Super 4 2026 British Championship Round 3: Rowrah

“After a frustrating Saturday practice, we headed into race day hoping that a fresh set of tyres would transform the kart. Throughout Saturday, nothing we tried seemed to improve the setup, and we struggled to find the right balance. Fortunately, fitting the new tyres on Sunday made a significant difference. During the morning warm-up, the kart immediately felt much better. The increased grip allowed me to carry more speed, and I found myself using a gear higher through every corner compared to the previous day. While this was encouraging, it also meant that heading into Heat 1 I effectively had to relearn the circuit, as the kart’s handling characteristics had changed dramatically from Saturday.â€�

Heat 1 (Grid: 2^nd)

“We didn’t get the start we were hoping for and lost several positions heading into the first corner. It then took around four laps for both the kart and myself to fully adapt to the new tyres and find a rhythm. Once settled in, our pace improved considerably, and I was able to stay right on the back of the driver running in sixth place for the remainder of the race. We crossed the line in seventh position, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the day.â€�

Heat 2 (Grid: 8^th)

“Starting from 13th on the grid, I moved up to 11th by lap eight following some early attrition ahead. Kart 11 was tapped at high speed on the straight and was sent into the barriers, while kart 56 also retired on the same lap, promoting me up the order. By half distance, there was a long train of karts running from fifth to twelfth, all closely matched for pace. The key moment came approaching one of the hairpins, where three karts ahead became involved in an incident. I reacted quickly, diving to the inside and avoiding the crash completely while gaining several positions in the process. That move elevated me to eighth place, and I was able to maintain that position until the chequered flag.�

Heat 3 (Grid: 16^th)

“I made a strong getaway and climbed to 14th within the opening two laps. The momentum continued as I worked my way forward to 11th place. Unfortunately, disaster struck shortly afterwards. Exiting the right-hand hairpin, the kart suddenly lost power and came to a stop, forcing me to retire from the race.    

“Back in the paddock, we began investigating the issue and discovered that the spark plug gap had completely closed. Further inspection of the piston crown revealed numerous impact marks, suggesting that debris had passed through the engine and damaged the spark plug. We quickly replaced the piston and worked against the clock to prepare the kart for the final, ultimately making it to the dummy grid just in time. However, the rushed turnaround meant we didn’t have sufficient time to adjust the carburettor for the changing track conditions.â€�

Final

“For the final, the kart was running too rich due to the lack of time available to adjust the carburettor settings after the engine repair. Starting from eighth on the grid, I lost three places off the line. Throughout the race, the rich carburettor setting caused the engine to misfire on corner exits, making it difficult to accelerate cleanly and defend against attacks from behind. Despite the performance limitations, I managed to keep fighting throughout the race and brought the kart home in 11th position.

“Although the weekend began with a difficult practice day, the new tyres transformed the kart on race day and allowed us to be competitive. We secured strong results in the opening heats, highlighted by a seventh-place finish in Heat 1 and an eighth-place finish in Heat 2.

“The DNF in Heat 3 was a major setback, but the team’s effort to diagnose the issue, replace the piston and get the kart back onto the grid for the final was exceptional. Despite being hampered by an overly rich carburettor setting in the final, we still managed to finish 11th and salvage valuable championship points from a challenging weekend.

“Next stop is Fulbeck in Lincolnshire.�

Super 4 2025 British Championship Round 6 Rowrah

“It was a challenging but eventful race day with highs, lows, and a strong finish that showed both pace and resilience.�

Heat 1 (Grid: 4^th)

“I got a good launch and managed to drive up the inside of the #57 into the left-hand hairpin.

“Soon after, the #27 retired, which promoted me to the lead. I held onto P1 for three laps, but was eventually passed and dropped to second. With two laps to go, #3 kart dived up the inside going down Lakeside Straight. This put me wide and onto the curb allowed another kart through, dropping me to 4th. Despite the late-race drama, the kart felt great throughout the session – especially impressive considering I only managed five wet laps in Saturday practice due to the weather.�

Heat 2 (Grid: 10^th)

“I made a strong start and gained a few positions. Unfortunately, on the second lap, a crash unfolded right in front of me in the left-hand hairpin. I had nowhere to go and made heavy contact with one of the karts, which caused mine to stall. That ended our race early, which was especially frustrating given the strong pace we had shown in Heat 1 and the potential to climb further through the field.�

