BLACKBUSHE – Saturday 25 January 2003

A new year, a new season, a new challenge. Wets were the order of the day initially – by lunchtime the sun had dried the track to give the slick shod runners the edge. For the finals Blackbushe was bathed in beautiful sunshine, great weather to watch some great racing.

Heats

Cadet. In the Cadet class Jordan Adams hit the ground running, winning the first heat. In heat 2 he made his way to the front where Matthew Palmer refused to relinquish his lead. In heat 3 Jordan led again, however with two laps to go Matthew found the space to take his second heat win, Jordan finishing in second place ahead of Matthew Hibberd.

Juniors In the Junior class Daniel Denis was on a mission, winning the first two heats ahead of M. Clarke. However, the third heat saw a complete change of form and Katherine Impey took an emphatic win ahead of Jack Goff.

Senior TKM. Spencer Jackson took a decisive win in the first heat, struggled in heat 2 and then returned to form to win the third heat. Luke Embling who had followed Spencer home in the first heat won heat 2. Chris Boardman was also never far behind with one second place and two thirds.

Rotax Max. Dale Brown, still the man to beat, winning the first two heats. However, Aaron Sevitt in his first race meeting took the third heat victory. An impressive start. It was also good to see Paul Mealyer back at the Bushe; taking two second place finishes in the heats.

125 Gearbox. No.71 Mark Melenoir was on fire, winning all the heats with apparent consummate ease. Sonia Hyland took second in the first two heats before going AWOL in the third. Simon Bazeley was also one to watch out for.

250 Gearbox. Colin Buxton was more than happy with his new Honda power, taking the first two heats in front of Chris Cope. Chris was not about to give Colin all the glory, taking the third heat win relegating Colin to second.


The finals (20 laps – enough to make your arms ache!!)

Cadets
Matthew Palmer led from the start with Jordan Adams in pursuit. However, laps 5, 6, 7 saw Jordan’s challenge fade as he slipped down the field to sixth place. Two new numbers were showing good pace, 26 and 95 Steven Wands and Patrick Fletcher (Honda and WTP); together with Matthew Hibberd these four were making the running. Steven took second place on lap 6 but on lap 10 Patrick found the pace to slip by. For three laps Patrick held on then disaster he went wide at Top Pit Bend and both Steven and Matthew H slipped through. For 17 laps Matthew P had held onto his lead – then disaster the Wands/Hibberd/Fletcher train broke through. A truly great race to start the finals. Result: 1st. 26 Steven Wands (Honda); 2nd 71 Matthew Hibberd (Comer); 3rd 95 Patrick Fletcher (WTP).

Juniors
Katharine Impey and Michael Hall made up the first row but even as the lights flashed green it was Katharine out in front. Michael, however, was just waiting for half a chance. On lap 10 Jack Goff headed into the chicane backwards. Once he regained his directional bearing he was back in the race just ahead of the leaders. On lap 11 Katharine went wide exiting Bennetts giving Michael his chance, which he took with glee. It was now up to Katherine to find her moment. Initially Michael seemed to pull away then Katharine upped the pace and with three laps to go it was Michael’s turn to slide wide exiting Bennetts and Katharine returned the favour, regaining the lead. Michael kept control of his kart on the dirt, however the tyres by now were full of mud and at Wish Bend he spun out of the race. Result: 1st 23 Katharine Impey (Jnr Rotax) 2nd 72 Daniel Denis (Mini Max) 3rd 52 Jack Meeking ( Jnr Rotax).

Senior TKM
Luke Embling and Spencer Jackson filled the front row. However, it was Chris Boardman who led the field round on lap 1, and despite pulling an initial lead of some 10 kart lengths over Spencer Jackson, soon felt Jackson all over him like a rash. On lap 11 it was all going to end in tears for Chris as he too ended his race in the tyres. In the confusion the No.1 plate of Ryan Godding found himself out front. With three laps to go Spencer’s second place slipped away as Luke eased past. Tragedy struck for Ryan – with two laps to go his exhaust disassembled earning him a mechanical failure flag and denying Ryan a well-deserved victory. Still I don’t suppose Luke minded too much! Result: 1st 60 Luke Embling; 2nd 74 Spencer Jackson; 3rd 0 David Gardner.

Rotax Max
Once again Dale Brown showed a clean pair of heals to the rest of the grid. Our novice runner Aaron Sevitt‘s front row qualification came to nought. Squeezed off the tarmac at Bennetts his chain jumped ship (or sprocket). Despite Aaron’s best efforts his race was run (still there’s always next month). Paul Mealyer held second until lap 6 when Matthew Ketcher found room to pass but with four laps to go the red flags were out when Paul lost control exiting Bennetts. He was shaken but not stirred; the medics gave him the all clear and his kart was undamaged so hopefully he’ll give it a go next month. Results: 1st 25 Dale Brown: 2nd 78 Matthew Ketcher; 3rd 22 Paul Mealyer.

125 Gearbox
Mark Malenoir dominant all day stalled it on the grid (plonker). He did manage to fire the thing up but was now a lap down. Simon Bazeley was out in front with Matt Scott desperately fending off the advances of Sonia Hyland. He failed and on lap 4 Sonia was past. Matt was not about to give up and for nearly two laps the pair circulated side by side, neither outfit prepared to budge. Eventually Matt had the edge, claiming second place for himself. Meanwhile Mr Malenoir had unlapped himself and was definitely putting the pedal to the metal, his 360° spin at Pit Bend indicating how hard he was pushing. Very impressive, with very little loss in time, definitely worth a 9.5!! Result: 1st 33 Simon Bazeley; 2nd 19 Matthew Scott; 3rd. 45 Sonia Hyland.

250 Gearbox
Colin Buxton on pole, Chris Cope in the middle and John Pfiffner (yes, John Pfiffner – I had to check as well!). Sadly having gained this front row position John’s start let him down. Chris hit the front with Colin in close pursuit and Michael Cope up to third. Disaster on lap 4 for Colin, his Honda power was too much for his drive chain and it parted company. Copes were now one and two although Michael was under siege from Hugh Simpson in his first season in a 250. Lap 8 saw more mechanical gremlins this time for Chris – an electrical contact had come loose. For 5 laps Michael held his line but on lap 13 he drifted to the centre of the start straight, Hugh saw his change and squeezed up the inside of the 52 outfit into the lead. Result: 1st 23 Hugh Simpson; 2nd 52 Michael Cope; 3rd 24 John Pfiffner.