On Sunday 10 June at least 26 teams from across the country will be racing in the second 2012 Elite Karting League event at Ellough Park, the 1.065km outdoor track in Suffolk. The series is a completely new concept in the UK and is bringing together a wide variety of talented karters who are bidding to become the national team champions.The first event last month at Bayford Meadows in Kent was a great success, with over 100 karters taking part, proving that affordable karting doesn’t mean compromising on competitiveness. Each event entry costs a driver less than £100 and teams stand to collect prize money of up to £1000 per event.At round one, Hereford Heroes scooped the Race of Champions cash prize, taking home £625, but it was Teamsport Tornadoes from Sussex who lead the overall team standings. Close behind is Bournemouth’s Matchams Machines with Birmingham Wheels Bullets and Pontefract Pirates in third and fourth respectively. Hereford Heroes lie fifth with Cambridge Cobras rounding out the top six.In the driver standings, Bradley Philpot (Hereford Heroes, 26, Milton Keynes) leads with 480 points ahead of Lee Hackett from Birmingham Wheels Bulldozers (20, Leominster) on 465.The track action on Sunday 10th will include 12 sprint races, a 12 lap Race of Champions and two one-hour endurance races. The teams are racing in identical karts with Biz Kart Evo chassis and equalised twin GX160 Honda engines with drivers being weight equalised to ensure fair competition.

Bayford Meadows was the first of six events being held throughout the season which culminates on 11 November at Teesside Karting, Middlesbrough. It’s not too late to take part- aspiring karting stars wanting to know more can visit Facebook.com/thekartingleague.

Kat Pope, Elite Karting League Coordinator:“The first event went really well. The drivers were all very pleased with the amount of track time and we managed to squeeze a lot of racing in for every team member. Each team has a variety of grid start positions, so everyone has to race from towards the back at some point, so to be the best the teams have to make the most of every race. The Race of Champions brings a big buzz with the cash prize and then the endurance races are a great contrast with team-work and consistency paying off. We’re getting more enquiries from teams wanting to join us so we will hopefully be seeing the grid growing as the season progresses.”