Heat 3 (Grid: 8^th)

“Mid-way through the race, I had a run on the #59 going into the left-hand hairpin. He was struggling for pace, so I moved to the outside. As expected, he began to push me wide, so I switched strategies and cut back to try the undercut. Just as I did, another kart came over the top of mine, resulting in a dramatic incident. #59 and the kart that rolled were both out (thankfully, the driver was okay). I continued for another corner, but as I went to brake for the next right-hand hairpin, the kart shot straight off the circuit. The impact had snapped the steering wheel bolt, disconnecting it from the steering column and forcing us to retire.�

Final

“Despite two DNFs, our P4 finish in Heat 1 helped salvage a mid-grid start—lining up 12th out of 20 for the final. At the chicane on Lap 1, chaos erupted with karts going in all directions. I managed to thread through the carnage cleanly and gained a few places, though I lost some in the melee that followed. I moved up two positions and was soon on the bumper of #41. He was a bit too eager on the throttle out of the final corner and spun, gifting me another place. On Lap 9, I was chasing #3 when he retired, promoting me to P8. For the remainder of the race, I was right on the tail of #34, attacking through the chicane, both hairpins, and into the final corner, but couldn’t quite make a move stick. We crossed the line in 8th place.

“While two DNFs hampered our points haul, the 4th in Heat 1 and solid drive in the final to 8^th salvaged a respectable result. The kart felt strong throughout the day, and with better luck, we would have been well inside the top 5. Plenty of positives to build on heading into the next round.

“We are currently sitting 7th in the championship with two rounds to go and next stop is Fulbeck in Lincolnshire in August.

“Thanks to all my sponsors Maxview, Silkolene, Charmed Interiors, NGK Spark Plugs, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, HairStyles, Carter Haulage and Listers BMW.â€�

Super 4 2024 British Championship | Round 6: Rowrah

Location: Cumbria Kart Racing Club, Rowrah, Cumbria 

Heat 1 (Grid: 7^th)

“For this round, the circuit decided we would start the races with rolling starts instead of the standing starts which we usually use,  possibly due to the fact that the circuit is quite narrow. I haven’t done a rolling start for over 10 years, but managed a great start, however the pole sitter didn’t and most of us ended up on the grass taking avoiding action. In the melee, I rejoined in 7th place to my surprise. Halfway through the race, I was having a good battle with number 7, trading places for a few laps back and forth as we went into the left and right hairpins. One lap I’d get passed then the next he would then I’d passed him on the exit of the left-hand hairpin but I was then in the wrong place for the right hairpin tried to make it stick but lost out on the exit. I was right up his bumper but he never made a mistake for me to capitalize on. I finished 0.4 seconds off him in 7th.â€�

Heat 2 (Grid: 11^th)

“I made up four places on the first lap, moving up to 7th. After the first lap, I was behind a slower kart and knew I had to make a move that lap – if not I would lose touch with the rest of the field. On the second from last corner, I had a great exit and licked the stamp and sent it (in Riccardo’s words!) up the inside on the last corner, making the move stick. I was 2.1 seconds behind 7th and after 5 laps had closed the gap, I was trying to make a move but it was difficult to overtake around this circuit. Us two in turn closed the gap to 6th we all were jostling for 6th. As we crossed the finish line three wide 0.3 seconds covered 6th to myself in 8th.â€�

Heat 3 (Grid: 1^st)

“I didn’t get a good start but was in 3rd place and running well until on lap 5 where I lost drive from the kart and had to pull off the circuit to retire. Back in the paddock, we investigated the problem and found that the front sprocket had sheered the inner splines off. This was frustrating as we were running well in that race.â€�

Final

“We lined up 9th for the final and moved up to 8th by the end of the first lap and were pushing hard to pass 7th but couldn’t find a way to pass. With three laps remaining, we moved up a position as 2nd place retired from the final and finally finished 7th.â€�

“We are currently sitting 5th in the championship with one round to go and next stop is Kimbolton in Cambridgeshire for the final round of the championship.

“Thanks to all my sponsors Maxview, Silkolene, Charmed Interiors, NGK Spark Plugs, ÃÛÌÒÊÓƵ, HairStyles, Carter Haulage and Listers BMW.â€