Worcester Raptors take cash prize
The Elite Karting League teams travelled to Clay Pigeon, Dorset for round three of the series. The 815 metre outdoor track is between Dorchester and Yeovil and brought early competition to the area which is hosting the Olympic sailing events.
27 teams raced on the circuit used by Jenson Button in his early racing career in identical karts with Biz Kart Evo chassis and twin GX160 Honda engines. To make the competition even fairer, drivers are weight equalised to 85kg. The openness of the competition showed with 17 of the 27 teams taking podium finishes throughout the day.
In the 12 morning sprint races, title leaders Sussex based Teamsport Titans took seven top three finishes, including four wins but Birmingham Wheels Bullets were close behind with three wins and a runner-up finish. Leicester Alley Cats put in a very strong performance to take two wins and two second places with the remaining victories being claimed by Birmingham Wheels Bruisers, Coseley Cougars and Teesside Thunder.
The 15 lap 675 dash for cash was very closely fought between Luca Hirst for the Worcester Raptors and Jack ONeill for Teamsport Titans making the Raptors the third different to team claim the prize money from the three events.
The Titans fought back by taking pole, and going on to win the first one-hour endurance race of the day, but the second Enduro was a maiden win for the Teesside Tigers who had started the race in third place.
A second all-girl team made its EKL debut. The AKS Angels arrived to challenge the Teesside Angry Birds. Other new additions included Banzai, the Bridgwater Bandits, Stoke Potters Pro and Worthing Warriors.
Teamsport Titans continue to lead the League standings with Birmingham Wheels Bullets in second and Cambridge Cobras in third. Teesside Tigers have made an impressive leap into fourth place with sister team Teesside Thunder remaining in fifth. The top six is rounded off by Worcester Raptors who were previously eighth.
Jack ONeill, Teamsport Titans: Weve had a great day. I dont want to give all our race strategy away but the endurance race win was helped by a really good pit-stop where we think we gained about 20 seconds. We also think the team meal of Italian salami and our mascot Rolo [the Cavalier King Charles/Jack Russell/Basset cross dog] were big factors in our success.
Toby Stringer, Worcester Raptors: All the Worcester teams have done well. Winning the dash for cash was outstanding! The driving was really good and the racing has been a lot closer today.
Bob Pope, EKL Director: Were very pleased that the event went so well. After the first two events weve ironed out the little details that make things a lot better and the event went very smoothly. The driving standards have improved as well which helps make it more enjoyable for everyone on track. Its great to now have two all-girl teams. The Teesside Angry Birds had four top-ten finished to AKS Angels two but the Angels had a great qualifying for the Race of Champions getting fourth on the grid so theres plenty of competition to come from the women, as well as the men, in the events to come.
The Elite Karting League offers affordable competitive karting. Each event entry costs a driver less than 100 and teams stand to collect prize money of up to 1000 per event. Drivers are weight equalised to 85kg making the racing more competitive. The teams are racing in identical karts with Biz Kart Evo chassis and equalised twin GX160 Honda engines.
Its not too late to join EKL. Visit Facebook.com/thekartingleague.
The next round of EKL takes place at Llandow, South Wales on 23rd September
