This weekend (27-28 March) sees the opening round of the Easykart season kick off at Ellough Park Raceway, a cracking little gem of a circuit that has been refreshed, rejuvenated and redeveloped by the indefatigable Richard Lock and his team, and proudly hosts the first visit of a national championship of 2010.
On paper, this year promises to be one of the most open and competitive seasons yet. None of the current champions will defend their crowns, making way for a host of new hopefuls to rise up and make their mark.
Reigning Light champion Terry Langley is taking a sabbatical from racing, but will be a regular presence in the paddock as he turns his attentions to driver coaching.
The Heavy class’s number one hinted that he might abandon his crown when he finished third in last November’s E Plate meeting at Clay Pigeon, and indeed Kieran McCullough has confirmed his switch to the Light category.
Similarly, Junior champion Patrick Lay will come of age in both senses of the word when he makes his Light debut on Sunday.
After steamrollering the Cadet opposition, James DeHavillande will test himself against the Junior regulars and a welter of newcomers.
After its successful inauguration into the calendar last summer, the Cadet class has quickly established itself as an exciting alternative to other classes for 8 to 13-year olds. The championship organisers Club100 have received more than double the number of entries for the corresponding first round fixture last year. As its Managing Director, John Vigor says: “It’s going to be great. Ellough is a superb place to go racing and I’m delighted that Easykart will be the first national series to christen the new track extension. With every one of our 2009 champions moving on, we’re guaranteed to see new race-winners and champions emerge and that can only be good.”
In total over 120 drivers have entered and both senior classes will require B finals. John comments: “We’ve had a very healthy influx of new competitors come into Easykart and I’m really pleased to see that they’re all new to karting – not just guys transferring from other categories or championships. That means our package is really attractive to the sport’s newcomers. But that’s not to say we don’t listen to our existing customers. This year we’ve introduced a new format to the racing, based on what the drivers wanted.”
The new schedule will now see one timed qualifying session, with a (ten minute-plus one lap) heat replacing the old second session. Following the European model, the event will then consist of a repecharge and two finals, pre and main.
If you’re looking for a fast, friendly series where the emphasis is on driver ability rather than budget, then you’ll love Easykart.
Sunday’s meeting is a great way to meet the drivers and receive advice from them and get information from the UK Easykart importer, Andy Cox of ACR and series promoter, Club100’s John Vigor.
The action starts from 10:00am on Sunday at Ellough Park Raceway, near Beccles.
