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Please click the relevant link below to download your entry form. Please note you do not have to be an EasyKart member to take part in the E-plate.

Cadets | Juniors | Senior

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Round 7 - Race Report

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Round 6 - Race Report

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Rounds 6 & 7 Preview

A different gravy at Rowrah

Connoisseurs in for a treat with rounds 6 and 7 of the Easykart UK championship

What could be more mouthwatering than Steak and Kidney Pie, Mushy Peas, Chips and lashings of Gravy in the café at Rowrah?

As everyone knows, Northern boys love gravy - but a side order of Easykart? Well, now you’re talking. This weekend gravy and karting fans will be able to fill their boots with two of the finest things in life a boy (and girl) could enjoy. The annual Easykart double-header at the Cumbrian circuit promises a feast of excitement and could see titles won and lost.

Cadet

At last month’s round at Whilton Mill, Ronan McKenzie edged ahead of previous points leader Tom Thickpenny, to maintain his 100% podium record with another 2nd place finish. In contrast Thickpenny – the winner of the opening two rounds - found himself experiencing a damage limitation exercise and did well to maintain his title challenge with 8th place. After a slow start to his campaign, Will Stowell is now gathering momentum and knows that Rowrah offers him a golden opportunity to bridge the gap to his closest rivals. Whilst he is well out of the title race, newcomer Ross Gunn will be keen to repeat his stunning Whilton performance. Super Novice, Zack Nickson has performed heroically for a driver still on black number plates - it would come as no surprise to see him in the top three over the weekend.

Junior

Thomas Grainger makes the long journey from his home in south London to the Lakes spurred on by an 8-point advantage over Toby Sowery. Although he won the opening round and was again victorious at Whilton, Sowery has shown a tendency to drop points like Robert Green does footballs. If he can find more consistency in Saturday and Sunday’s races, Grainger will really have something to worry about. A further headache for him could be James DeHavillande. The Easykart Driver programme star has had a similar first half of his season to Sowery and now needs to find his rhythm if he is to add the Junior crown to his 2009 Cadet title. The only other driver in the class to score over 600 points is Luca Hirst. He has been a runner-up three times this year and could finally make that extra step up on the podium this weekend.

Light

Kieran McCullough is a study in will power. The current Heavy champion decided to enter the Light category at the end of 2009 and signalled his intent with 3rd place in the E Plate. He exudes a desire to compete and win. This has made the tall Londoner such a formidable opponent and the prospect of winning back-to-back title in separate categories must be an incredible incentive for him. Preventing him from creating history and putting their own names in the record books will propel Elliot Rice, Owen Jenman, Patrick Lay and Sam Dimelow to the fore. Like McCullough, Dimelow appears to have his competitive nature etched into every fibre of his being, and after three consecutive 3rd places, is arguably due a breakthrough win. Keep an eye out for the fast but luckless Will Smith and Tony Longstaff – both must be due a break from finishing races as spectators.

Heavy

Thankfully, initial runaway championship lead Barnaby Pittingale read the script and is now making the Heavy class really exciting. After three dominant wins, Pittingale has struggled to maintain his early form which has allowed Tim Hill to close the gap. After his maiden win last month, Will Gibson may feel that a very large monkey has been lifted from his back and could now mount a serious run for overall victory. Michael Roots made a huge impression on his Easykart debut when he finished 2nd to Gibson. Beforehand, Club 100 regulars were very much aware of his credentials, but others weren’t. After Whilton, nobody had any doubt that Roots - ‘Manuva’ as he was predictably nicknamed – will be firmly in the mix from hereon in. For Mark Lawrence, Rowrah marks his return to the circuit where he scored his first victory. A winner again in 2010, the ebullient Scot is quick round the twists and undulations of the Lakeland Stadium and could well replicate last year’s breakthrough success.

The action starts from 10:00am on Sunday at the Lakeland Stadium, Rowrah - on the A5086 between Cockermouth and Egremont.

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Kart Grand Prix and Bambino demonstrations set for Rowrah

Easykart paddock to get up close and personal with exciting new classes

Following the recent, successful launch of the Kart Grand Prix TAG series concept into the UK, Andy Cox Racing will demonstrate a KGP machine at the Easykart double-header at Rowrah (20-22 August).

Easykart promoter, John Vigor says “I hear that more than 30 have been sold already, so it’s clearly going to be popular. There will be a senior grid of KGP karts joining the Easykart championship in 2011 and we understand that discussions with the British Super 1 series’ organisers have been very encouraging.”

John adds, “The Rowrah demonstration will be given by the mysterious, but blisteringly fast, Easykart Stig and offers prospective Kart Grand Prix drivers a great opportunity to examine the kart and engine, talk to Andy (Cox) and of course, have a go themselves. In the interim, more information can be found at ww.kartgrandprix.co.uk”

Also taking to the track at the Lakeland Stadium will be Birel’s superb Bambino Easykart. The class for 5 to 8-year olds is massively popular in Italy and has become firmly established in Easykart franchises throughout the world.

“We want to give kids and their parents the opportunity to take part in Easykart race weekends next year. Bambino is an important part of the Easykart family and we would like to see it take off here in the UK.”

The demonstrations will run throughout the weekend, starting on Friday 20 August.

If you would like the opportunity to test drive the Birel Kart Grand Prix kart at Rowrah, please email ACR - birel@btconnect.com

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Round 5 - Race Report

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Round 5 Preview

All Grist to the Whilton Mill

Round 5 arrives in Northamptonshire this weekend

This weekend sees the beginning of a crucial phase for the 2010 Easykart UK championship – the run to the finish. With just this and three more rounds remaining, everything is very much to play for. Not least, is the opportunity to book a place at October’s World Finals - held this year at the internationally renowned Castelletto circuit near Milan. Thanks to the enormous success of the UK series, it is believed that Birel will invite more British drivers to race in this year’s event.

“We have unconfirmed reports that suggest the top seven drivers will have the opportunity to go to Italy,” says series promoter, John Vigor. “Naturally the winners of the Cadet, Junior, Light and Heavy classes will go completely free, whilst the remaining five runners-up in their respective categories will be given the opportunity to enter for Castelletto. We also understand that a wildcard entry for each of the E Plate champions is being considered.”

If this is corroborated by the Italian giants, it will certainly add extra impetus and a new level of excitement to the latter part of the domestic championship.

Cadet
Early leader Tom Thickpenny is now tied on 508 points with Ronan McKenzie, whilst third-placed William Stowell has overcome a faltering start to his season and is now, very much on a charge. Behind the lead trio is a gaggle of five drivers separated by just a handful of points; Jack Vallance, Zack Nickson, Kyle Forgie, Kieran Wragg and Jenson Murchison. Nickson enjoyed his best finish of the season at Llandow, with a fine 4th place, and he will be eager to build on that at Whilton. Another driver coming on in leaps and bounds is Matthew Round-Garrido. With each race he looks increasingly assured and could figure strongly in Northamptonshire. The championship welcomes Ross Gunn who, despite making his Easykart debut this Sunday, is an experienced and accomplished Cadet driver with a string of titles under his belt and could well be the big surprise of the meeting.

Junior
Another new driver entering the fray at Whilton will be Jack Howell and again, a generous welcome is extended to him. It may be far too early to suggest that this year’s Junior championship is between just two drivers but James DeHavillande and Thomas Grainger are the only competitors in this class to yield over five hundred points. Toby Sowery is their closest rival on 492. However, he will need to return to winning ways if he is to mount a serious challenge to the lead pair. James Lay desperately wants to win his first trophy of the season and it would be unwise to bet against him achieving that this weekend. Other drivers to watch are Luca Hirst and AJ Morris. Both are quick and AJ is especially, long overdue a big result.

Light
Thirty two drivers will fight for Light honours, including the returning Christopher Waldock, who missed the previous two rounds due to exam commitments. Reigning E Plate holder Elliot Rice continues to lead the way but has yet to stand on top of the podium this year. That could change come Sunday. That said, Patrick Lay and Kieran McCullough will be doing everything they can to prevent this from happening. 2009 Junior champion Lay has taken two wins, but subsequently dropped the advantage after each victory. McCullough won convincingly in the wet at Llandow last month and will undoubtedly be a front-runner at Whilton, whilst Joe Paterson, Sam Dimelow and Owen Jenman can also be expected to feature.

Heavy
Runaway leader Barnaby Pittingale has to be favourite to make it four wins out of five. Mechanical gremlins in Wales forced him to start from the pit-lane and despite a stunning drive from the back of the grid to fifth, he dropped points to eventual winner Mark Lawrence. Tim Hill’s second runner-up finish of the season kept him in touch with Pittingale and Lawrence but the notorious bumps and harsh kerbs could play havoc with his ribs. If Hill suffers, a host of drivers could step into the limelight. Fast but erratic Firas Bilbeisi could and should figure, while Gary Poynter will want to bounce back from a dreadful last race. If he isn’t too busy playing ‘Braveheart’ in the pursuing pack, Jack Bruce could well head back to Scotland on Sunday night with a trophy on the passenger seat of his car.

The KKC shop, located near the circuit entrance, will be represented by its very own Nick Moss - who is either very confident or daft to make his Easykart debut at his home circuit and Club 100 regulars will be keen to see how current Heavy Sprint number one, Michael Roots fares on his debut.

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Round 4 - Race Report

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Championship hits halfway mark in Wales

Llandow hosts round 4 this weekend

“It may be small but it’s perfectly formed and beautifully presented,” as the baronet said to the Page 3 model. The same could be said for South Wales’ gem of a circuit, Llandow.

