Hot action at Border EP Champs
THE Border EP Regional Karting Championship completed round two of their championship last Saturday at the East London Grand Prix Circuit.
The wet weather made the circuit very slippery during the morning sessions, but it gradually dried out as the day progressed.
Karting is an all-weather sport and the rain did not dampen the karters’ racing spirit.
The Border Karting executive committee, also welcome Alec and Ryan Gudmanz based out in Queenstown to the club.
Bryn High joined in on the action from the Algoa Karting Club, Kyle Heideman travelled from Queenstown and the rest of the field were made up of East-London based, Border Karting drivers.
Buffalo City is establishing itself as the preferred motoring destination in the country, with the African Bike Week, Super GP series, National Porsche Club event, all arriving on our shores at the same time.
With all of this happening, karters had a two- month break in their racing calendar.
The Race Results for the day:
Cadets 50cc: 1st Jordan van der Merwe, 2nd Redd Scholtz, 3rd Heath Vallance.
Van der Merwe was a bit disappointed in giving up second place to Scholtz, but said he will claim it back in the next round.
Junior 60cc: 1st Sebastian Smith, 2nd Kaylim Padayachee, 3rd Jordan van der Merwe, 4th Redd Scholtz, 5th Daniel van Zummeren, 6th Jordan Dorning.
Smith made his presence felt and finished first in all three heats. Padayachee and van der Merwe are very consistent and are placing Smith under pressure for first place. Scholtz, van Zummeren and Jordan Dorning are swapping positions all the time and is quickly getting to the same pace as the leading trio.
Clubman’s Class A, B, C
Class A: 1ST Jared de Kock.
Class B: 1ST Ashton Nel. She made a welcome return to karting after a short break. Cherne and Melindre Marais, had school sport duties.
Class C: 1st .
Heideman said what he enjoyed most on the day was how the kart went sideways due to the wet conditions. Cuan Flusk promises to make a competitive comeback in round three, after race preparations did not go as planned.
Rotax DD2:
1st Geoff Stephen, 2nd Bryn High, 3rd Shaun Gradwell, 4th David Burberry, 5th Craig Borges, 6th Brent Strydon, 7th Jared De Kock, 8th Kevin Vosloo, 9th Blake Kruger, 10th Tristan Wantenaar.
Notably absent from the starting grid was Richard Clarke. All indications are that he will return to karting shortly.
Stephen, dominated all three heats and made some spectacular overtaking manoeuvres. He is slowly carving his name in the book of karting legends. Speaking to his dad afterwards, he said Geoff was just out of nappies when he sat behind the wheel of his first go-kart. All this time in the seat, definitely shows on the track and in the class of driver he is. High and Gradwell followed within split seconds behind Stephen, and the slightest mistake would have cost him dearly. Burberry got rid of the gremlins from round one and finished a respectable fourth and scooped the driver of the day award. Jared made his debut in this very competitive class with a very respectable finish.
Join them on June 10 for more karting action. – GARTH FLUSK
