The 2002/3 Open Endurance Championship

Round 1 - Winter Series - 10th November
Daytona Milton Keynes

Foreword

The innovative concept of this endurance series is to accommodate a specified range of different classes to compete directly against one another in the same race. The handicap system adopted, increases the number of fuel stops for the faster formulae, thus enabling any of the classes to win the race outright. The following classes are eligible, Promax, J/TKM 4/, Prokart, 390 Thunderkart and Pro Extremes.

Race Resume

Rain and more rain greeted the 20 odd teams for the first round of this brand new multi formula series, and the wet conditions certainly suited the Pro Extremes with 200 RPM and KKC taking the front row of qualifying, and the Pro Max's of ASM-Zoom and SZR, making up the second row.

Blue Thunder in heavy traffic

Within a few minutes of the start, ASM-Zoom took the lead with 200 RPM just 3 seconds adrift and KKC another 2 seconds behind them in 3rd place. Meanwhile the gremlins had already attacked Westco and the TKM of SRT Racing had shattered a brake disc, which would eventually lead to their retirement. As the leading Pro Max pitted for their 1st fuel stop, 200 RPM regained the lead with AJB Karting moving up into 3rd place. Ace of Aces moved up into 4th spot just in front of Donuts, ASM-Zoom rejoined in 5th place and the recovering Pro kart of Dot Com were now up to 7th. As the varying array of fuel stops took their effect, the 2-hour mark saw 200 Rpm just in front of AJB Karting and ASM-Zoom, with the Pro kart of Dot Com moving up to 4th.

With half race distance completed, ASM-Zoom had regained the lead with the same pack still in hot pursuit, but TWS,s Thunderkart was now on the move and displaced the Prokart of Dot Com to take 4th spot.

SZR's Promax heads a trio of Extremes

Mix and match in the wet

With 2 hours remaining, 200 RPM were getting the lion's share of the lead and AJB Karting, ASM-Zoom and TWS were all fighting for second place and all still on the same lap. Then in almost the same instance, disaster struck both the Pro kart of Dot Com and the Pro max of ASM-Zoom, placing them out of contention and undoubtedly negating the chance of a podium finish. In the last remaining hour, 200 RPM started to stretch out a 2-lap lead, despite not being the fastest Pro Extreme on circuit (which incidentally was KKC Racing), whilst TWS and AJB Karting fought it out for second place. In the closing stages 200 RPM maintained their lead, TWS got the better of AJB Karting and good finishes from KKC, Blue Thunder and WMPC1, made up the top six finishers.

Leading Pro-kart of Dot Com

Conclusion

An excellent race with four different formula finishing in the top six and all but one kart failing to make the distance. The driving standard was of a very high calibre and the fears of carnage with such a mixed grid were undoubtedly put to rest. Round two of the series is on the 22nd December at Daytona Milton Keynes.

Results

Overall Results of Round 1

Best in Class 

Winning faces, RPM,TWS and AJB

Report by Paul Bowler.

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