The 1050 metre circuit may not be the largest on the calendar, but its compact nature and mix of sweeping and tight corners invariably combine to inspire some superb racing. With Llandow marking the mid point of the series, and after some spectacular and feisty racing at Clay Pigeon last month (23 May), things are likely to become very exciting in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Cadet
Just three points separate current points leader Tom Thickpenny from his closest rival, Ronan McKenzie. At Clay, Thickpenny had no answer for the pace of McKenzie or last year’s vice-Champion, Will Stowell. Having won the opening two rounds, Thickpenny will be gunning for a return to glory, but it will surely be McKenzie who heads to Wales feeling the most confident. However, don’t rule out the possibility of an upset coming from somewhere in the pack. Last year’s race at Llandow, saw Ryan Anderton take his only win of the season, and ultimately James DeHavillande a clean sweep of victories on his march to the title.

Kyle Forgie and Kieran Wragg experienced a dip in form at Clay and this weekend’s encounter will be the perfect opportunity for them to bounce back. Matthew Round-Garrido and Daniel McAuley drove well at Clay and should figure, along with Jack Vallance and Jenson Murchison.

Junior
The Junior class is incredibly open. In each of the opening three races there have been different winners; Thomas Grainger, Toby Sowery and James DeHavillande. The latter has been the most consistent with a podium finish on each occasion. However, Grainger heads the table by virtue of his victory at Clay and a strong 2nd place at Ellough back in April.

Luca Hirst has been the nearly man on the past two occasions and will be pressing hard in Wales for his first win. Jamie Cummings has taken a trophy home this season and is a consistent front-runner, whilst James Lay has improved his results at every round. On his current trajectory he should be on course for a trophy at Whilton Mill but could well run ahead of schedule at Llandow. We’ll just have wait and see.

Light
Who would have put money on last year’s Junior champion leading the points in the senior category? The Prime Minister perhaps, after his famous horse racing punditry on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme in May. The PM would have got some pretty tasty odds on Lay at the beginning of the season but after Clay, less so. Patrick’s second win of the year has put him on top of the leaderboard, just five points clear of Elliot Rice though. The E Plate champion had a character-building time in Dorset but showed grit and determination to carve his way from the back of the grid and into the top ten.

Kieran McCullough’s title aspirations took a wobble last month but that usually signals a tsunami response from him. He will be fast, aggressive and compelling to watch at Llandow. As will be Sam Dimelow, round two victor Joe Paterson and Owen Jenman. Last year Jenman survived a last corner collision to claim his first podium of the year. Could Llandow be the scene of his first ever Easykart win?

Heavy
Incredibly, Barnaby Pittingale finished over five seconds down on Will Smith at last year’s corresponding fixture. With Smith now in the Light category and Barney’s form such as it is (three wins from three races) the headline writers will forgiven for already writing ‘Pittingale to the Four’.

Behind him is a welter of drivers eager to knock him off his perch. On results so far, Gary Poynter is his nearest challenger but Tim Hill, Adrian Riccardo-Batty and Mark Lawrence have also all finished inside the top three this season and will be desperate to take their debut victories. Just some of the candidates who could collect their first silverware of 2010 are Jerry Pack, Jay Shepherd, Firas Bilbeisi, Ken Steward and Howard Kayman. The unpredictability created by the circuit layout and the local weather could deliver a big shock, if you’re in the area on Sunday it will be well worth watching.

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Round 3 - Images

You can find images from R3 at http://www.teltphotography.com/K-CPKCE-230510.aspx

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Round 3 - Race Report

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They Might Be Giants - Round 3 Preview

The legendary Clay Pigeon hosts the 3rd round of the Easykart championship this weekend

Along the A37, the road leading from Dorchester to Yeovil, there are signs pointing to the idyllic village of Cerne Abbas. This sleepy, idyllic home to just 800 souls isn’t only famous for its connection with Thomas Hardy (who called it Abbot’s Cernel in Tess of the D’Urbervilles) but also the enormous, priapic chalk giant carved onto a hillside nearby.

Some say the Cerne Giant was created by the Romans and symbolizes the god Hercules, whilst others claim it is more recent than that and is in fact, a cheeky caricature of Oliver Cromwell. If you happen to chance across someone wearing woad, sandals and sporting an enormous beard - which is not uncommon in Dorset - they’ll probably spraff on about it being an ancient, pagan symbol of fertility. But they’re a randy lot hippies, so they’ll find any excuse to slip sex into a conversation. Which leaves a last, hitherto unknown, theory - the Giant is merely excited by the prospect of Easykart’s return to Clay Pigeon, just a few miles away.

Since the series’ UK inception three years ago, the West Country circuit has been a popular fixture on the calendar and invariably rewards its inclusion by producing spectacular racing. After two enthralling opening rounds, it remains to be seen if Clay will throw up more new winners, or confirm some drivers as principal title contenders, despite the championship not yet reaching the half-way mark.

Cadet

One driver shaping up to be in the latter category is Tom Thickpenny. So far the Scot has delivered a perfect score, but found the going far tougher at Teesside last month than he did at Ellough during the opening round. Ronan McKenzie and Kieran Wragg have kept him honest and are both just nine points shy of his tally. Behind them is a gaggle of drivers, separated by the slenderest of margins. The smart money would suggest that Easykart Driver Programme member Will Stowell is due a big result, whilst Kyle Forgie, Jack Vallance and the appropriately named, Jenson Murchison, will all be looking for their first visits onto the podium this year.

Junior

Two rounds down and two winners – Toby Sowery and James DeHavillande. Another win for James would underline his obvious talent and create jitters among his rivals, whilst Toby will be working hard to recreate his Ellough race-winning form. Thomas Grainger and Jamie Cummings are close behind in terms of points, but it is Luca Hirst who could well emerge to be the strongest threat to DeHavillande’s title aspirations. A lacklustre run at Ellough gave him an early wobble, but he bounced back with a fine second place at Middlesbrough to give Luca reasons to be optimistic as the season progresses.

Light

Back to back podiums (2nd and 3rd) have carried Elliot Rice to the top of the table, but so far he hasn’t had the win he is so clearly capable of taking. Doubtless he will be delighted to return to the scene of his E Plate triumph. Last year, Rice won a pulsating encounter and will surely be a factor this weekend. Runner-up that day, Owen Jenman is desperate to take his first Easykart win and is always fast at Clay. So too though is Kieran McCullough. Last month, he out-foxed Rice in the battle for the runner-up spot and the Londoner will have only one focus for Sunday - to win. As if that wasn’t enough of an embarrassment of riches, Joe Paterson will again be in the mix. Having won in the North East, the Essex ace is enjoying his debut Easykart season and just one victory will not be enough for the former American ICA front-runner.

Heavy

With reigning champion McCullough and E Plate holder Will Smith now in the Light brigade, Barnaby Pittingale has to be the odds-on favourite to take his first Clay Pigeon win. He is a prolific race winner, but curiously a victory at the Dorset circuit has eluded him. It would take a brave man to bet against him breaking his duck this time around. However, Gary Poynter has run him extremely close in 2010 and grows in confidence with each race. Similarly, Mark Lawrence has shown phenomenal pace but lacked that final, killer blow. If the popular Scot can hook it all together and enjoy a little bit of luck, he could well be in the frame to add the summer title to the winter crown he claimed in the 2007/2008 season. Tim Hill struggled in round two but knows Clay well and is a regular front-runner. Like Lawrence, he has yet to claim an outright victory but this can only be a matter of time.

The action starts from 10:00am on Sunday at Clay Pigeon Raceway, Wardon Hill, between Dorchester and Yeovil.

EDP Driver Wins Award!

EDP driver James Dehavillande has picked up a Young Achiever Award in the 2010 Pride in Aylesbury awards. The awards are given in recognition of success in sport and with James's Championship win in 2009 in Easykart Cadet and his inclusion in the Easy Kart Driving programme he came out as the deserved winner !

Our congratulations to James - Easykart - the word is spreading !

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Round 2 - Race Report

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Easykart heads to ‘Shanghai of the North’

Easykart packs its bags and heads to the North East for what is usually one of the most popular races on the calendar.

Voted, perhaps unkindly, the “10th crappest town in England” – the TS1 postcode denotes one of the most deprived areas of the country - Middlesborough provided a lively backdrop for the series’ first visit last year.

The nightlife proved something of an eye-opener for many, with the locals more than ready to give the visitors a, shall we say, ‘rapturous welcome’. This extended to the fabulous circuit owned and run by the Pope family.

Bob Pope is a genial bear of a man and has been involved with leisure karting since its creation back in the late Seventies. At Teesside he has created a fantastic motorsport facility, with a huge circuit that can accommodate cars, bikes and in a smaller configuration, karts.

With a combination of fast straights, tight corners and two, enormous-radius bends (one of which is semi-banked), Teesside is a maximum-attack track and in some ways, is reminiscent of the Shanghai GP circuit. Last year it produced some great racing and physically punished those who weren’t in tip-top shape.

After a thrilling season opener at Ellough last month, the second round, combined with the nature of Teesside provides us with a mouth-watering prospect.

Light

Last year’s double Light victor, Oliver Scullion sadly won’t be around to defend his 2009 success, but Owen Jenman his closest challenger, will be. Can he go one step higher on the podium this time? First round winner Patrick Lay will certainly hope not. He will surely be full of confidence after his stunning Ellough performance. Keep an eye on Ben Yeomans – who was fast but luckless at Middlesborough last season – and Jack Sales and Elliot Rice. Both of whom are hungry for their first victories of the season.

Junior

James DeHavillande shone in the Junior category last month and was denied an almost certain triumph in the main final by a pedal extender working itself loose. Furthermore, he won at Teesside in the Cadet class and will be out to make history as the first competitor to take wins in two separate categories.

Doing their utmost to deny him of this will be Toby Sowery, AJ Morris and, last year’s 3rd-place man, Thomas Grainger. Jamie Cummings and Brandon Williams could also factor when the flag drops.

