June 21st 2009 Race Report

Despite being moved the height of summer to mid-June, and clashing unavoidably with the F1’s British Grand Prix, the annual Welsh Kart Championships still attracted 100 entries, with drivers from all over the country being blessed by some dry, and occasionally sunny, weather.

Host club Llandow fielded all the regular classes, with a guest appearance from the Dadson masters, and rewrote five lap records in the course of two days of racing, before the weekend’s winners were presented with the prestigious ‘C’ plates which they will be able to use all over the UK for the next twelve months.

In addition, good causes benefited from the action, with some £2500 raised by the competitors for Wales Air Ambulance.

A big Cadet Comer field produced a new lap record for Jordan Gilbertson (Bristol) in heat two, setting the tone for a duel between the Englishman and Thomas Harvey (Bonvilston) in the final. Despite Gilbertson holding sway for much of the event, however, Harvey made his move on the penultimate lap and held on to win by just eight-hundredths of a second. Owen Griffiths (Narbeth) took third.

Cadet Honda also saw its lap record lowered as the weekend proved to be the domain of Robbie Gallier (Lympsham), the circuit regular setting a new mark in qualifying before going on to win both heats and the pre-final. There was heartbreak in the final, however, when Gallier suffered a mechanical failure, leaving door open for Ross Chell (Narbeth),  Marcus Lewis (Bridgend) and Daniel Jones (Maesteg) to fill the podium.

The Junior Honda class produced a first Welsh title for Celtic champion Jamie Warren (Llanishen), who was chased hard throughout - as always - by Lloyd Sealy (Pencoed).

Not being familiar with Llandow did not seem to affect Junior TKM 2-Stroke pacesetter Lewis Jones (Wrexham), as the circuit debutant proved dominant until his chain flicked off in the closing stages of final. Dilip Singh (Llandaff) was best placed to capitalise, with Jade Paveley (Coventry) and Sam Morgan (Pencoed) crossing the line behind him.

Junior TKM 4-Stroke produced a three-way battle all weekend, with Andrew Davies (Pontypridd) taking on cousins Zach and Liam Jones (Ystrad Mynach). After all looking a good bet for honours, however, it was Liam who came out on top in the final, with Davies preventing a family 1-2.

A fantastic duel between 2008 runner-up Sam Marsh (Bovey Tracey) and defending champ Steven Handford (Llanelli) characterised the MiniMax class, with Marsh equalling the track record as he avenged last season’s defeat by three-tenths of a second in the final. Daniel Sweeney (Stockport) completed the podium behind Handford.

A big entry in the Junior Max class could not deny Marsh the honour of becoming the first driver in recent memory to lift two Welsh titles on the same day. A dominant display from the regular Llandow visitor denied anyone else a look-in, leaving Callum Drew (Uley) to take a battling second place from Dominic Gorrett (Crediton). The class lap record was also reset, but new fastest man, Craig Mooney (Verwood), could not repeat his qualifying form and only finished fifth in the final.

Senior Honda may not have been able to produce the size of class seen in recent years, but produced a typical race-long duel, this time involving Ashley Pearce (Rhoose) and double defending champ Gareth Lewis (Sebastepol). There was to be no hat-trick for Lewis on this occasions as Pearce edged the result by half a second, reprising the result form each heat, with Simon Evans (Haverfordwest) completing the final podium.

Two dozen entries and some spectacular action marked the biggest Senior Rotax final in recent Welsh Championship history. Dan Rodde (Pontarddulais) was the man to beat all weekend, claiming both heats and the Pre-Final before getting the jump at the start of the main event and breaking the lap record on his way to victory. Dan Jones (Cowbridge) and Sam Taylor (Caerphilly) claimed second and third after a frantic battle.

The visiting Dadson Masters provided plenty of thrills and thrills, with former British karting and British rally champion John Weatherley (Hythe) grabbing victory from Ken Churchill (Windlesham) and Melvin Francis (Carshalton).

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Written By Craig Llewellyn/Henry Beaudette

April 19th 2009 Race Report

The best weather and biggest entry of the 2009 season to date combined at Llandow in April, the former boosted by some welcome warm sunshine and the latter, at 77, by both the RAF and four visitors from Guernsey.

Ross Chell (Narbeth) appeared to be the favourite for Cadet Honda honours after taking all three heat wins but, as was the case in March, it was Robbie Gallier (Lympsham) who came through to win a close final, this time by just one tenth of a second. Niall Williams (Milford Haven) again had to accept third place.

