Karting

Karting Result 2007

MENHENIOT 25TH MARCH 2007

DRIVERS THE BIG PREVIEW
Darren Waite Has won big race at faster St Eval track, tipped to do well again, possibly the favourite
Rick Barker Won at the track 3 times, he's good round here but this is a step up in class now...
Steve Martyn Friend of spank has medals and go karting awards, must be on the shortlist to win
Justin Metherell. Fast at St Eval 2005, very confident, big chance
Bear Barker. Struggled in the past, will have to improve by a mile to win this, says he has new tactics though
Gavin Kitts. Has plenty of go karting expereince and could prove very dangerous opposition indeed
Nathan Mansfield Fair effort last time, must improve if he is to make the final 6 showdown race
Ben Harrison Could be anything, ppl are tipping him to crash out but he could go well
Richard MG Snell Mister Gobby reckons he can put them all to shame, youngest in the field, lacks track knowledge
James Spank Snell Older brother to Gobby, quietly fancied to beat his brother and quite a few of these racers
Dan Nicholls Had a nightmare back in 2005 when showing little speed, believes he has improved, bit to prove
Matt Bennetts Is prepared to win at all costs, put in place by Rick last time, should be in the mix
Chris Meaney Very quick here in 2005 when his wheel flew off, great chance of being in the final 6
Ross Blatchford Has done banger racing and is a boy racer type. He's confident so don't dismiss him

 

 

QUALIFIYING
It was important to get a good grid slot and it was a great performance and a slight shock to some as Nathan Mansfield stuck his kart on pole ahead of Darren and Rick.
QUALIFYING POSITION DRIVER LAP TIME
1 Nathan Mansfield 35.19
2 Darren Waite 35.27
3 Rick Barker 35.39
4 Gavin Kitts 35.99
5 Steve Martyn 36.04
6 Richard Snell 36.57
7 Chris Meaney 36.70
8 Ben Harrison 36.71
9 Matt Bennetts 36.97
10 Justin Metherell 37.28
11 James Snell 37.74
12 Bear Barker 38.17
13 Dan Nicholls 39.23
14 Ross Blatchford 41.49

 

 

THE HEATS
It was Rick who dominated the heats winning all three races quite easily to reach the final. N. Mansfield also did a good job at the front and made the most of his pole position. Darren was ultra consistent in his kart and kept improving race by race, as did James Snell, who overcame a terrible qualifying position to make the final.

Steve Martyn was unfortunate to be involved in a couple of bumps during races and he had to work hard to earn his place in the final but he was very quick nonetheless. Gavin Kitts drove well to sneak into the final 6, just ahead of Mr Gobby [ Rich Snell ] who can maybe blame a tyre blow out in heat 1 for costing him crucial championship points.

Justin Metherell will feel unlucky as an incident involving him and the Snell brothers forced him to retire in the 3rd heat with a torn hand muscle, when looking good to reach the final 6.

FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP POSITION DRIVER FINAL POINTS TOTAL [ Top 6 into final ]
1 Rick Barker 42
2 Darren Waite 35
3 Steve Martyn 31
4 James Snell 29
5 Nathan Mansfield 26
6 Gavin Kitts 25
7 Richard Snell 21
8 Matt Bennetts 19
9 Chris Meaney 18
10 Ben Harrison 17
11 Justin Metherell 17
12 Bear Barker 14
13 Dan Nicholls 8
14 Ross Blatchford 5

 

 

 

FASTEST LAPS
With an open track in front of him, Rick was by far the fastest driver on the track and set a lap time over 2 seconds faster than his nearest rival Steve. Darren, who ended up winning overall showed that good consistent lap times won the day as he had only the 4th quickest lap. All the drivers went faster than their best qualifying lap.
RANK DRIVER FASTEST LAP TIME
1 Rick Barker 31.68
2 Steve Martyn 33.78
3 James Snell 34.07
4 Darren Waite 34.15
5 Nathan Mansfield 34.23
6 Gavin Kitts 34.26
7 Ben Harrison 34.88
8 Justin Metherell 35.22
9 Richard Snell 35.22
10 Bear Barker 35.42
11 Chris Meaney 35.74
12 Matt Bennetts 35.93
13 Dan Nicholls 36.02
14 Ross Blatchford 36.41

 

THE FINAL
Darren jumped ahead of pole sitter Rick at the start and made things difficult up front as no-one could get past. Rick tried hard to find a way through but a mistake on lap 3 allowed Steve to pinch 2nd and it was a 3 horse race at the front. Rick and Steve touched going into the tight bend at the bottom of the straight and it was Steve who came off worst as his kart spun around and allowed all drivers to overtake him.

Meanwhile Darren opened up a 2 to 3 second lead but Rick went after him and within a lap was sitting on the exhaust fumes of the leader. James Snell was in 3rd just ahead of a charging Nathan Mansfield. For the next 5 laps Rick weaved all over the back of Darren but despite being alongside each other down the straight and on several corners, Darren proved to be a huge road block that was difficult to overtake and he took the chequered flag to win by less than half a second.

After the race, Rick was disqualified for the incident with Steve on lap 3 and Steve was awarded 2nd place ahead of everyone else despite coming 6th in the final. Both decisions are very debatable. However, it was Darren Waite that tasted the bubbly champagne to record a famous victory around the Menheniot track so well done sunshine !!!

FINAL POSITION DRIVER POST RACE COMMENT
1 Darren Waite Fast all day, great tactical drive in final to earn superb victory
2 Steve Martyn Unlucky to take a few knocks during the races and deserved his trophy
3 James Snell Took well to the track, kept out of the main trouble and got a great top three slot !
4 Nathan Mansfield Fastest in qualifying, 2nd in 2/3 heats, did excellent job to reach the final
5 Gavin Kitts His experience showed as he made it to the final 6 with some impressive races in the heats
6 Rick Barker Won all 3 heats, came 2nd in the final before disqualified for hitting another driver, unlucky
7 Richard Snell Would have made the final had it not been for a tyre blow out in heat 1 that cost him vital points !
8 Matt Bennetts Not as fast as he would have liked but had some great battles with Meaney in the midfield
9 Chris Meaney Not as fast as two years ago and got bogged down in the pack, he will be disappointed
10 Ben Harrison Struggled early doors but an excellent 4th in the final heat was too little too late sadly
11 Justin Metherell Didn't live up to his hype and ended up with a broken thumb trying to dodge spinning drivers!
12 Bear Barker Massive crash in qualifying, slow in first two heats,6th in heat 3 was superb but it was to late by then
13 Dan Nicholls Couldn't get to grips with the corners and braking etc...will be back again
14 Ross Blatchford Struggled on his karting debut but no doubt had a bloody good time

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