Cadet

Trying to predict the Cadet top three is incredibly tough. Like Caesar’s did to Britain, Tom Thickpenny came, saw and conquered. Leaving pre-season favourites Ronan McKenzie and William Stowell wondering what had hit them. Stowell was plagued by engine gremlins and if he has sorted them in time for this weekend, he must be a key player. Similarly, McKenzie was Thickpenny’s closest challenger at Ellough and can realistically expect to be running at or near the front again. Don’t discount Kieran Wragg. Another newcomer into Easykart, Kieran impressed with his pace and consistency and took home a trophy (for 3rd) on his debut.

Heavy

Barnaby Pittingale dominated Teesside in 2009, but his success was much aided by Will Smith’s complete absence of luck. Experiencing two punctures in both qualifying sessions, Will had to come from the back of the grid in the pre-final and took a much-applauded 5th after starting from 27th on the grid. In the main final he chased Kieran McCullough, but had to give best to the former pair. With McCullough now a front-running Light racer and Smith making a shock decision to swap classes from this weekend, it falls to Mark Lawrence and ‘Sir’ Tim Hill to lead the chase. Both enjoyed excellent races at Teesside and on current form, can expect to again.

Debunking the Samson theory, Ken Steward came to Ellough with a dramatic haircut and was stronger than ever, despite complaining of being unfit. With a month since to hit the gym, one of the nicest blokes in the paddock could well be worth a cheeky punt on. Behind him in the pre-final but just ahead in the feature race, Gary Poynter will be buoyed by his podium success and Jay Shepherd is due a big result.

That said, like the Middlesborough girls who willingly flash their bits to complete strangers, someone is surely due to deliver quite a surprise this weekend!

If you’re looking for a fast, friendly series where the emphasis is on driver ability rather than budget, then you’ll love Easykart.

Sunday’s meeting is a great way to meet the drivers and receive advice from them and get information from the UK Easykart importer, Andy Cox of ACR and series promoter, Club100’s John Vigor.

The action starts from 10:00am on Sunday at Teesside Autodrome, South Tees Motorsports Park, Middlesborough.

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Round 1 - Race Report

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Easykart UK gears up for biggest season ever!

This weekend (27-28 March) sees the opening round of the Easykart season kick off at Ellough Park Raceway, a cracking little gem of a circuit that has been refreshed, rejuvenated and redeveloped by the indefatigable Richard Lock and his team, and proudly hosts the first visit of a national championship of 2010.

On paper, this year promises to be one of the most open and competitive seasons yet. None of the current champions will defend their crowns, making way for a host of new hopefuls to rise up and make their mark.

Reigning Light champion Terry Langley is taking a sabbatical from racing, but will be a regular presence in the paddock as he turns his attentions to driver coaching.

The Heavy class’s number one hinted that he might abandon his crown when he finished third in last November’s E Plate meeting at Clay Pigeon, and indeed Kieran McCullough has confirmed his switch to the Light category.

Similarly, Junior champion Patrick Lay will come of age in both senses of the word when he makes his Light debut on Sunday.

After steamrollering the Cadet opposition, James DeHavillande will test himself against the Junior regulars and a welter of newcomers.

After its successful inauguration into the calendar last summer, the Cadet class has quickly established itself as an exciting alternative to other classes for 8 to 13-year olds. The championship organisers Club100 have received more than double the number of entries for the corresponding first round fixture last year. As its Managing Director, John Vigor says: “It’s going to be great. Ellough is a superb place to go racing and I’m delighted that Easykart will be the first national series to christen the new track extension. With every one of our 2009 champions moving on, we’re guaranteed to see new race-winners and champions emerge and that can only be good.”

In total over 120 drivers have entered and both senior classes will require B finals. John comments: “We’ve had a very healthy influx of new competitors come into Easykart and I’m really pleased to see that they’re all new to karting – not just guys transferring from other categories or championships. That means our package is really attractive to the sport’s newcomers. But that’s not to say we don’t listen to our existing customers. This year we’ve introduced a new format to the racing, based on what the drivers wanted.”

The new schedule will now see one timed qualifying session, with a (ten minute-plus one lap) heat replacing the old second session. Following the European model, the event will then consist of a repecharge and two finals, pre and main.

If you’re looking for a fast, friendly series where the emphasis is on driver ability rather than budget, then you’ll love Easykart.

Sunday’s meeting is a great way to meet the drivers and receive advice from them and get information from the UK Easykart importer, Andy Cox of ACR and series promoter, Club100’s John Vigor.

The action starts from 10:00am on Sunday at Ellough Park Raceway, near Beccles.

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Easykart UK acknowledged by MP David Cameron!

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Official Easykart Cadet Satellite team

ACR has appointed and endorsed Kart Tek Racing for 2010 as an Official Easykart Satellite Team specifically aimed at the Easykart Cadet class.

Andy Cox explains”The EK Cadet grid is growing quickly, we are looking at a near full grid for 2010, in fact all the EK categories have dramatically increased for 2010 which is fantastic!

Here at ACR we have the capacity to maintain and assist 12 drivers with storage, preparation and awning space at EK events. We cater for all the EK classes and have two cadets in our trust for this season - but we are now full for 2010 and our partners at Club 100 who offer a similar service for graduates to EK from their Club 100 race series are nearing their capacity - Easykart is growing!

Of course our philosophy is fair play and a level playing field but it has become obvious that some people rely on extra support for either storage or kart preparation between events or awning and mechanical assistance in the track - otherwise they wouldn't be able to take up karting in the first place. Easykart caters for all from someone working from the back of a car or roof rack or trailer to a van or even a horsebox! - The common denominator is the karts performance on the track -they are equal - this is what is important, only the driver can make the difference.

Kart Tek Racing are based 5 mins from the Whilton Mill kart track and is run by father and son Ken and Darren Masters. In 2004 Darren started to look after Cadet karts from novice drivers up to Championship level with great success winning Club Championships at Whilton Mill and many other club races but they are best known for winning the 2007 British Cadet Championship with Darren's nephew Brett Wykes.

But why are Kart Tek joining Easykart? Darren Masters explains ”firstly the cost to start Easykart cadet racing is a lot more affordable for everyone, once you have your kart thats it, then it’s about getting your kart set up and driver driving well. In Comer Cadet the cost just goes on and on to stay competitive, Comer engines can change hands for up to £7500! - it’s crazy. Easykart has been setup well by ACR and the scrutineering and the way the engine and kart is controlled is very thorough and responsible and fair to everyone. We have moved three of our clients over to Easykart for 2010 for these reasons alone, we want to enjoy our racing, the atmosphere and the way the Easykart Championship is run is fantastic and a breath of fresh air! "

Kart Tek will also offer the Cadet Easykart experience Click Here at Whilton Mill for test drives for people wanting to join Easykart Cadet. Kart tek have also been endorsed by ACR to have an Easy Cadet for rent for any potential drivers to try under a one off race basis ahead of possibly purchasing an Easy cadet to join the Championship.

If you are in Easykart Cadet or considering the formula for 2010 and are looking for either storage, kart preparation or extra help/ awning space for the 2010 EK season contact Darren at Kart Tek Racing darren@kart-tekracing.co.uk

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Important info about New Easykart allocations!

Thinking of ordering a kart for the new season?

Such has been the demand over the closed season ACR has sold out - again ! The next karts available will be mid Feb for the Easy catagories Cadet and Junior only. For Senior karts the next consignment will be the begining of March. The first round of the 2010 Easykart UK Championship is 28th March at Ellough Park so there is still enough time to get your kart and join the Championship - but hurry ! To place your £350 deposit and reserve your kart call the ACR office 01527 889595.

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UK drivers selected for International Easykart Driver Programme

James DeHavillande, Ronan McKenzie and Will Stowell were announced as Easykart UK’s inaugural participants in their newly-launched Driver Programme.

It follows on from Birel’s already existing Italian model, which gives youngsters aged between 9 and 14-years old substantial assistance with their racing careers.

Initially, DeHavillande, McKenzie and Stowell will be signed on a twelve month contract with the legendary Italian kart manufactuer Birel Spa the constructors of the Easykart range. Their performances throughout 2010 will be closely monitored, with the possibility of a KF3 test with the Lissone-based works team awaiting each of the three. Success in that could open further opportunities for the drivers if they meet certain standards.

“ It’s a very big thing for the boys, and for the championship, because it adds a lot of kudos to easykart,” says EK UK boss Andy Cox. “This is a commercial and career opportunity, for our selected drivers. We’re creating a ladder of opportunity where, if they work hard, keep succeeding and promote Birel and Easykart to the best of their abilities, then we will seriously consider investing in their careers.”

He added, “Essentially, the programme takes a driver from the grass roots, assesses their raw talent and ultimately gives them a big, big chance to progress with Birel Spa.”

Each of the trio will receive a special Official Birel racesuit, bearing the EDP logo on the chest, will test and race at Castelletto near Milan, ahead of next year’s (16/17 October 2010) Easykart World Finals there and also benefit from automatic entry into the event.

Explaining why James, Ronan and Will were chosen, Andy commented, “First of all, their results on the track speak volumes, and second how they conducted themselves off it has also been very important. James dominated the Cadet class this season and for that alone he deserves a place. But on top of that, he always presents himself well – for example, making the effort to wear an Easykart baseball cap at every round. You can see that he wants to represent himself, and the series, in the best possible light at all times.

