AS the list of junior kart racers switching over to the Mini Stox category grows, it was another fresh face that hit the winners circle at Arena Essex on Sunday, 14 year old James Waite taking his newly acquired car to a resounding victory in heat one of the day.
Heat two was an action packed affair from the off with a big head on collision between Molly Smithson and Jack Leeks unfortunately resulting is a hospital trip for the latter. Thankfully Jack was released unharmed after checks. A three abreast moment at the restart saw Jack Goldsmith and Waite tangle with Waite bringing about another caution as he ended up broadside across the track. The next restart was a matter of a few laps old when Josh Mackey launched off a kerb into a high flying rollover that took a big gouge out of the Arena Essex tarmac. The final restart saw Harry Overy tip Joe Rollings into a spin which collected Lauren Overy, allowing Charlie Morphey to get clear and head Steph Sore to the flag.
In the final, a great battle for the lead between Waite and Joe Rollings was broken up when the star pairing of Charlie Morphey and Lauren Overy barged through and began duelling. Waite was then one of three cars that pounded into a marker tyre on the entry of the pit turn, Sore and Goldsmith the other two victims, the latter launching himself into a rollover. With just a lap left at that point the race was declared, much to the disappointment of Overy, who was just gearing up to pass Morphey.
Connor Reeve almost lead the first Lightning Rod heat from flag to flag. However, the smallest mistake out of the penultimate bend allowed Steve Norman to get up the inside and Connor’s attempt to then cut him off into the final bend saw him spin out of the race entirely. Thereafter Lee Hall took an accomplished heat and final. His race to success in the final was aided by a clash between Chris Reeve and Anthony Lawrence. With Hall in the distance, a frantic battle for second place between Steve Moore and Nigel Carroll ended with Carroll spinning on the last corner as he attempted to cut down on Moore.
There was a heat and final victory in the Stock Rods too with former Northern Irish Lightning Rod racer, Lee Best taking a borrowed car to success. Best’s domination was complete when his closest challenger, Paul Haralambou dropped out with mechanical difficulties. Gary Hicks was the winner of the other heat.
There were three winners from the three National Banger races, Mark Marchant, Karl Douglas and Billy Standing taking a healthy helping of points towards their World Championship qualifying total. After a day largely devoid of crashing from the National Banger boys, Marchant, Sonny Sherwood and Steve Collings did at least provide a good Destruction Derby to finish. Sherwood getting the verdict after a very game Collings was forced to admit defeat.
The next action at Arena Essex comes on June 21st when the PRI Bangers, Junior Bangers, 2L Stock Cars and Lightning Rods provide the entertainment on the Thurrock short oval. Start time 1pm.
Photos are credited to Matt Bull/RacePixels.co.uk
