UK Karting - Matchams Kart Club Results

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Matchams Kart Club

Matchams Kart Club - Club Championship
May Meeting - 25th May 2003 - Matchams Kart Circuit

For the second month in a row the morning started as a dry but overcast one for the second round of the Championship. But, as in April, the threatened rain held off for the whole day apart from a brief light shower during the second heat for the Rotax drivers.

The Cadets were the first to race, with David Mack 26 from Poole and James Raven 17 from Portsmouth continuing their battle from last time. James won all three heats to ensure pole position in the final. This was to be a race full of drama. First, novice driver Ben Mathers 99 from Alderholt lost his chain and retired from the race, then David and James came together at the back of the circuit whilst battling for the lead, and became entangled. This started a new race, as the two fathers sprinted across the infield to rescue their sons! But just before they reached them, they managed to restart all on their own, much to the amusement of all those watching! James then began to build a lead over David, until, two laps from the end, his chain also decided to depart company from his Honda. This left David to take the win, although James managed to rejoin for second, just ahead of the chequered flag.

100 Clubman also saw some fast and furious action, with Jason Millard 2 (Waterlooville), Rob White 4 (Tuckton), Stewart Morris 17 (Southampton), Darren Civil 26 (Waterlooville) and local Bournemouth driver Clive Jackson 99 having an exciting and close battle in every heat. Darren won the first two, despite complaining that his engine was not running very well! Rob won the third, despite some close attention from Clive, who had to settle for second place on the final grid this month, having had it all his own way last time with a hattrick of wins. Darren was on pole position, with Jason third and Rob back in fifth. This promised and delivered a great final, and although Darren's engine finally screamed enough and let go, he managed to bring it home in third. Rob followed home a flying Clive for the local win.

The Pro-Kart class was as close as ever, with a different heat winner each time as last month. Poole driver and reigning points champion Darren Aldwell 1 won the first, with father Chris 37 winning a deserved second after a race long battle with local driver Kevin Mathers 9 from Alderholt. He pretended to move over at the line and allow Kevin through, before flooring it for the chequered flag! Kevin was second in the last heat too, behind his son Christophe 7. This was enough to see him third on the final grid, behind Darren and Christophe. With Chris in fourth, this led to a four carriage express train lapping the circuit initially, a postage stamp width between their bumpers! Finally, Kevin and Chris managed to pass Christophe to finish in second and third respectively behind Darren. Mind you, it was almost a photo finish, as the top three drivers crossed the line virtually abreast of one another!

The 125 Rotax class saw the biggest grid of the day, with reigning points champion James Pardon 1 from Sherbourne winning the first two heats, albeit with only a little leeway. The top seven crossed the line at the end of the first heat in the blink of an eye! A delighted Portsmouth driver Ken Ford 20 won the last heat, despite having spent the morning push starting one of the Clubman competitors! The final line up saw James on pole, with Daniel Alford 33 from Brighton in second and last month's winner Alex Green 2 from Wimborne in third. This was how they were to finish, with some great driving on display, both defensive and aggressive!

After all the serious racing, we then had some more fun organised by the Clerk of the Course, Gary White. The drivers were split into three teams, then ran in their normal classes, their positions counting towards their team score. The grids were then reversed, to give everyone a chance. We saw some great driving with everyone trying hard for their teams, especially poor Daniel Lindsay 88 visiting from Crawley, who slid off and just nosed into the beech fence perimeter! The white team, led by Cadet driver Ben Mathers 99 (Alderholt) won the event, after he won both his heats! Rob White 4 (Tuckton) and Stewart Morris 17 (Southampton) were the Clubman representatives in this team, with Kevin Mathers 9 (Alderholt) from the Pro-Kart class. James Pardon 1 (Sherbourne) and Ken Ford 20 (Portsmouth) formed the Rotax part of the team.

This was the second meeting organised by the newly formed Matchams/drivers co-operative, and the atmosphere was serious but fun and helpful. Even during the Championship races, drivers were helping one another, before going on to the track and racing their boots off! The team race was popular and well supported, adding to the "clubby" feeling on the day. Clive Jackson 99 even lent a kart to rival Darren Civil 26 for this event, after Darren's kart had expired in the final. Darren repaid the favour by beating Clive in the first heat! The only part of Clive's response to this that I can print here is that it was rather strange to be beaten by his own kart! We hope to do something similar again next month. If you are interested in joining us, contact the Club Secretary, Chris Aldwell on 07952 192191 or chrisandmags@ntlworld.com or see our website at www.ringwoodraceway.com. We race on the last Sunday of each month, and look forward to welcoming new members and MSA licence holders. We would especially like to see a grid for Juniors.

Results

Cadet: 1 David Mack (Zip/Honda), 2 James Raven (Solo/Honda), 3 Ben Mathers (Zip/Honda).
100 Clubman: 1 Clive Jackson (Fullerton/CRG), 2 Rob White (BRM/Rotax), 3 Darren Civil (DAP/Vortex).
Pro-Kart: 1 Darren Aldwell (Stratos/Honda), 2 Kevin Mathers (Zip/Honda), 3 Chris Aldwell (Zip/Honda).
Rotax Max: 1 James Pardon (Tony Kart), 2 Daniel Alford (Gillard), 3 Alex Green (Solo).

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