Ronan and Will have shown themselves to be very capable pilots all year. They’ve pushed James hard all the way, produced some fantastic racing and were on the pace all year. Will had a fantastic World Finals (at Siena, last October) and it was his lack of experience at that level that cost him a higher finish in the main final. But it was enough to show John (Vigor) and I that he has genuine quality. Similarly, Ronan has been fast at every race, but that little bit of vital luck has eluded him. I have been instrumental in past years in bringing English drivers into the Birel team, Jon Lancaster and Jack Harvey to name but a few, but those drivers had contested catagories that were very expensive, it wasn't easy for them to display their fantastic abilites as drivers as there are many variables in the equipment at that level. This year we launched our Easykart cadet class and by selecting three drivers from our 2009 cadet class we have illustrated that a fortune doesn't need to be spent to get an International opportuinity with a major manufactuer like Birel - its raw talent that counts. I believe that the Easykart Driver Programme will help each of the boys to become better, more accomplished drivers and who knows, they may become factory drivers. That would be fantastic wouldn’t it - to progress from Easykart to a berth in the Birel works team - anything is possible”

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Easykart Awards Night

Murder on the dancefloor at Easykart Awards Night

A golden year of racing was brought to a vibrant end with a hugely entertaining awards ceremony, held on the eve of the inaugural ‘E Plate’ meeting at Clay Pigeon (14 November).

The neighbouring gun club provided an appropriate setting for Easykart’s hot shots and young guns, with John Vigor brilliantly hosting the evening. That said, there were scores of open mouths as the ebullient Club100 boss kicked off proceedings with an unaccompanied rendition of the Winkle Song. You don’t get that at the Autosport Awards, or the Oscars…

The top five drivers in each class were invited onto the stage to receive their impressive trophies from a string of guest presenters – including reigning Senior Max Super 1 champion and Rotax legend, Mike Simpson, Ben Yeoman’s glamorous wife Chrissy, Pete from ACR and some fat bloke from Karting Magazine (aka, me).

Andy Cox took the opportunity to make two exciting and exclusive announcements during the event – that Mike Simpson had been tempted out of his all too premature retirement to spearhead ACR’s 2010 Rotax campaign and the drivers who had been selected for the Easykart Driver Development Programme.

After delivering superb performances in every round of the Cadet class, James DeHavillande, Will Stowell and Ronan McKenzie were unveiled as the first British drivers to join the international programme. The trio now has the chance of progressing through the ranks and into a works KF drive with the Birel factory team, if they can keep delivering excellent results throughout the coming season(s).

Further awards went to Marc Mercer, who carried off a gong for Best Clubbie of the Year, thanks to his unswerving support for the Easykart club, his enthusiasm and willingness to help his fellow competitors at every opportunity. The Most Improved Driver award went to the popular Junior, Jack Mitchell.

Once all the glittering prizes handed out, the serious business of partying like a celeb’ could begin. Will Smith’s entourage picked up where they left off in Siena, with his friends making an earnest attempt to drink Dorset and a significant part of Somerset dry. They almost succeeded.

Race starter, Big Mick’s hitherto unknown passion for Freddie Mercury and Queen was scarily revealed on the dancefloor. Miming along and ‘dancing’ – if you can actually call a drunken version of St. Vitus Dance coordinated, rhythmical movement – he drew a fascinated crowd with some impressive gurning and moustache twiddling. The pillar subjected to his thrustings during the pole-dancing part of his routine is probably still being repaired.

The big grins and stories re-told the morning after the night before illustrated the success of the inaugural Easykart Awards – testimony to John and Andy’s hard work to deliver yet another welcome addition to the calendar.

For all those who missed John’s performance (worthy of the X Factor, surely) of the Winkle Song, here are the lyrics for you to sing along to in practice for a Cockney Knees-Up next year…

One Sunday for my tea
I fancied a luxury
So off I went to Old Mother Wrinkle
Bought myself a penny worth of winkles
Took them home, put them on a plate, as happy as can be
For my old woman and the 17 kids and all the family were...
Picking all the big ones out, picking all the big ones out
You ought to see my face all wrinkled
When I saw my penny worth of winkles
All the big ones gone!
It made me rave and shout
For my old woman and the 17 kids had picked all the big ones out!!

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ACR Closed for Holidays!

ACR the Sole UK Importers for the Easykart range will close on Friday 18th December 2009 at 14.00hrs. The last day for ordering parts etc will be Thursday 17th December 2009 and these will be delivered to you the next day "friday" via our couriers Nightfreight.

The ACR office/factory will re open on Monday January 11th 2010

May we take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Easy New Year !

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2009 E Plate report

Click here to see details of the 2009 E plate.

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2009 World Finals report

Click here to see details of the world finals 2009.

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Only 4 karts remain in January's consignment

After a great Kartmania show the order book for Easykarts in January are nigh but full !, we just have 1 cadet left, 1 junior, and 3 senior available from January's consignment so if you really want to race in February at the Winter Warm up at Whilton you need to make sure you have ordered a kart from this consignment. Otherwise the next consignment will be end of February. Remember if you order your kart and pay your deposit in December your VAT will be calculated at 15%.

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January kart allocations filling up fast!

Easykart new kart allocations for end of January begining of February 2010 are filling up fast. If you pre order and pay your deposit of £350 before the 31st December you will avoid the 2.5% rise in VAT. Remember the first 2010 Easykart race "The Winter warmer" at Whilton Mill is on the 21st Feb, so if you are planning to race then you really need to place your order to avoid disapointment. Every Easykart ordered includes an optional visit to the ACR factory with a detailed hand over and seat fitting session is incuded if required.

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E Plate Driver Details

Cadet Driver Entry List

Junior Drivers Entry List

LW Drivers Entry List

HW Drivers Entry List

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Easykart E Plate - Event Programme

Please find below the link to download the Event Programme.

Download here

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Buying or selling a Used Easykart

There are a lot of Easykarts changing hands now with some previous owners buying new and selling their old kart.

You can now go to the section "easykarts for sale" where, if you sell your kart you must de register yourself as the owner and the new owner purchaser must fill in the registration form.

This form is very important to the purchaser as without completion you will not recieve ek news or technical bulletins, but more importantly you will not be able to race the kart til both parties (purchaser and seller) have completed this process.

Numbers for next year in all Easykart catagories look fantastic with new and used sales looking very good.

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November Easykart Allocation Sold Out!

November Allocation Nearly Sold Out ! Allocations Ordered In This Consignment Are Expected To Be Delivered End Of November/ Begining Of December. This Will Be The Last Consignment Before Xmas ! If You Are Planning To Race In February 2010 Be Sure To Order Your Easy Now And Beat The Vat Increase.

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Postal Strike

Dear Easykart Member

'E' Plate

With the current postal strikes taking place, we are concerned we may not receive your entry forms in time.

If you are intending to race, can we ask you to either fax over your entry form or send by email. On this occasion, we are in a position to accept credit/debit card payment. Please call the office to arrange. Please note that a £1 admin charge is payable per transaction.

A set of both racing and technical regs, including Supplementary regs will be available on the website this week.

Awards Night

So far, we have 120 booked in for the awards evening at the gun club on the 14th. The maximum number is 150.

Please call Penny in the office to reserve your place(s). The deadline for final numbers is 6th November.

Again, we are able to take payment by credit card (due to the Royal Mail dispute). Please call the office to arrange.

Testing

Please note that on Saturday 14th, drivers will only be allowed to test the kart that they are racing on the Sunday.

Looking forward to seeing you all at Clay Pigeon

JV

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Easykart E Plate - Rules and Regs

Please find below links to the rule and regs for the Easykart E Plate

Cadet Regs

Cadet Supplementary Regs

Junior Regs

Junior Supplementary Regs

Senior Regs

Senior Supplementary Regs

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Easykart World Finals, Siena, Italy, 16/17/18 October

It would never work in England. A horse race in the centre of town. Admittedly, Liverpool comes close, with Aintree racecourse looking like it sits slap-bang in a Scouse housing estate - but you couldn’t imagine running a bunch of thoroughbreds round Trafalgar Square.

And yet every year Siena stages its ancient, bi-annual palio – a bareback horse race that dates back to the Middle Ages. The city’s seventeen districts - or contrade - are represented in the race by the horses and compete for nothing more than honour and a silk palio (banner).

It is fitting that the historic Tuscan city has been chosen to host this year’s Easykart World Finals. The pageantry will be of a decidedly 21st Century nature, and the contrade will give way to fifteen nations, but this weekend’s event at the Circuito di Siena will surely produce passion and emotions equal to the palio’s ancient rivalries.

By virtue of being the fastest-growing Easykart franchise in the World, the UK has been granted the opportunity to field its largest squad yet. Twenty drivers, five from each category (Cadet, Junior, Light and Heavy), will make the trip to the technical and demanding track at Castelnuovo Berardenga.

For the past two years, British drivers have performed well in the annual highlight of the Easykart calendar. In 2007, Barnaby Pittingale won the Heavy crown and was a trophy winner at last year’s race. Fellow seniors Terry Langley (Light) and Will Smith (Heavy) also returned home with cups, as did Jack Sales who returns to Italy this year as a senior.

Looking forward to the action Easykart UK promoter John Vigor said “This year we’re stronger, particularly in the senior classes. Barnaby knows how to win a World Final and several of the boys who competed last year will know what to expect and be even better prepared as a consequence.”

He added, “The Juniors will also be stronger after two seasons. (2009 champion) Patrick Lay has a very good chance, as has (runner-up) Brad Fairhurst. Both will be more experienced, confident and hungry to perform well at the highest level”.

Vigor sounded a note of caution over the Cadets’ chances, as this will be the inaugural year that British drivers in this class have taken part in the World Finals. He said “It’ll be really tough for them. It’s extremely competitive and is a very big grid. James DeHavillande and Will Stowell (first and second in this year’s UK championship) will have a great time and give a good account of themselves, as will all of our guys but I do think the Cadets face the steepest learning curve.”

Easykart UK’s runners and riders are:

Cadet
James DeHavillande
William Stowell
Ronan McKenzie
Jordan Sanders
Josh Grimston

Junior
Patrick Lay
Brad Fairhurst
Christopher Waldock
Thomas Grainger
Tiernay Oliver

Light
Terry Langley
Owen Jenman
Ben King
Adrian Crockett
Jack Sales

Heavy
Kieran McCullough
Barnaby Pittingale
William Smith
Tim Hill
Mark Lawrence

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October Easykart Allocation Sold Out!

