Sunday started with a cracking morening, not too warm and not freezing either, travelling from Wakefield the 90 mile trip wasn't exactly something to look forwards to, but the later start for the lightweight class and the decent driving conditions made for a pleasent start to the day. The sights were varied en route from a smashed up motor on the M1 to a few friendly faces in other cars/vans along the way and with coffee on the go too, we were all there before you could say "but he rammed me"...
For those who follow the championship on Facebook, we already knew (to many drivers' delight I am sure) that we'd be using the international circuit, the longest track configuration at Teeside and one that provides a huge range of lines and overtaking spots.
Registration
With everyone paying online before the round, registration was a breeze and there was plenty of time to catch up with some of the locals from Leeds with about a dozen making the trip up the A1, racing lines and braking points were a common talking point and with the temperature slowly climbing the track was going to get quicker as the morning went on.
Heavywieghts
The heavyweights were out on track first with quali and their 2 races being run back to back. With qualifying being fairly uneventful we waited for the grid to form and with 2 Leeds drivers showing up in the first few grid slots Josh Greaves and Liam Silkstone were looking good for a great race, the first lap however would set the tone for Joshs' race though.
The flag dropped and the 35 strong grid headed off through the first chicane with little action before heading out of view. When they came back into view Josh, having taken the lead into turn 1 had fallen back at least half a dozen spots and following a spin into the hairpin after the esses, was really up against it in 19th position finishing 15th and having pole for race 2.
Liam on the other hand had gained a spot and would sit in 3rd for most of race 1 before dropping back to 6th just before the finish following a close battle that had raged behind him for most of the race.
Rcae 2 saw a great start from Josh who held 1st for a couple of laps before being passed by Mark White and Cameron Mclean who would go on to win the race. It's also worth mentioning Craig Brock, who after starting 11th in race 2 climbed the field to finish on the 3rd step of the podium.
Lightwieghts
Following the HWs it was time for the lightweights to head out on track, drawing lots for your kart seemed like a fair way to play it, no-one can pick their favourite and with the first 5 minutes of qualifying available to change your kart if you felt it had a problem most of us got on okay.
It had been a few months since I had raced the international circuit and had only used it once so to say it was new to me was an understatement, practice was going well however as the third or fourth driver out on track, I didn't have the luxury of following other drivers to spot their lines, with hindsight, I probably should have held back.
In the end I started 11th, though I was really surprised not to see Owen Burton in front of me on the grid, later I found out that he'd had engine trouble, with one of his engines continuously cutting out, a real shame as I was expecting a close fight with him; hopefully at round 2 we'll have a closer battle. I had a slow start, losing a place to Shaun Sellers who gained a few places off the start, though trouble out of the first big corner saw someone spin and everyone make for the gaps; by the end of lap 2 I had recovered 11th and settled into catching those in front.
Looking back at the the lap charts it was an eventful race for some, after making it up to P7, I dropped back to P8 and it was a queit race from there, giving me chance to watch other drivers' lines, something which helped in race 2 as I set a new PB fastest lap.
That said, race 2 certainly proved to have lots of action, the start was horrendous, after remaining in the same kart on the reverse grid the faster drivers behind gave no quarter into the first chicane off the start and I was lucky not the be punted off after being nudged into a big oversteer. Coming round into lap 2 the driver infront of me was given a driver standards warning so I can only presume that was related, but I can't be sure, either way after dropping to 14th at the start I made 9th at the finish and was top of the Rookie Cup Championship.
In front of me, the race for 2nd to 8th places was really hotting up with places changing hands regularly, from what I could see on track it looked like a close battle though I never really managed to get close enough to be involved. Other battles continued to be fought throughout the field and Owen eventually retired with kart trouble after leading quite a lonely race.
All the lap charts and race data can be seen online at Alpha Timing, credit to Chris Perks Images for the event photography and Championship info is available here all in all it was a great event, despite a rough ride at times, I'll be back for round 2 to defend my place at the top on the Rookie Cup standings.
SG Petch Sprint Championship Round 1 Videos
Lightweights
Heavyweights
