Warden Law – Karting North East plays host to the next round of the Wera Tools British Kart Championships this weekend [18-19 September] and whilst it offers the penultimate round for the Rotax and Honda Classes, the series will see the KZ2 British Champion crowned by Sunday evening.
Situated near Sunderland, Warden Law’s technical and narrow track guarantees nose to tail action with tightly packed trains throughout the field a regular sight during the hotly contested Finals.
Overtaking opportunities are perhaps not a plentiful as other tracks on the calendar but this in turn brings out the best in a competitors race craft, with one maneuver often brining the chasing pack with them up the order. Drivers will have to be inch perfect and maximise their lap times in order to be successful and you can expect more of the closely fought racing we have come to admire from the BKC contenders.
This year’s British Kart Championships have seen over 450 registrations across the classes with an exciting mix of newcomers and returning champions bringing a dynamic look and feel to the 2021 series. With every driver entered this weekend guaranteed a place in the final, each driver will be looking to bring home the maximum points possible for their championship aspirations.
Saturday gets the action underway with two practice sessions followed by Qualifying and the opening Heats of the meeting. Sunday provides a short Warm-up session before the remaining Heats and Finals.
Honda Cadet
With only 23 points separating the top 3 in the championship, Timo Jungling (SFR Motorsport), Joshua Graham (Ambition Motorsport) and Noah Wolfe (Synergy Race Team) will all be looking for a consistent weekend to set a solid foundation going into the final round next month at PFi. The Honda Cadet class have been nose to tail all year and at a circuit where one overtake can lead to many others taking advantage, watch out for some unexpected results during the weekend.
Minimax
With a 30 point lead in the championship and a blistering win in the final at Whilton Mill after climbing nine places, Ethan Jeff Hall (Strawberry Racing) will be looking to continue his strong form at Warden Law to increase his comfortable lead. Scott Marsh (DHR) and Harrison Crowther (Coles Racing) continue to head up the chase in second and third respectively with Marsh looking to bounce back from what he will have seen as a disappointing final at Whilton Mill, losing vital points to the championship protagonists ahead.
Junior Rotax
Olly Stevens (DHR) holds a two point advantage over Tooley Motorsport’s Neo Clarke going into Warden Law. After a strong drive from Clarke at Whilton Mill which netted him the Wera Tools Driver of the Day Award, Stevens will aim to extend his championship lead and give himself some breathing space heading to the final round at PFi. Leon Henderson (Strawberry Racing) currently sits in third, a mere 15 points away from the top step with his eyes on the prize as Strawberry Racing have enjoyed a prosperous season so far.
Senior Rotax
The Hunter brothers of Rhys and Kai (DHR) sit 1st and 2nd in the championship as they come to their home circuit of Warden Law. When we say home circuit; we mean literally – as the Hunter family own the circuit. Expectation for a home win will be high and the pressure will undoubtedly be on the family as both siblings are in with a shout of the title. KR-Sport’s Sean Butcher sits close behind the Hunter’s in third. With the Senior Rotax grid being ultra-competitive this year, the championship will likely go down to the wire at PFi in October.
Rotax 177
Strawberry Racing’s Dan Tate continues to lead the series, but sits just 14 points ahead of Louis Large (Coles Racing) and a further 7 points ahead of Matthew Easton (KR-Sport). Number one plate Henry Ayres (KR-Sport) scooped the Whilton honours but is unlikely to be able to hunt down the championship leaders and sits sixth. A small but mighty grid offers up the opportunity for any of the chasing pack to capitalise on mistakes with any one of the top five in with a shout of the title.
KZ2
After three scintillating meetings for the popular KZ2 gearbox karts, Warden Law hosts the thrilling final chapter of the season as Ryan Cannon (Andy Fairless Racing) leads the championship with a slender 22 point margin over Privateer Tom Longfield. Allan Kenyon, also a Privateer, sits a further five points behind. With 195 points up for grabs, plus bonuses for starting all rounds this season, effectively the championship is still wide open and each driver will have their eye on the spoils to become the first British Kart Champion of the 2021 season. Stand well back!
Live coverage throughout the day will be broadcast by Alpha Live on the British Kart Championship’s Facebook page as well as the popular Motorsport.TV platform. Footage will also feature on YouTube, whilst the BKC social channels provide a behind the scenes look at the weekend’s activities.
Check out the championship points HERE
Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip and behind the scenes goings-on by following the British Kart Championships on social media – using the hashtag #BKC.