October allocation sold out! Allocations for orders for Easykarts now being taken for the end of November delivery.

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Easykart 2010 Championship Dates

RD 1 - 27th/28th MARCH - ELLOUGH PARK Suffolk

RD 2 - 24th/25th APRIL - TEESSIDE AUTODROME Teesside

RD 3 - 22nd/23rd MAY - CLAY PIGEON Dorset

RD 4 - 12th/13th JUNE - LLANDOW South Wales

RD 5 - 17TH/18TH JULY - WHILTON MILL Northants

RD 6/7 - 20th/21st/22nd/ AUGUST - ROWRAH Cumbria

RD 8 - 18th/19th SEPTEMBER - FOREST EDGE Hampshire

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The Easykart 2009 Awards Presentation Evening

Dear valued Club Member

Thank you for your support this year for your contribution to what has been a successfull and fun season. I for one have enjoyed every round. Myself and Andy would like to finish the season off with us all getting together for an Awards Presentation Evening plus some entertainment.

Have a look at the download for full details - click here.

The venue can cater for a maximum 150 people and bookings for the evening will be taken on a first come first served basis. Cost per person is £20 which will include a 3 course carvery dinner, plus wine and water on your table.

Contact Penny or myself in the office to reserve your places. 01992 470002

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Ellough Round-up

Thrilling conclusion to season sees titles decided in finals

For those with a jaundiced opinion of motorsport at the present time, watching the final round of the Easykart championship will have done much to restore their faith. Fast, clean and fair racing without any sense of cheating provided a fitting conclusion to a nail-biting day for many drivers, several of whom were aiming to clinch titles, whilst others were bidding to finish inside the top five and secure a berth for October’s World Finals at Siena, in Italy.

As an entertaining preamble to Sunday’s racing, a wives and girlfriends race was staged on Saturday evening. Last year’s winner, Francesca Pittingale retained her crown with a superb drive worthy of her brother, Barnaby. Georgie Jenman gave spirited chase, after passing Jack Sales’ mum, Marion - who held on for third despite a late charge from Carolyn Pritchard. Each of the 20 laps produced shouts of encouragement from the spectators, with some exultations fruitier than others. The elder of the Pittingale siblings was heard to yell, “Fire ‘er off!” as Francesca encountered back-markers, his tongue firmly in cheek.

Having already sewn up the Cadet title at the previous meeting, James DeHavillande was sportingly allowed to carry the number one on his kart as this would be his only opportunity to do so before he graduates to the Junior category. Pushed hard throughout the eighteen laps, he deservedly took the victory to seal what has been a truly dominant season. William Stowell gave it his all and had to contend with attacking DeHavillande and defending from Ronan Mackenzie, who completed the podium. Although a latecomer to the championship, Harri Newey again showed that he will be a title-contender in 2010 with another strong performance, this time to fourth place. Little Green Man series runner-up, Hannah Pym enjoyed her Easykart debut and impressed with a fine seventh place after a race-long tussle with Josh Grimston.

The Junior title hung in the balance, between Patrick Lay and Brad Fairhurst and it was the former who stepped up to the plate to deliver a champion’s performance. Fastest in qualifying and winning the Pre and Main finals, the colour of his kart and racewear was appropriate; he was a bolt in blue. Fairhurst battled hard but this was not to be his day and he could do no better than finish fifth in both races. However, his consistency secured him the runner-up spot in the championship and a place on the grid in Italy. Christopher Waldock and Jae Ould took the second and third places, with fourth-placed Jack Mitchell earning a special award for his gritty and entertaining drive.

Having mathematically done enough to retain his Light title, Terry Langley opted to race and again demonstrated his quality by winning both finals with ease. Jack Sales earned himself the Driver of the Day award with an electrifying performance. Carving his way from the tenth row, Sales crossed the line in third. Owen Jenman finished second on the road and in the title race. Linda Playfair’s long-awaited return to racing was rewarded with an excellent sixth place on her Easykart debut. The serially ill-starred Adrian Crockett will have been a nervous onlooker. After coasting out of the race, he was forced to watch Sales’ drive through the field and must have wondered if Jack would accrue sufficient points to nick his fifth place in the championship. As it was, he held on by five points and is now Siena-bound.

Described by Club 100’s John Vigor as “probably the biggest race of the day”, the Heavy final really had gone down to the wire. Tim Hill had beaten title-protagonists Kieran McCullough and Barnaby Pittingale into second and third in the Pre Final but found McCullough in no mood to end his season in anything other than first place. Kieran’s relentless pressure and superior pace carried him past a fired-up ‘Sir Tim’ who would claim his second podium of the weekend. Celebrating his 23rd birthday, Will Smith demoted Pittingale to fourth spot on the road, to the cheers of a large contingent of his family and friends. His grandmother’s vociferous cries of “Come on Will!” could be heard from quite some distance… EG: Beccles. As he was shown the last lap board, Barnaby curiously threw his head back, eliciting either frustration that he could do no more to finish higher up the order, or gratitude that his torment was over. Urged on by his wife’s desire for him to qualify for the World Finals, Mark Lawrence made her very happy as he crossed the line in fifth and book his place for Siena. From rumours of her shopping plans, it may well be the most expensive fifth place ever. Not something Mark, a true Scotsman, may relish.

In all, this was a superb advertisement for karting. Great camaraderie and sportsmanship is a feature of the series but was particularly evident at Ellough. The circuit itself was a great venue for the crucial last round and as ever, produced exciting and close racing. With new additions to the Easykart calendar, such as the E-Plate in November, Easykart UK is going from strength to strength.

RESULTS

Wives and Girlfriends: 1 Francesca Pittingale; 2 Georgie Jenman; Marion Sales

Cadet: Final: 1 James DeHavillande 18 laps in 14m40.06s (48.04mph); 2 William Stowell +0.19s; 3 Ronan McKenzie; 4 Harri Newey; 5 Jordan Sanders; 6 Josh Grimston. Fastest lap: William Stowell 48.55. Pole position: James DeHavillande. Starters: 12

Junior: Final: 1 Patrick Lay 20 laps in 14m52.08s (52.66mph); 2 Christopher Waldock +4.13s; 3 Jae Ould; 4 Jack Mitchell; 5 Brad Fairhurst; 6 Thomas Grainger. Fastest lap: Patrick Lay 44.20s. Pole position: Patrick Lay. Starters: 18

Light: 1 Terry Langley 25 laps in 17m58.38s (54.46mph); 2 Owen Jenman +5.41s; 3 Jack Sales; 4 Sam, Massey; 5 Ben King; 6 Linda Playfair. Fastest Lap: Terry Langley 42.80s. Pole position: Terry Langley. Starters: 26

Heavy: 1 Kieran McCullough 25 laps in 18m20.65s (53.35mph); 2 Tim Hill +0.96s; William Smith; 4 Barnaby Pittingale; 5 Mark Lawrence; 6 Lewis Shelley. Fastest lap: Kieran McCullough 46.64s. Pole position: Tim Hill. Starters: 28

Karting Magazine Driver of the Day: Jack Sales

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E Plate Entry Forms Available Online

The E Plate is to take place at Clay Pigeon, Dorset on the 15th November 2009.
This event is open to all Easykart Classes. The winners of each class will display the coveted 'E' Plate on thier kart for the 2010 Championships.

Cadet

Junior

Senior

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Ellough Park - Round 8 - Preview

Pedal to the medal – Easykart title battles conclude this weekend

Suffolk is nothing like the KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, but don’t let that put you off. This coming weekend (19/20 September), Ellough Park will stage the final round of the Easykart Championship and will see a decisive clash for victory in two, if not three, of the four classes.

Rumour has it that local boy Will Smith is planning to add to his home advantage by gathering an entire army of family members to cheer him on. Whether or not they will be dressed as Impi warriors is unconfirmed, although it would be fun. From mid-season, the early series leader began to lose ground to his two principal rivals – Barnaby Pittingale and Kieran McCullough – but has to be fancied to go well on his home circuit. 4,000 Smiths descending on Ellough could well do the trick - but even so, even they’d need to go some to put the wind up Pittingale and McCullough. Arguably it is the pair, the Bromhead and Chard of Heavy, who are in command, although Kieran might well be the driver with reason to be the most optimistic. His three victories so far this season have seen him close the gap to Barnaby [on dropped rounds] to just three points. However, the former UK and World Finals champion will draw on his vast experience, and won’t stop trying until the chequered flag falls. It will be a humdinger for sure.

Reigning Light champion, Terry Langley has one hand on the trophy and it would be a brave, or daft, bookie that would take a bet on the cool Midlander not retaining his title. His nearest challenger, Owen Jenman will surely drive the wheels off his kart as he attempts to wrest the silverware from Langley’s grasp. Sam Massey’s late run of form might prove to be a distraction. The former TKM star has leap-frogged Adrian Crockett into the top three and is now breathing down Jenman’s neck. Adrian will be aiming to erase the bad memory of last year’s visit to the Beccles track, when his motor failed whilst he was leading by a country mile. The winner that time was Steve Youle who, on slicks on a wet track, triumphed in fine style - given that the Ellough weather is more changeable than Gordon Brown, he could well stand a chance.

Who will be crowned this year’s Junior champion also looks likely to be a straight fight between Patrick Lay and Brad Fairhurst. After chasing each other round the length and breadth of the country, it is testimony to the incredible closeness between the drivers themselves and their machinery that after dropped scores, just six points separate them. Currently in third place overall, Christopher Waldock’s chances are far from over and he may yet another victory to the brace he scored earlier in the year. William Lampitt, Thomas Grainger and Tiernay Oliver all pipped him in round six at Rowrah and given that Ellough produces great racing, predicting the podium is far from easy.

