Back to back victories in the Renault-backed B4 Group/MSA British Karting Championship finals catapulted Will Stevens (Essex) into the lead of the highly competitive Formula JICA title fight.
Starting from fifth on the grid in the first final at Larkhall, South Lanarkshire, Stevens leapt up to second place on the first lap, before passing pole-sitter Nigel Moore (Tockwith, N Yorks) on lap two. While Stevens built up a comfortable lead by the end of the race, behind him the competition for podium places was exceptionally close.
A seven-way battle for second place developed at one stage, eventually won by Ollie Millroy (Claygate, Surrey). Probably the biggest beneficiary of the scrap, however, was Oliver Rowland (Penistone, S Yorks) who started tenth on the grid and mounted another impressive charge to end the race in third place, close behind Millroy. This, coupled with a second position finish in the second final, put Rowland into third place in the JICA championship table.
While there was less trading of places at the sharp end of the field in the second final, the race had an exciting conclusion as the leading trio closed right up in the final laps. With some defensive driving Stevens preserved the lead he had held since the start of the race, despite mounting pressure from Rowland. On the final lap Scott Jenkins (Bristol) joined the fray, the top trio crossing the finish line covered by 0.26 seconds.
Jenkins’ third place, and a sixth place finish in the earlier final placed him second in the championship leaving Larkhall.
A disappointing weekend left the previous championship leader, Lee Bell (High Wycombe) relegated to fifth in the standings. He retired at the start of the first final, and from last position on the grid for final two, climbed to 16th place by the end of the race to earn some consolation points.
Formula JICA action continues when the Renault-backed B4 Group/MSA British Karting Championship goes to Rowrah in Cumbria, on 30th/31st July.
ICA Provisional Driver Standings:
1st Will Stevens 370pts; 2nd Scott Jenkins 343pts; 3rd Oliver Rowland 342pts;
4th Ollie Millroy 334pts; 5th Lee Bell 332pts; 6th Ben Cooper 322pts.
For the latest British Championship Karting news visit the official Renault Sport UK website www.renaultsport.co.uk
