
	OPEN ENDURANCE KART CHAMPIONSHIP

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	2008 Summer Championship ROUND 7 Whilton Mill

	RACE REPORT
	A cooler but dry Whilton Mill welcomed the teams for the 7th round of the 2008 Championship. With a forecast of cloud throughout the day set-up would be an easier task than in the previous round. Today two of the competitors would be testing alternative rubber. KKC would be running the Maxxis HG1's and CMW the Bridgestone YJL's as assess their suitability as the Championship control tyre for 2009 if a move away from the Kartline's is wanted by the teams. KKC had also been busy promoting their Rotax hire package and had 5 teams join the grid. With qualifying underway KKC (HG1's) showed their pace immediately posting a 48.48, promptly returning to the pits to tend to their other teams. Box Tech were the quickest of the Kartline shod teams with a 49.23 with TT Sport third 49.48 CMW using the YJL's were 6th fastest on 49.63 The fastest of the hire teams was The Wet Dreamers in 11th posting 50.42 As the race began TT Sport made a great move under Box Tech into the 1st corner to take second. CJ Davies in their TKM 2/ were also on the move, up to 5th at the end of the first lap, then taking CMW for 4th on the second lap, a fantastic performance. Appliance & APC would both make early stop to fix problems. APC's being a new battery that gave up after just two laps. They would however find that perseverance does pay off in endurance racing. After 20 minutes KKC were using the additional grip of the HG1's to gradually pull away from the chasing pack. TT Sport were 8secs back, holding off Box Tech who were glued to their bumper. CJ Davies still held 4th with Marshall the highest placed hire team 6th. Red Max would encounter engine problems with the motor not wanting to rev out. After numerous visits to the pits to change almost all the engine ancillaries they decided to call it a day. After the first round of scheduled fuel stops KKC had stretch their lead to 40secs from Box Tech with TT Sport now 3rd. APC who had been last after 3 laps had moved through the field to 5th. Marshall were still the highest place hire team in 8th For the second race running Red Stripe would be having an early bath. After the expensive engine blow up last race, this time their chassis snapped. Their luck must surely change soon. KKC continued to dominate on the HG1's and after the second round of fuel stops had increased their lead to 3 laps over Box Tech. TT Sport were hot on Box Tech's heels though just 8secs adrift. Red Mist in 4th were now being challenged by APC who were just 5secs behind in 5th. 10 minute shy of their fuel window Box Tech then had problems. A failing battery saw them limp slowly back to the pits requiring a change. Those minutes lost would see the chance of the win today evaporate. Their main championship rivals Red Mist would also suffer problems with two broken chains late on in the race dropping them down the field. A problem that we haven't seen for them for the majority of the season. As the race entered the closing stages APC had now moved up to 3rd (net 2nd) behind TT Sport who themselves were having problems with the radiator working loose necessitating James to try and stop it getting any looser as he continued to lap in the 50s. Box Tech would have to make a splash n dash to make it to the finish. KKC proved the pace and duration of the HG1's even posting the fastest lap of the day on lap 309 with a 48.38 some 8/10's faster that the quickest Kartline team Box Tech 49.20. CMW posted a fastest lap of 49.53 with the YJL's TT Sport would take the win from APC in second and Boxed In taking their first podium in third. Marshall headed the hire teams in 6th with the Chubby Checkers making a late run to be second hire team in 8th overall. The final round of the Championship is on the 9th November at Whilton Mill. Get you entries in to Chris or if you're interested in racing one of the hire karts contact either KKC for a Rotax or Saxon for a Biland.

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