Despite having sealed the Cadet title at Rowrah, and therefore his ticket to the World Finals at Siena in October, who will join James DeHavillande in Tuscany has yet to be decided. William Stowell and Ronan Mackenzie look like the favourites, but late-comer Harri Newey has been something of a revelation and arguably deserves consideration for his performances alone. Sam Faulkner claimed his first trophy of the season in round seven, thanks to his impressive pace but his lack of race experience might hobble his chances of a repeat performance this weekend. Keep an eye out for Jordan Sanders and Aaron Oakes also. They have been locked together all season and both could well spring a late surprise on the front three.

Practice gets underway on Saturday from 11am through until 5pm, with Sunday’s action commencing from 10am – all at Ellough Park Raceway, Benacre Road, Beccles.

If you’re considering making the swap from your current category or starting kart racing, Sunday’s event is a great way to meet the drivers and talk to them about what they enjoy about the category, or for more information about Easykart go to www.easykart.co.uk.

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Easykart "Its the future !"

It is if the order book for new Easykarts is anything to go by!

2009 has been a truimph for Easykart UK despite the recession we have seen Easykart UK grow by 25%. 2010 looks to be very exciting with more and more new drivers starting Easykart.

Easykart UK boss Andy Cox explains " The F1 effect of Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton has made a real difference we have seen a lot of new drivers come from corporate indoor/outdoor karting, Easykart delivers a straight forward no nonense kart, and if you can drive you can be on the pace straightaway"

" We have also seen some migration of drivers from other catagories simply because EasyKart is more cost effective and the extra track time gives more value for money. Of course in 2009, like the rest of the World some drivers have had their employment and financial circumstances change and we did see some used Easykarts come up for sale, the positive is that they have been selling like hot cakes, as soon as one came up for sale it was sold !"

New stock of Easykarts are due in the beggining of October and another consignment in the end of November. We are currently taking deposits for order allocations for the October consignment, many new owners are trying to get a kart in time to contest the E plate at Clay Pigeon on the 15th November.

If you are thinking of joining Easykart to avoid disapointment its better to allocate and specify your order date with a deposit - we want to make sure your prepared and on the grid in time for 2010. With VAT set to go back up in December to 17.5% if you order a kart now you will save 2.5% as the VAT will be charged at the current 15% rate.

For more information or to place an order call the ACR office: 01527 889595

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Provisional Dates for Winter Racing with Easykart

Sunday 15th November
'E' Plate
Clay Pigeon, Dorset
This event is open to all Easykart Classes. The winners of each class will display the coveted 'E' Plate on thier kart for the 2010 Championships.

Sunday 21st February
Easykart Winter Warmer
Whilton Mill, Northants
This event is open to all Easykart Classes. The winners of each class will be awarded prizes sponsored by ACR and Club100.

We expect the permits for these events within the next 2 weeks. Once we have the permits, we will open registrations and bookings.

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Rowrah Round-up

The great Romantic poet William Wordsworth will be forever associated with the Lake District and whilst many of us would struggle to remember even just a line from arguably his finest poem, The Prelude, virtually everyone is familiar with his ode to daffodils.

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

But did you know that one of the most famous and widely read poems in the English language was actually written two years after he took a stroll round Ullswater, in a gale?

No.

That was the thing with the Romantics, for some reason they never quite came clean on how they were almost constantly getting drenched, having their hats blown off and consequently going about the countryside with mad lady’s hair.

Ask anyone who’s raced at Rowrah however and they’ll probably agree with my entirely made-up theory that Wordsworth was probably doing the PR for the Ullswater Tourist Board.

Weather of epic proportions deluged the Cumbrian circuit on Sunday, forcing the cancellation of the finals on safety grounds. Positions and trophies were awarded based on the drivers’ qualifying performances and as a result, two drivers were able to clinch their respective title before the season finale at Ellough in September.

Before the floods, Saturday was able to run as normal and again, Easykart + Rowrah = great racing.

In the Heavy final, Kieran McCullough underlined that he is now Barnaby Pittingale’s main challenger for this year’s when he added victory in the main final to his earlier, pre-final triumph. After finishing fourth in the first race, Pittingale came through to second to keep his championship lead and hopes of lifting the crown in Suffolk very much alive. Lewis Shelley sealed his first podium of 2009 with a superbly taken third place, whilst former points-leader Will Smith again endured a tough day. He DNF’d in the pre-final and was forced to come through from the back of the grid to salvage as many points as he could with an eventual seventh spot.

Chris Lamare has not raced for some time, but having bought Tim Hill’s old kart came out of retirement and showed that he’d lost little of the blistering pace that took him to the 2004 British ICA title. He shocked the established order with a classy win in the Light final, with Elliot Rice finally enjoying some luck worthy of his talent finishing second. Adrian Crockett scored valuable points for third to bolster his World Finals aspirations, with reigning champion and favourite to retain his title, Terry Langley finishing in fourth. Another former Super 1 racer, Linda Playfair also making the switch to Easy took a fine fifth on her debut.

Lamare then made it the completely perfect start to his Easykart career when he won the main final. Although Langley made him work hard for it, setting a new lap record as he harried Chris through every twist and turn. Rice’s turnaround in fortunes stayed with him as he took a comfortable, if somewhat lonely, third place, with Jack Sales also finishing well in fourth.

Series coordinator John Vigor was left raving about Patrick Lay’s performances in the Junior category. He said, “Patrick was outstanding. He was on fire in the pre-final and walked it by over twelve seconds. Rowrah’s his track, for sure.” Filling the runner-up berth was Thomas Grainger, who just pipped Brad Fairhurst and Christopher Waldock.

Although the gap was reduced in the final, Lay again stamped his authority on the proceedings with another dominant victory. Needing to keep Patrick in his sights if he is to stand a chance of winning the title, Brad saw off the challenge from Grainger and Tiernay Oliver to limit the damage to his points tally. Having dropped from second to eighth in just one lap, Waldock smashed his own 2008 lap record as he fought to get back on terms, taking a full second off the previous best time.

James DeHavillande’s march into the record books as the first Easykart UK Cadet champion had to be momentarily put on hold as William Stowell led him home in the pre-final. Behind them, Harrison Newey in only his second Easy cadet meeting again fizzed with potential, taking third and beating another exciting debutant, Sam Faulkner by some fifteen seconds.

In their second race of the day, Stowell held his advantage with DeHavillande shadowing him. Both were evenly matched and for seventeen laps, it was pure stalemate. On the final tour, knowing that, with his points advantage, he could afford to take a risk, James pulled out of Will’s slipstream and dived down his inside under braking for the bottom hairpin. Stowell tried to re-pass him on the exit, but couldn’t make the move stick and had to settle for second.

Harri Newey made it two podiums from two meetings in third, whilst Ronan McKenzie almost certainly secured his place for the World Finals with fourth.

If Saturday’s conditions had been ideal for racing, Sunday’s became the polar opposite. A weather front brought torrential rain off the Irish sea, with severe weather warnings announced for the afternoon. Indeed, by the time the finals were ready to run, the circuit had become undriveable prompting the MSA steward to abandon the meeting. It was then decided to award points and trophies based on the combined qualifying sessions.

Mark Lawrence was awarded the Heavy win, with Pittingale and McCullough again almost inseparable in second and third.

Sam Massey took his first ‘win’ of the season - and by doing so moved into third place in the table. Langley’s second-fastest time ensured that he netted the necessary points to virtually retain the title. He only needs to sign on and qualify at Ellough to guarantee that he is the first driver to secure back-to-back crowns in the UK series. Owen Jenman made up for something of a shocking weekend, by his standards, with a trophy for third.

Who will win the Junior’s number one plate will go down to the wire at Ellough. Fairhurst turned the tables on Lay with his quicker qualifying performance, but must win in Suffolk if he is snatch the title from his rival’s grasp. Waldock deserved a trophy for 3rd having been fast all weekend, whilst Grainger and Mitchell completed the top five.

James DeHavillande finally sealed the inaugural Cadet title by recording the fastest lap in the first session. Sam Faulkner, whose only previous karting experience had been at his local indoor track, coped with the wet conditions and astonished many onlookers with the next best time. Jordan Sanders took home the remaining available trophy and his first of the season also. Sam’s fellow debutant Ethan Pitt also completed a creditable debut, with the fifth quickest time showing that with time, he has front-running potential.

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Rowrah - Round 6/7 - Preview

Chariots Pants of fire in the Lakes?

Tall tales told over a few pints are part of the warp and weft of British life. Although at the Bridge Inn in Santon, the odd exaggeration of the truth or a mild fib is simply not enough - only outrageous, bare-faced lies will do.

If you want to win the World’s Biggest Liar Contest.

Previous winning whoppers have told how the Lake District was formed not by ice or volcanic activity – but by moles and eels. And the incredible story of how farmer John ‘Johnny Liar’ Graham caught a giant cod by lobbing a barrel of bitter at it.

Doubtless then, when the Easykart caravan arrives for its annual double-header at nearby Rowrah, there will be some excuses - and perhaps a few downright porky pies - told after a day at this most fabulous of circuits.

The track bends and drops, climbs and appears to follow the topography of the surrounding landscape. It is as unique to England as warm beer and Morris men, because no one else in Europe would think to put a kart circuit in a former quarry.

Even though he’ll be flat-out on the sidelines, Andy Cox – of Birel importers ACR – alludes to the magic of the Cumbrian venue, saying “I always look forward to Rowrah and love the Lake District, even if it rains!”

He adds, “It [Rowrah, not the Lake District] is physically demanding, as well as mentally draining for a driver. To get a good lap - and more importantly, consistent laps - is very difficult. For sure the new [track] surface will change some things, maybe even some of the racing lines, so it will be interesting”.

