CRUTTENDEN TAKES SERIES LEAD AFTER DRAMATIC FINAL
Danny Cruttenden (Wilmington, Dartford) leads the Renault-backed Super One Formula A karting Championship after two podium finishes in rounds seven and eight at Shenington circuit on Sunday, 8th July.
Lee Bell (High Wycombe) and Jonathan Walker (Blackburn) took one win each in the heats, with Chris Rogers (Waltham Cross) claiming a front row start alongside pole-sitter Walker.
Rogers took an early lead in Final 1 only for Walker to pass him on lap two. Meanwhile, reigning champion Mark Litchfield (Ripley) climbed from 12th on the grid to lie seventh, while Cruttenden made his way through from 18th.
By the midway point, Litchfield took third place and was in a lead group with Rogers and Walker, while Cruttenden led the chasing pack in fourth place. Litchfield and Walker traded overtaking moves at the hairpin in the battle for third place before Cruttenden passed Walker for the final podium spot.
In the closing stages, Litchfield took the lead at the hairpin only for Rogers to force his way back past at Bruno chicane, which is not usually a recognised overtaking opportunity, and took the victory.
Final 2 saw Litchfield jump into an early lead before his engine seized at the last corner on lap three. Rogers inherited the lead but only for a handful of laps as he suffered the same fate as Litchfield at the same place.
Remarkably, the race’s third leader, Jonathan Walker, also saw his engine seize at the same corner as first place became something of a poisoned chalice.
The retirements left Richard Bradley (London) clear to take his first win of the season ahead of Cruttenden and Lee Bell. Scott Jenkins (Bristol) claimed fourth place after a superb drive from 17th on the grid.
Cruttenden now leads the standings by 10 points from Litchfield with four rounds left.
The Junior MSA British Kart Championship continues at five venues around the UK, with the next round at Warden Law circuit near Sunderland, on 25th/26th August.
Renault Formula A provisional championship standings:
1st – Danny Cruttenden, 323pts; 2nd – Mark Litchfield, 313pts; 3rd – Jonathan Walker, 300pts; 4th – Chris Rogers, 296pts; 5th – Lee Bell, 290pts; 6th – Richard Bradley, 288pts.