Cadet Comer again produced some superb racing, although Tom Harvey (Bonvilston) edged all three heats from Owen Griffiths (Narbeth). Griffiths got his revenge in the final, however, passing Harvey on penultimate lap to win by a kart length and avenge the previous month’s narrow defeat. Ryan Anderton (Yeovil) claimed third after a frantic four-kart scrap to the line.

Junior TKM 2-Stroke produced both a good grid and a surprise, as Seb Hutchinson (Llandough) finally lost and unbeaten record that stretched back over ten races to the start of the year. Sam Morgan (Pencoed) was the man to beat Hutchinson, claiming heat three, but could only manage third in the final, behind the class favourite and Dilip Singh (Llandaff).

Junior TKM 4-Stroke, by contrast, provided a small grid, but some good racing, with a close final going the way of Andrew Davies (Pontypridd), who led home cousins Liam and Zach Jones (both Ystrad Mynach).

Junior Honda was likewise poorly supported, but produced another win for Jamie Warren (Llanishen), despite the best efforts of Lloyd Sealy (Pencoed)

MiniMax saw Macaulay Austin (Bryn Mawr) build on his maiden success in March to resist pressure from Dominic Gorrett (Crediton) and claim another win, while Ellis Belton (Haverfordwest) edged Jordan Gullick (Ebbw Vale) for third to repeat last month’s podium.

A dozen entries graced Junior Max, with Fraser O'Brien (Abergavenny) continuing a winning run that began with his move from 4-stroke racing. Llandow debutant Craig Mooney (Verwood) was not about to let O’Brien have it all his own way, however, stealing heat two before taking second spot in the final, ahead of Joshua Collings (Penclawdd) third.

Once the biggest class at Llandow, Senior Honda saw its dwindling numbers take a welcome upturn, but no-one could prevent former heavyweight Hugh Jones (Maesteg) taking a second successive overall win. Reigning class champion Gareth Lewis (Sebastepol) chased hard before having to settle for second, with Simon Evans (Haverfordwest) a distant third.

The visiting RAF Premier class added nearly a dozen ‘colourfully driven’ entries to the weekend field, with Chris Davies (RAF Benson) easing to victory over Oliver Buckley (RAF Marham). Civilian associate John Watson took third after a late charge, but there was a lucky escape for Cliff Blofield (RAF Benson), who clashed with Davies in heat one and found himself upside down on top of the tyre barrier and circuit perimeter fence. After dusting himself down, Blofield returned for heat three and the final.

Iwan Davies (Letterston) cut a lonely figure in Senior TKM 2-Stroke, but ran competitively with the RAF Premier class, taking several top ten finishes on the road.

The burgeoning Senior Max class boasted 15 entries - including father/son duo Nigel and Ashley Davies (Abergavenny), just two days after wife Amanda gave birth to baby daughter. It was Dan Jones (Cowbridge) who claimed the honours, however, leading the final from start to finish to come home ahead of Chris Davis (Cwmbran) and Matthew Dowers (Lisvane).

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Written By Craig Llewellyn/Henry Beaudette

March 15th 2009 Race Report

Round two of Llandow Kart Club’s tenth anniversary summer championship was blessed with glorious weather, and even a somewhat disappointing entry failed to affect the ‘buzz’ that surrounds both club and circuit in its special year.

Cadet Comer could not be faulted for the low numbers, posting a decent field and some good racing, as Tom Harvey (Bonvilston) and Owen Griffiths (Narbeth) shared the heat wins. Naturally, the final came down to a duel between the pair, with Harvey taking the honours after some robust final lap defence. Jed Hicks (Hereford) completed podium.

Cadet Honda boasted better numbers than at the February meeting and was given a thrilling finale as Robbie Gallier (Somerset) overhauled leader Ross Chell (Narbeth) in the manic closing laps. Niall Williams (Milford Haven) completed top three.

The Junior Honda class returned after missing the opening event of 2009, and defending champion Jamie Warren (Llanishen) picked up where he left off, starting title defence with a clean sweep of wins over Lloyd Sealy (Pencoed).

Sebastian Hutchinson (Llandough) maintained his unbeaten start to the Junior TKM 2-Stroke season with a narrow victory over the charging Dilip Singh (Llandaff). Sam Morgan (Pencoed) claimed the final podium spot.

Celtic champion Andrew Davies (Pontypridd) ensured that Junior TKM 4-Stroke held the attention by passing Liam Jones (Ystrad Mynach) in the closing stages of the final to take the win. Liam's cousin Zach (Ystrad Mynach) made it a family affair on the podium with third place.