The battle for supremacy in the Heavy class is nicely balanced at the moment. Barnaby Pittingale currently has a 25 point margin, but it is Kieran McCullough who has matched his tally in the past two rounds, with 1st and 2nd-place finishes. Kieran remains third, but has closed in on early series leader William Smith, whose challenge in recent races has begun to wobble. However, Andy tips Brian Parias and ‘Flying Scotsman’ Mark Lawrence as two drivers who may yet step forward and add to the drama of this close-fought class.

Casting his expert eye over the Light class, Andy says that Owen Jenman, Jack Sales and Elliott Rice could threaten to take Rowrah’s two available wins from their rivals. Terry Langley will be doing his utmost to prove Cox wrong. The Championship leader has taken three victories this season, whilst Jenman has yet to finish higher than second. However, the latter goes well at Rowrah and must himself feel he is now due a turn on the top step of the podium.

Adrian Crockett will be eager to give his title chances a major boost. He lies third at present and will be a threat. Furthermore, don’t rule out Sam Massey, who is quietly building a strong case to be considered a ‘dark horse’ for a top three championship finish. The betting-minded of you might also find a punt on Steve Youle or Ben King offering very decent odds.

In the Junior category, Patrick Lay continues to lead the field ahead of Brad Fairhurst, but could well be looking over his shoulder at his closest rivals for the 2009 crown. Patrick has finished runner-up at the three rounds, whilst Brad won at Rye House in the last round. Christopher Waldock has also been in great form, the victor at Clay Pigeon and Teesside and is breathing down the necks of his fellow front-runners. Behind him, there is a gaggle of talented young drivers who are long overdue a maiden win. William Lampitt, Thomas Grainger, Tiernay Oliver and Dean Clayton look stronger with each race and at Rowrah their long wait could finally be over.

Looking at the Cadet class it is difficult to see if James DeHavilande can be knocked off his perch, so to speak. He has been exemplary, but as Cox points out, “there are a few drivers who have not reached their full potential for a race win, for one reason or another - Ronan McKenzie, Will Stowell and Harrison Thomas for example”. The double-race weekend presents these drivers with a vital opportunity to peg James’ lead. That said he could put the championship beyond doubt if he wins on Saturday and Sunday.

Andy concludes, “The great thing is that in Easykart, any number of people could win - the driver really does make the biggest difference not just the kart! Any one of the drivers we’ve talked about could win – and more besides.”

They all have a big incentive to do well, a possible place in the Easykart World Finals, which are being held this year at Siena in Tuscany in October (16/18). Andy says, “We’re finalising the details of who will be in the British team going out to the Easy World Finals. This year we will field 25 drivers because the UK is now the fastest growing Easykart franchise outside of Italy. At the beginning of September we will have all the details, and maybe a bit more idea of the expected runner and riders from Easykart UK.”

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Rye House Round-up

Weather fails to cloud magnificent action

There were Rye smiles all round after the Easykart fast show again produced a weekend of drama, shocks and new lap records on its annual visit to Hoddesdon (18/19 July).

In the Heavy category, Barnaby Pittingale suffered a surprise DNF in the pre-final and was forced to watch his closest title rivals – Kieran McCullough and Will Smith cruise to first and second respectively ahead of Glen Beard.

But Pittingale and Rye House go together like MPs and expenses and he produced a scintillating drive in the main final to rocket his way from 22nd on the grid to an 2nd at the finish. It was a phenomenal performance and maintained his championship points lead. McCullough however, remained untroubled and took his second victory of the season. Tellingly, he has only been off the podium of a main final just once and is beginning – akin to Red Bull in F1 – to look increasingly like a stronger threat to Pittingale than Smith. Similar to Barnaby in the pre-final, Will lasted just a handful of laps and was forced to join the spectators in the main race.

‘Sir’ Tim Hill enjoyed his best result of the year with a fine third place. This came off the back of his earlier eighth spot finish in the pre-final and he has now moved to fourth overall in the title race. Lewis Shelley set a new lap record as he came through from the midfield to a deserved fifth place.

Terry Langley got his Light title defence back on track with a dominant performance. Having got the jump on pole sitter, Owen Jenman, Terry was largely untroubled as he powered to the chequered flag. Behind him, Jenman had been demoted to fourth, as Adrian Crockett and Sam Massey went with Langley at the start. The latter two swapped places on lap 14 and from there remained locked in stalemate. Jenman tracked them but was unable to find the opening he needed and had to settle for the fourth spot.

Newcomer Alex Kapadia had qualified on the sixth row for the pre-final and made places up during the ensuing race. He maintained his eighth place in the main final and was sportingly applauded for his strong debut. In contrast, double winner at Teesside, Oliver Scullion had a far tougher time on his return to the Hertfordshire track - crossing the finishing line in the midfield after a non-finish in the pre-final necessitated a character-building charge from the back.

Junior title protagonist Brad Fairhurst did his aspirations a world of good when he returned to the top step of the podium with a commanding victory over Patrick Lay. Lay had started from pole but had immediately become embroiled in a battle for the lead with Fairhurst. William Lampitt had shadowed the pair of them and in the move that saw Brad decisively wrest the lead from Patrick, William had followed through into second place.

Fairhurst got his head down and began to pull away, opening an impressive nine seconds plus gap by the finish, whilst on lap twelve, Lay re-passed Lampitt to limit the damage Fairhurst’s triumph would inflict on his championship points tally. Almost within sight of the chequered flag, with just three laps to go, William was caught and passed by Thomas Grainger and Christopher Waldock. Christopher will surely have been especially relieved to have snatched the extra points to maintain the pressure on Fairhurst and Lay.

It is a mark of James DeHavilande’s talent and his team’s preparation that his worst finish so far, was third place at Llandow. Since then he has won every final – an astonishing record – and on the evidence of his Rye House performance, it appears he has no intention of stopping.

As ever, William Stowell and Ronan McKenzie gave chase in the pre-final but it was Cadet debutant Harrison Newey who impressed with a stellar drive to take second place in the main final and demote them to third and fourth respectively.

James’ delight at winning will have been further heightened knowing that Harrison’s feat had also taken points from his nearest rivals, which could yet prove to be decisive in the remaining three rounds of the season.

Fellow Cadet newbie Jake Bone also gave a good account of himself and will surely now be looking to build on his solid arrival in the series.

A full report will follow shortly. If you have any news snippets or stories from the weekend you’d like to see mentioned, then please don’t hesitate to drop Adam an e-mail to onehundredpr@yahoo.co.uk

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Rye House - Round 5 - Preview

Rye gets ready to rock

One of the greatest musical accomplishments of the 1980s - if not ever - was AC/DC’s awesome (and I don’t use that word lightly) For Those About To Rock album.

From Angus Young’s spiky opening guitar notes on the eponymous opening track, the drama and tension builds before Brian Johnson’s scream unleashes the thundering majesty of one of heavy rock’s finest moments.

And don’t think that this was simply an excuse for kids high on denim and patchouli oil to release clouds of dandruff as they head-banged to the song. The central lyric is based on the ancient gladiatorial salute, ‘Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant’ - or ‘Hail Caesar, we who are about to die, salute you,’ to you and me.

Just as Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain is synonymous with Grand Prix, perhaps FTATR should be adopted as the official anthem for Easykart’s annual visit to its second spiritual home, Rye House (Whilton Mill being the other).

In the twelve months plus since the series last visited the legendary Hertfordshire track, Rick Musk and his MSW team have continued regenerating the venue at a rate that would put the London Olympic Committee to shame.

Although not quite finished, drivers will be greeted by an incredible new Race Control tower – “the biggest one in karting history” says series promoter John Vigor, in his usual understated manner.

There are new marshal posts (complete with pretty plant pots) and the dreaded grass run-off areas – AKA water-logged peat bogs to those unfortunate to have experienced them in the past – have now been replaced with paved areas complete with modern drainage.

However, the classic circuit remains unchanged. As John says, “the track is the track is the track.” For those who saw the BBC’s karting feature, as part of the build-up to the German Grand Prix, they will be familiar with the big grin David Coulthard sported as he reflected on his return to the circuit where he, Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton et al all competed during their formative careers.

The combination of fast and slow corners, short squirts and long, fast straights still make this one of the great circuits - despite its comparatively short lap compared to newer tracks on the calendar. However, the excitement factor remains one of the highest. Rye invariably produces fast, close and thrilling racing.

Can anyone halt James DeHavilande’s march to the title? Ronan McKenzie and William Stowell are doing their level best to not let James run away with the championship and the nature of the circuit could keep the racing close. If the pack is close in terms of lap times, then the two hairpins will in theory, help to keep the field tightly bunched. With that in mind, Harrison Thomas, Aaron Oakes and Josh Grimston are each due a good result. Perhaps this Sunday will see them get it?

In Juniors, Patrick Lay leads the chase but, like Jenson Button, is coming under increasing pressure from the Easykart equivalent of Red Bull - Christopher Waldock, who has won the last two rounds and Brad Fairhurst, victor in round two. Similarly to the Cadets, the lead three Junior drivers are under fire from a gaggle of talented drivers. Look out for the Jack Mitchell, Dean Clayton and Oliver Tiernay.

As the pack plunges into the flat-out first corner, Stadium Bend, and flicks through Reg’s Elbow before standing on the brakes for the first hairpin, there will be action and drama aplenty. These six lads will be in the thick of it, for sure.

Last year, Barnaby Pittingale used his encyclopedic knowledge of Rye House to take a strong Light class win over Ross Fretten and Steve Youle. This weekend, he will again be a favourite for victory – in the Heavy class. Since switching to the Heavy category, Pittingale has found a new and close challenge, not least from former series leader Will Smith. It is nip and tuck between the pair, but Kieran McCullough is fast closing. The latter has taken points from both Smith and Pittingale in the past two races and is now mounting a strong title challenge. He too knows Rye well and will certainly be a factor.

