
	OPEN ENDURANCE KART CHAMPIONSHIP

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	2007 summer chaMpionship ROUND 3 whilton mill

	RACE REPORT
	Round 3 of the 2007 OEKC Summer Championship was held at Whilton Mill on 13th May. As the teams arrived at the circuit the predicted stormy weather hadn't materialised but the track conditions were damp. Deciding on kart set up would be crucial during practice. Ten Rotax's would line up on the grid & with a couple of regular teams unable to make the race their numbers are steadily increasing. The Biland contingent were down on numbers due to other commitments leaving Red Mist Racing as their sole competitor. As practice got underway the rain clouds overhead were giving a very light sprinkling of rain. The track was too damp for slicks but the Vega wets would struggle to last the distance unless the heavens did eventually release the forecasted downpour. The Max of TT Sport mastered the conditions to take pole in 51.25. Appliance Maintenance, racing their Prokart chassis'd Max were 2nd in 51.41 with APC Racing 3rd in 51.62 After a short break, the teams formed up on the grid with the exception of Stanion Slicks who were still making adjustments to their kart. They then had to chase after the pack over the two formation laps. The forecasted heavy rain still hadn't materialised and the greasy conditions would make for an interesting start. Appliance Maintenance made a perfect start getting ahead of TT Sport into the first corner with APC Racing making their move through turn two to take second spot for the drag up to Christmas Corner. FDM Racing and Le Maverick had also had good starts and each gained a position in the opening two corners. Appliance Maintenance then had a problem through Christmas Corner allowing APC Racing to take the lead and TT Sport to regain one of their lost places. Red Stripe Racing having dropped back in the opening laps were now starting to make a move through the field and were soon battling with Box Tech for 4th In the wet conditions both FDM Racing & Appliance Maintenance were struggling with misfires, requiring both quick pit stops to try & rectify the problem. Unfortunately for both teams this wouldn't the only time that they would need to return to the pits during the race to get to the bottom of the problem. Lost in Transit were also finding the conditions testing in their first wet endurance race. TT Sport had picked up the pace and retook the lead and after the first 15 minutes they headed the field from Red Max Racing and APC Racing. The three karts covered by 5 seconds. Red Stripe Racing lead the chasing pack some 15 seconds further down the track. Unfortunately TT Sport wouldn't stay at the front for long. They too would circum to the weather, the airbox being choked with water and slight accident damage to the nose cone requiring lengthy trips to the pits to resolve. At the one-hour mark, Red Max Racing led, with APC Racing second and Red Stripe Racing third. The top four teams were covered by less than 14 seconds and the first of the scheduled pit stops were approaching fast. A fast efficient stop could make all the difference today. The weather was also being kind to the Vega wets and the heavy rain was now descending. Once the stops had been completed the leader board had indeed been shaken up. Box Tech were now leading from Red Max Racing & Red Stripe Racing. With 2 hours of the race complete, Box Tech still held the lead, with Red Stripe Racing having overtaken Red Max Racing for second. Le Maverick making progress through the field to be fourth. APC Racing had had braking issues that had dropped them to fifth. Stanion Slicks who had started over half a lap down had also moved through the field into sixth. Red Mist Racing in the Biland were still getting to grips with their new kart in the wet conditions, its first outing in such conditions. The rain continued to fall heavily making seeing let alone driving difficult and the majority of teams suffered some form of off track excursion. Even the leaders Box Tech were spotted spinning down the back straight after straying onto the grass. As the race entered the final hour Box Tech still held the lead, from but Red Stripe Racing, but APC Racing had moved up to take third. Disaster the struck Le Maverick as brake problems forced them to pit and this dropped them back. Stanion Slick however were having a great race and were now up to fifth. With just 296 laps completed in the 4.5hrs Box Tech crossed the line to take the chequered flag from Red Stripe Racing in second and Red Max Racing third. The Championship is very close with Red Stripe Racing leading the Overall Championship on 125 points, Box Tech move up to second on 120 with Red Max Racing two points further back on 118 The next round of the championship is at Whilton Mill on June 10th, and we look forward to seeing you all there.

Regulations