Defending British GP 250 Mono Class Champion Jordan Ford failed to defend this years title after a rare mistake took him out of a four way dice for the lead at half race distance.
Ford started Sunday’s second British Championship race from pole courtesy of his record breaking lap in Saturday’s first race. In wet conditions, far removed from the previous days balmy 26 degrees, Ford streeted the field in the opening laps to create a healthy buffer before sensationally spinning through the McLeans, bringing him back to the pack. On a drying track he again set quick laps and eventually took a 14 second victory to claim the round win.
With fastest lap times determining the grid positions for the GP, Ford would start from pole as rain swept the track. At the green light Ford was swamped by the pack but would regain places and lead lap 2. A pack of four drivers at the front set a frenetic pace, with 5 time British Champion Paul Platt and current British Championship Leader Gareth James at the front. As the track dried Ford set the quickest lap and dove under James at the Old Hairpin, causing contact that sent both drivers onto the grass and into retirement.
Platt went on to win the GP from fellow Brit Andrew Gulliford.
Fellow Australian Tyler Williams debut at the circuit was also off to a good start. After finishing 11th in Saturday’s race he would start 10th in Sunday’s second race but retired with tyre & engine issues. Drama ensued before the GP as his Parker Motorsport team hastily did a seven minute piston change after the engine was found to have no compression. Tyler would start from tenth and a good opening lap saw him right in a pack battle for the 6-10th placings. Unfortunately the young Victorian spun off the circuit and into retirement in the tricky conditions.
In the 125 National class, 16 year old Nicholas Schembri continued to impress onlookers. After his 2nd placed qualifying result, electrical issues slowed his potential in the heats. The Williams Racing crew replaced all the wiring loom and ignition before the GP.
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With a semi dry track facing the starters for the GP, Schembri got a brilliant start moving from eighth on the grid to fourth on the first lap before settling into third behind defending champ Britain’s Liam Morley. Over the next few laps the duo work in tandem to draft back up to the leader Chris Needham who had earlier enjoyed a three second lead. On the penultimate lap Schembri drafted past Morley before going under Needham into Redgate to start the last lap. Morley then made it three wide and came out leading the race. With the two locked together for the entire lap, Schembri came out of the last corner and made a lunge for the win coming an agonising .051 secs short at the line.
Morley took the win to claim his 9th GP Victory.
A big thanks to Anderson CSK, especially Russell Anderson and Matt Morrell for preparing the karts and DEA engines in the UK for the team, whilst also helping with logistics at the track.
The team would like to thank all the tremendous Australian companies for there support to make this event happen: Ring-a-Bin, Dunlop Kartsport/DK17, Calder Landscaping, ARS, Cute N Cuddly Pony Hire, Slipstream Signs, FRR Cinel, Penrite, Lionsden Boxing Academy & Sunbury Screens & Blinds.
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