move at Stow almost came off, but Doggett nipped back in front to hold on to the runner-up spot.
Rotax 177 is fast become a Holland family benefit show, with Dan leading from lights-to-flag. The only
driver able to match get anywhere near Dan’s pace was James Darch who deposed Lee Torrie for 2nd at half distance. Torrie now fell into the clutches of Tom Holland and after brief resistance, Tom moved into 3rd. In Veteran, Tim Penstone-Smith was unable to maintain his early pace, and Dave Stimpson took the class win by 3 seconds.
125 Gearbox was won by Lloyd Scriven. Running 2nd for a number of laps, Scriven got a wake up call from Paul Lawson on lap 5, dropping down a place. Re-energised, Scriven was back in 2nd a lap later and took the lead from Ray Thomas three laps later. Lawson’s race came to an untimely end with mechanical failure, allowing Richie Schmitz to scoop the last podium place.
Kyle Chesterman was the worst affected of the Rotax Senior drivers who hit trouble at the first corner as several karts ended up in the wrong direction. Marc Dawson on pole was well clear of the problems, and Luke Caudle emerged in 2nd. Caudle’s challenge on Dawson was ineffective and they both slowed sufficiently to let Dominic Russell and Josh Parker past. Parker then had problems at Kimbolton and dropped to 5th. Caudle subsequently was eliminated from the results, leaving Dawson 2nd and Anton Stamps 3rd.