
	OPEN ENDURANCE KART CHAMPIONSHIP

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	2007 Summer Championship ROUND 7 Whilton Mill

	RACE REPORT
	Round 7 of the 2007 OEKC Summer Championship was held at Whilton Mill on 9th September. With no date clash Saxon Motorsport were back. TT Sport, now fully recovered from their big accident in June also returning. A number of new teams had also entered swelling the grid to 18 karts comprising 13 Rotax's & 5 Biland's Practice started half an hour early to allow all the teams to acclimatise themselves to the new track layout, and they all gave a thumbs up to the new design The sun was starting to break through as Qualifying began. Box Tech put in some blistering laps to take the pole. Testing on the Tuesday had obviously helped them learn the new layout as they were some 7/10ths faster than the next Rotax with a 48.53. Saxon 1 were second and fastest Biland (48.91) with Red Mist third (49.23). FDM Racing were well off the pace & stone last, the kart not handling. On investigation a cracked chassis was detected which would curtail their racing for the day before it had even started. Box Tech started well, leading Saxon 1 into the first corner, however further down the field things weren't quite so orderly. Boxed-In from 13th took advantage of some slower starting karts & made their move to pass. Unfortunately this manoeuvre didn't work as they were squeezed onto the grass resulting in them spinning in front of the pack behind. With these karts taking to the grass to avoid each other, fortunately there was no damage and all the karts made it back onto the track. Red Stripe however hadn't managed to get to the grid for the start and were already a lap down, which as things transpired would cost them later in the race. Red Max managed to slip past Red Mist to take third on the opening lap whilst Appliance Maintenance had also moved past APC Racing to take 5th. As the teams learnt the track the times started to drop and Box Tech's 7/10ths lap time advantage over the other Max's had been reduced to just 6/100ths and Saxon 1's Biland was now the fastest kart out there on a 48.76. By lap 50 Box Tech lead by just 0.93 seconds from Saxon 1. Red Max, Red Mist & TT Sport were a further 20 seconds back. Lightwood in their first race had moved up from 15th to 8th. With 50 minutes gone Saxon 1 made their first stop, then disaster struck for the leaders Box Tech. The kart coasting to a halt at Inkermanns. Engine failure would require a lengthy pit stop to swap. They also found that their front tyres were almost down to the canvas after just an hours worth of running. These would be replaced with a set that had already completed a full race distance. At the two hour mark Red Max held a 3-lap lead over Red Stripe with TT Sport in third. Red Mist were the leading Biland in fourth. Appliance Maintenance had fallen back with lengthy visits to the pits along with Shadow Racers & APC Racing 2, all would however make it back out onto the track. By the three-hour marks the lead had stayed the same, but APC Racing 1 had now moved up to 5th and the Usual Suspects had gradually made their way up the leader board to 8th, with Stanion Slicks up to 9th. Box Tech had clawed their way to 10th but now could only hope for other teams misfortune to get them some Championship points, The final 30 minutes of the race would prove to be action packed. Red Mist on entry to the final corner had a chain let go. Resulting in the oil line being ruptured coating the track. Appliance Maintenance directly behind had no warning and went straight on into the tyres. Fortunately both kart & driver survived unscathed. Red Max would then have a scare resulting in an unscheduled stop and losing the lead to Red Stripe. Red Max rejoined the track 11 seconds behind Red Stripe with 20 minutes remaining. Those extra two points at stake could make all the difference to winning the Championship. With less than 10 laps remaining they retook the lead, eventually finishing 4.3 seconds ahead. Red Stripe came home second, rueing the lost lap at the beginning of the race. TT Sport came home third just a lap adrift. APC Racing equalled their best finish to date in 4th with Usual Suspects in their first ever Owner Driver race finishing a well-deserved 5th. At the top of the Overall Championship Box Tech's lead has been cut to just 4 points. After the disappointment at Daytona for Red Max they are now well and truly back in the hunt for the Championship. Red Stripe also have a chance if the other two fail to finish higher than 9th The next round of the championship is on October 14th at Whilton Mill, where the 2007 OEKC Championship will be decided. We look forward to seeing you all there.

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