Bumper Strawberry Harvest at Whilton Mill...

Paul Spencer's Strawberry Racing had three drivers on the podium in three classes 

"I'm so happy. I feel like I've won the European Finals!" beamed a delighted Paul Spencer after watching three of his drivers stand on the podium at yesterday's (5 July) fourth round of the British Super 1 series at Whilton Mill, take superbly judged podiums.

"I said before the weekend that I thought we'd win in KF1 and KF2, and Ben and Chris did just that," he added.

Silva takes bronze

Guilherme Silva took a brace of third places in KF3 after delivering another hugely positive performance in his first season of British and European competition. The talented Brazilian teenager had never seen Whilton before the weekend commenced but quickly got to grips with the Northamptonshire circuit's twists, turns and notorious bumps.

In Timed Qualifying he was third overall in a large field and took third and fourth-placed finished in his two heats.

In each of the two finals, he showed his ability to take the chequered flag in third place and put himself eighth overall in the championship table. Just 18 points off the lead and despite dropping one round (when he didn't compete). 

Paul commented, "Guilherme is a super little driver. He's able to go to circuits he's never visited before and almost instantly be on the pace. He's also adapted to the English style of racing very well and he's now regularly beating far more experienced drivers. That's a mark of his class."

Mid-season form could be key to Lock's title challenge

Chris Lock is beginning to show the right blend of pace and power as the season now moves into its crucial stage.

The Suffolk driver was fourth quickest in a tight Qualifying session and further showed his intentions when he recorded a third place in the first heat before going one better in the next, to cross the line in second.

A fantastic scrap in the first final saw Chris in a gaggle of Tony Kart drivers and his eventual fourth place finish gave him a sufficient haul of points to maintain his pressure on the championship leaders.

Through a controversial encounter, Chris emerged victorious in the second final. He won comfortably and in doing so, broke his domestic KF2 'duck'. Now sixth in the title chase, Chris is coming into form when it most matters.

"I'm really happy for Chris, " Spencer said. "He's worked very hard for this victory. We've had some bad luck but he's never complained, just quietly stuck to the job in hand and this is his just reward. I think he'll make the run-in for the title very close now."

In comparison, the team's Bulgarian star Todor Batkov endured a tougher weekend. Having not raced in the UK for some time, Todor faced a strong challenge amongst a large field, many of whom knew the circuit extremely well.

In each of the typically frenetic thrashes, he battled hard and was rewarded with two top twenty finishes in the finals. He learned much and will surely use that experience to good effect in the coming races.

Cooper barrels along to extend championship lead

Strawberry's sole contender in the premier category - KF1 - is certainly doing his team proud. After clocking the second-fastest time in Qualifying, Ben suffered two engine seizures in the heats. Needing to show prfessionalism and character to fight back in the finals, he delivered in spades.

Starting second from last in the first final, he carved his way up the order to take the runner-up spot - setting the new lap record (43.98) in the process.

A combination of supreme driving and good fortune saw him take charge of the main final - when the early leader succumbed to engine failure - and make the race his own. Ben swept to a dominant victory, over four seconds clear of his nearest pursuer.

In his typically understated style, Ben said afterwards, "It was a good weekend. We had some new developments with the motor and as a result, I was quick throughout. The kart was faultless but the first seize was entirely my fault. But Philippe (from engine tuners, Marechal) worked his heart and soul out and I'm pleased that all his efforts and those of my dad, Paul (Spencer) and Dodge (Dave Gregory) were repaid by my win."

Looking forward to the remainder of the season, Ben is focused on maintaining his current form. "Podiums, they're what I need to keep taking. If I do that, then the title might just sort itself out. The work of the team has given me a big chance of winning though but let's just take it one race at a time though."