With its blend of fast straights and corners that offer a wealth of overtaking opportunities this weekend’s (9/10 July) Easykart double-header at Whilton Mill promises to be a real pot-boiler.
CadetSam Faulkner’s metronomic consistency for finishing either 1st or 2nd in the opening three rounds sees him top the points table as the series hits the halfway mark this weekend. That said, in the past two races he has been beaten to the top step by Matthew Round-Garrido and Jordan Sanders. On paper, they should be Sam’s closest challengers but don’t rule out Max Fitton and Matthew Taylor. Both have been amongst the silverware and will be in the hunt at the Northamptonshire circuit.
Keep an eye out for Jenson Murchison. The Essex youngster opened his account with a fine 2nd place in the opening round at Ellough but was in the wars at Clay Pigeon last month. He could well cause trouble at the Mill for his rivals.
Of the rookies, Callum Croxon has been something of a revelation. He currently sits 8th overall and Whilton Mill is his local track. If he uses this to his advantage in qualifying he could well test his more experienced peers and claim his maiden podium finish.
JuniorWith Toby Sowery, James Lay and Ronan McKenzie all tied on 381 points, you could be forgiven for thinking that the battle for supremacy will be solely about these three talented and exciting drivers. Not so argues Championship Promoter John Vigor: “We’ve had really great racing from the Juniors this year but I don’t think the story of the weekend will be about these three guys. Will Stowell is due a massive chunk of luck. He was very fast in practice at Clay but it all went wrong for him on race day. He’s always quick at Whilton and this could be the stage for a change in his fortunes.”
Stowell’s fellow Cadet graduates Zack Nickson and Tom Thickpenny have also impressed and claimed 4th-place finishes. If they can maximise their set-ups for timed qualifying, look after their tyres in the heat and run at the front, then they too have a good chance of knocking Sowery, Lay and McKenzie from their lofty perch.
LightIt is a clear indication of just how close and dramatic the Light category is when double-winner Joe Paterson is not leading the title race. The Essex ace lies in 4th spot, 14 points behind former Champion Terry Langley.
Langley had something of a disaster at Clay Pigeon but his stunning recovery drive through the field kept his title ambitions very much alive. Vigor believes he will use all his guile and experience to keep his challengers at bay. He’ll need to. Elliot Rice has demonstrated superior pace on a number of occasions and is always strong at the Mill.
Richard Moxom has quietly built a case for being considered a potential Champion with solid if unspectacular performances in the opening races. On each occasion his finishes have improved and on this evidence, he should be expecting a 1st and 2nd on both days. Those of a ‘sporting’ disposition might well fancy a wager on Ayrton Hirst. He was in superb form in Dorset and will be focused on breaking into the winner’s circle this time round.
Heavy“Barnaby (Pittingale) loves killing his tyres!” chuckles Vigor after observing that tyre preservation is essential on the abrasive Whilton tarmac. If the Londoner does indeed come unstuck with rubber issues, a number of drivers will be ready to pounce. Will Smith and Michael Roots can reasonably expect to be at the front of that queue. Smith suffered a DNF at the previous round while Roots claimed his third consecutive podium.
Tim Hill and Mark Lawrence’s chances of being crowned Champion are almost certainly over but with the lure of qualification for October’s World Finals still within their grasp, they will factor strongly.
Of course all the aforementioned competitors should be concerned about the return of Nick Moss. The KKC shop boss knows every lump and bump of the track better than anyone – his business is based at Whilton – and last year stunned the regulars. He’s back for more and with two bites of the cherry awaiting him on Saturday and Sunday, he could well be the dark horse to back. If he wins it really would be a fairytale come true.
The action starts from 10:00am on Saturday at Whilton Mill, Whilton Locks, near Daventry. For more information, visit easykart.co.uk