MiniMax provided a first Llandow win since moving up from Cadets for the ultra-successful Macaulay Austin (Bryn Mawr), but the final was capped by the race-long battle for second between Dominic Gorrett (Devon) and Ellis Belton (Haverfordwest), which eventually went Gorrett’s way.

Only five drivers took up ‘£50 for the whole weekend’ offer in Junior Max, but that could not overshadow an impressive debut two-stroke win for Fraser O'Brien (Abergavenny). Josh Gray (Castle Martyn) and reigning Welsh champion John Pike (Ruthin) completed the podium.

Senior Honda may not have been able to field as many drivers as in recent seasons, but still produced the shock result of the day (maybe even the year or decade) as reigning heavyweight class champion Hugh Jones (Maesteg) shed a stone in weight, moved up to lightweight and won on debut after a terrific series of races. Simon Evans (Neyland) chased hard but to no avail, while defending champion Gareth Lewis (Sebastepol) recovered from another slow start to get to within two-tenths of the three-year old class lap record on his way to third.

Senior Max has clearly taken over Senior Honda’s mantle as ‘most popular class’ at Llandow, again providing the biggest grid of the day. Dan Jones (Cowbridge) recovered from a heat one DNF to win the final from Liam Revell (Swansea) and Dan Rodde (Pontarddulais)

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Written By Craig Llewellyn/Henry Beaudette

February 15th 2009 Race Report

The tenth anniversary season of racing at Llandow Kart Club got off to a solid start on the third weekend of February, with unusually good weather blessing those who ventured out for the opening round of the ‘summer’ championship.

A solid entry was bolstered by a dozen drivers who made the trip down from the midlands after their regular event at Shenington was snowed off, and all twelve were warmly welcomed as they helped to swell numbers.

Cadet Comer did not lack for entries, with 14 karts on track and some new faces making their debut. In the end, however, it was Tom Harvey (Bonvilston) who came out on top, completing a clean sweep after great day’s racing. Lando Norris (Bristol) edged brother Oliver in a dead heat for second.

Celtic champion Robbie Gallier (Lympsham) claimed Cadet Honda honours from from Ross Chell (Narbeth).

A good grid hinted at a resurgence for the Junior TKM 2-stroke class, but no-one could prevent a clean sweep for defending club champion Sebastian Hutchinson (Llandough). Zach Jones (Ystrad Mynach) held off Sam Morgan (Pencoed) for third after a good battle throughout the final.

A depleted Junior TKM 4-stroke class fell to Welsh champion Fraser O'Brien (Abergavenny), who overcame a DNF in heat three to win the final with ease. Isaac Price (Trelech) produced a best-ever result in second with Liam Jones (Ystrad Mynach) third.

Junior Rotax produced a lights-to-flag win for JJ Wilson (Dinas Powys), while Ben Johnson (Blackwood) held off a determined Adam Berwick (Tetbury) for second after a day-long battle.

MiniMax produced another good grid, with club stalwarts Steven Handford (Cross Hands) and Macaulay Austin (Bryn Mawr) sharing the heat wins. However, when it came to the final, it was Handford who emerged on top, taking a lights-to-flag win with Austin second and Dominic Gorrett (Crediton) completing podium.

The normally popular Senior Honda class produced a low turnout for first time in many seasons, allowing defending champion Gareth Lewis (Sebastepol) to take a clean sweep of heats and final. Simon Evans (Neyland) took second, while junior graduate Ferdinand Ball (North Cornelly) took third on his senior debut.

Hugh Jones (Maesteg) made a last-minute decision to enter the meeting and, despite running in the Senior Honda Heavyweight class, again troubled the lightweights throughout the day.

Formula Rotax matched Comer Cadet as the numerically superior class, producing 14 entries and its now familiar fantastic racing. Liam Revell (Swansea), Barry Thomsit (Trowbridge) and Dan Jones (Cowbridge) shared the heat wins but, when the final opened with half a dozen karts spinning at turn one, Jones was allowed to escape to victory. It was all action behind the leader, however, with Ashley Davies (Abergavenny) emerging in second on his first senior outing, and gearbox ace Daydd Iles (Merthyr) coming home third.

Without enough similarly-mounted rivals to race against, Senior TKM 2-stroke runner David Paveley pitched up to have fun at the back of the Max field, although the club hopes that the class will return permanently – and warrant its own races - as the 2009 season progresses.

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Written By Craig Llewellyn/Henry Beaudette