As the Easykart UK series begins its final leg, this weekend’s (30/31 July) event at Glan Y Gors will see three young men anxious to get at least one hand firmly on their respective class’s trophy - knowing their rivals will be doing everything they can to prevent this.
Sam Faulkner, Toby Sowery and Barnaby Pittingale have been the pre-eminent drivers in Cadet, Junior and Heavy respectively, but face stern challenges on Easykart’s maiden visit to Wales’ “mini Nurburgring”. The Senior Light class remains very much open and looks set to go down to the wire. One driver could well break the deadlock, but who will it be?
CadetSam Faulkner’s 1st and 3rd at the Whilton Mill double-header three weeks ago saw him build on his impressive first half of the season and maintain his superiority in the points table. Sam’s podium consistency - his lowest score being 3rd in Northamptonshire – has edged him clear of Matthew Round-Garrido, but only just. Twelve points separate the pair and at Whilton Matthew mirrored Sam’s results (3rd and 1st). Jordan Sanders is keeping both honest and his 2nd and 4th place finishes ensured that he remains firmly in the hunt for overall honours. Breathing down their necks is Jenson Murchison. The Essex driver is beginning to find his form at the crucial time and could well break into the winner’s circle for the first time at GYG.
JuniorWith back-to-back victories in the last three races and as the reigning champion, Toby Sowery is the yardstick by which his rivals must measure themselves. That said, Ronan McKenzie is firmly refusing to let Toby waltz off into the history books. By his own standards, Ronan suffered a ‘blip’ at Whilton with a 4th but the impressive Easykart Driver Program member has more than rewarded Birel’s faith thus far and will surely continue to so in Conwy. James Lay was again there or thereabouts at the previous meeting and maintained his 3rd place overall, but dropped points on his rivals and will need to bounce back in style on Sunday if he is to keep the pressure on the leading duo. McKenzie’s fellow EDP driver, Will Stowell, has made the transition from the Cadet to the Junior ranks with aplomb, but has yet to win a trophy. That situation could change this weekend, but he must not only master Sowery, McKenzie and Lay, but also the much-improved AJ Morris and Wills Mayneord. Both claimed their first Easykart podium finishes at Whilton and nothing breeds confidence like success.
LightIt can only be a measure of Terry Langley’s quality that the former champion has yet to win a race in 2011, but still leads the championship. He has a seven-point margin over the rampant Joe Paterson and must be fearful that, unless he can claim victory at Glan Y Gors, the in-form Paterson will leapfrog him. Elliott Rice, 2nd in round five, salvaged vital points after his round four upset and as a result remains a big threat to the leaders. Richard Moxom was somewhat ‘in the wars’ in Northamptonshire but hung on to his 4th place overall. This stylish and quick driver deserves a podium and it would come as no surprise if achieves it on Sunday. Arguably the most exciting ‘find’ of the season has been Ayrton Hirst, who scored a popular breakthrough victory in round four. He added his second 3rd place of the season to his win on the following day at Whilton and would be a strong bet for more success in round six.HeavyCan anyone stop Barnaby Pittingale’s march to the title? The Londoner has won four of the five races so far and finished 2nd on the one occasion he failed to triumph. Michael Roots has emerged as his closest challenger to keep in touch – just – with Barnaby. The only man to beat Pittingale thus far has been Will Smith. However, the Suffolk ace crucially dropped a hatful of points at Clay Pigeon and faces an uphill struggle to reel in Pittingale. After ‘swapping codes’ from Rotax to Easykart, Jim Rainbird’s season has seen him solidly collect good points at each race to put him 4th in the table, ten clear of the resurgent Mark Lawrence. Lawrence, the current vice-Champion, endured an abysmal start to his campaign, but a 4th in Dorset and 3rd at Whilton Mill has moved him up the rankings. Domestically, the newly-crowned European Easykart Champion Gary Poynter has had a tough year, but his victory in Poland earlier in the month will surely be a boost for him and we could well see the Poynter of last season turn on the waft.
The event gets underway on Sunday 31 July from 10am at Glan Y Gors Park Karting Circuit, located on the A5 between Betws Y Coed and Corwen, near the village of Cerrigydrudion in North Wales. For more information, visit .easykart.co.uk