In fact, many of the former and existing Club 100 pilots will also fancy their chances. Facing another long schlep from Edinburgh is Mark Lawrence. The long tedious journey in his van surely gives him time to focus his mind and contemplate that wherever he races (bar Teesside) it’s a bloody long way to go not to get a result. He will be fast and was a trophy winner at Rye last year. As was, Brian Parias who is unusually struggling for results this season. Gritty and combative, he will be trying very hard to rectify matters on Sunday.

Who will win the Light final is virtually impossible to call. Oliver Scullion was in blistering form at Teesside and justly deserved his back-to-back pre and main final wins. With his confidence now sky high, he will surely be hustling at the front.

Adrian Crockett’s luck has eluded him on several occasions, but never his latent speed. He’s third in the title race and knows that a good performance will see him close the gap to Owen Jenman and Terry Langley.

Reigning champion Langley had a rash of misfortune in the North East in June and his rivals may be guilty of quietly hoping it continues. Langley was stranded in the midfield at Teesside after coming through from the back. This will have been an encouraging sign that he is human after all.

Making the most of that situation was Owen Jenman. Not quite fast enough to attack Scullion’s lead in both races last month, Owen wisely opted to settle for second and take fourteen points out of Langley’s lead. Now, just four points shy of the taking the advantage, he will be pumped up to take his first win of the season.

Again the series has attracted newcomers, and of them Alex Kapadia represents a particularly interesting addition. An experienced karter, Alex is now more regularly seen behind the wheel of a Radical and recently won a double-header at Spa. He can also boast Lewis Hamilton as a former sparring partner when he raced in Formula Renault and is rated by John Vigor and his team as “a bit handy.”

Practice is Saturday from 11am through until 5pm, with Sunday’s action commencing from 10am – all at Rye House Kart Raceway, Rye Road, Hoddesdon.

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Teeside Round-up

The series’ maiden visit to “the Jesolo of the North” - Teesside Autodrome in Middlesborough - produced drama, shocks and fresh winners to open the Championship wide in several categories.

Oliver Scullion was in blistering form in the Light category, taking his first win in the series from the increasingly consistent Owen Jenman. Another man scoring a first was Ben Yeomans, who pipped a resurgent Elliott Rice in qualifying to record his first ever Easykart pole position. Unfortunately, both Ben and Elliott suffered bad luck in the pre and main finals respectively to put paid to their chances of glory. Reigning champion Terry Langley endured a fraught weekend, and could only finish in the mid-field - having had to fight his way from the back of the grid in the main final. Ben King rounded out the top trio with his first podium - and was a contender for the Driver of the Day award, which eventually went to Scullion by virtue of his breakthrough victories.

Heavy class points leader, Will Smith suffered two punctures in both qualifying sessions to start from the back of the pre-final and carved his way up to 5th. In the main final, he went two places better, but had no further answer to an in-form Barnaby Pittingale. Despite giving away a weight disadvantage to his nearest rivals, the ‘maximum attack’ nature of the track suited his style to a T and he aced qualifying and the two finals, to put a few points daylight between himself and Will. Like a magpie, Kieran McCullough was never far away from the glittering prizes. Runner-up to Barnaby in both races, he too profited from Smith’s to edge closer in the title chase. Special mention should be made to Smith’s performance however. He demonstrated a phenomenal turn of speed and character to charge through the pre-final order to finish fifth – passing 21 karts in just 15 laps. In the main race, he had to give best to Pittingale and McCullough, but remained all smiles nonetheless.

Christopher Waldock took a popular Junior victory from Patrick Lay, and must have let out a huge sigh of relief at the sight of the chequered flag. Christopher had led from the start, but was accompanied through every single one of Teesside’s rollercoaster twists and turns by Patrick. With four laps remaining, Patrick unleashed his bid for the victory and took the lead. His new-found advantage would last just two laps, as Waldock reclaimed the lead on the penultimate tour and held it to the finish. Jack Mitchell led home the chasing pack.

For his rivals, the James DeHavilande steam-roller shows no sign of easing up it’s stranglehold on the ` class. However, Ronan McKenzie did step up to the plate as the driver most likely to stop James from waltzing off into the distance, when he popped in a pole position-winning time - just a tenth faster. William Stowell and Ryan Anderton weren’t far off the front pair’s pace, signifying that the field is closing up with every round.

Not always the fastest driver in race trim, James is arguably the most consistent. Having held his lead into the first corner, he ensured that Ronan couldn’t use his better pace to it’s full advantage in the pre-final.

The main final initially became a nail-biting thriller. DeHavilande and McKenzie led with Anderton and Stowell in close pursuit. For the entire duration, the quartet ran in formation, waiting for each to make the first error. It came on lap 11, when Ryan slipped past William. Desperate to prise the trophy from his rival’s grasp, Stowell fought back and two laps later was back into 3rd. Similarly, Ronan relentlessly pushed and probed for a way past James, but was ultimately forced to accept that this wasn’t to be his day. His second place however keeps the pressure on James, with all still very much to play for.

Throughout the weekend, the buzz in the paddock was that the addition of Teesside to the calendar was a stroke of genius. The circuit is fantastic. Arguably one of the physically toughest in the UK to drive, it is also one of the most rewarding.

Bob Pope is known to many old school Club 100 drivers and those on the endurance racing scene, but for many this was their first experience of the sort of operation he runs. A great bear of a man, he nonetheless ensured a warm welcome and showed a real commitment to making sure that everyone had a great time.

His café literally catered for all tastes – from classic burgers ‘n’ chips to freshly made Spag’ Bol’ and chicken wraps - and very well too. It even served beer and the loos were amongst (if not the) cleanest in the whole of domestic karting. For readers of the ‘Round the Bend’ column in Karting Magazine, you’ll know why this is dear to the Heavy class’ Adam Jones’ heart…

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Clay Pigeon review and Teesside preview

The much vaunted ‘barbecue summer’ arrived in time for round three of the series and created perfect conditions for racing. Whilst the sausages sizzled on the grill, so did the drivers as they waited on the dummy grid in temperatures reaching the high twenties.

Three drivers took maiden Easykart victories to make sure that the current championship leaders would not enjoy Jenson Button-esque romps into the distance.

Adrian Crockett won a thrilling Light encounter and justifiably received warm and loud applause as he jumped onto the top step of the podium for the first time. Terry Langley maintained his points advantage with second place, whilst Owen Jenman did his title aspirations no harm with third. Sam Dimlow has shown a terrific turn of speed in race trim but his results have – unfairly - not reflected this. At Clay, he finally put that right with a strong run to fourth.

Tipped by John Vigor for the win beforehand, Patrick Lay narrowly missed out on fulfilling the Easykart promoter’s prediction by just three tenths of a second. Christopher Waldock emerged victorious and broke his Junior duck having taken the lead from Patrick on lap six and holding off his rival’s challenge for the remaining thirteen laps.

Thomas Grainger also took away his first Easykart trophy, narrowly pipping William Davison for the last remaining podium place.

Kieran McCullough came through from P7 on the grid for the Heavy A final to beat championship leaders William Smith and Barnaby Pittingale. Richard Friend remained all smiles despite finishing fourth after taking third in the pre-final. In the battle between the Karting magazine journalists, George Robinson humiliated Adam Jones, with the former making his Easykart debut and enjoying himself enormously.

In the Cadets, no one had an answer for James DeHavilande who increased his points lead over his nearest rivals with a crushing demonstration of his talent throughout the meeting. Ryan Anderton overcame a poor finish in the pre-final to take second from the improving Aaron Oakes. William Stowell’s fourth place was enough to maintain his second place in the points table, whilst Ronan McKenzie remains tied with him in the table by virtue of his fifth place.

The series now makes its first trip to the North East this weekend (13/14 June), to the Teesside Autodrome – one of the country’s fastest circuits. A chat with owner, Bob Pope rather suggests that the track could have been designed by Mr. T and that we’re going to meet his friend Pain. As a former Para’ himself and therefore a proper tough guy, Bob says that we can expect an incredibly fast lap with “corners that go on forever”. In fact, South Bend, is a 250 metre long monster that lasts over five seconds from entry to exit. Two corners are taken flat-out and one is banked.

He also revealed that the local club has had to reduce the length of the heats and finals – to just 8 and 12 respectively - because of the physical toll the circuit takes on the drivers. He chuckles as he says that a 25-lap final really will be a Darwinian case of ‘the survival of the fittest’. Time to hit the gym, then.

However, Bob promises the thrill of “a faster average speed than anywhere else in the country and a lot of fun”. The corners are also not just eye-wateringly fast but technical too. The man - who with Martin Howell of Playscape fame practically invented indoor karting - also gave some very interesting set-up advice. The circuit tends not to favour new tyres. Rotax drivers have commented that one to two-meeting old rubber tends to work better than a fresh set of boots.

Thankfully, the circuit also has a well-stocked bar which some us will certainly need for ‘medicinal purposes’ to take the pain away, or as a vantage point from which to watch the gym bunnies fight it out whilst tenderly patting one’s middle age spread and ‘preparing’ for the relative ease of Rye House.

Practice gets underway from 11:40 on Saturday.

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Round 3 Preview

Round three of the Easykart UK series heads to the West Country to the glorious Clay Pigeon circuit this weekend (30/31 May) - the venue where the F1 World Championship leader Jenson Button started his career.

Legend has it that he won on his debut, and there’s a whole host of competitors who will be eager to use Button’s past and present success to inspire them to their first wins at one of the most popular tracks on the Easykart UK calendar.

Easykart UK’s John Vigor is tipping Kieran McCullough to take his maiden victory in the Heavy category, although current table-topper Will Smith would surely beg to differ. Smith has been in scintillating form, and was the class of the field at the previous round at Llandow so his confidence will be sky high.

The opening round winner Barnaby Pittingale remains a significant threat. The Londoner is always fast and exciting to watch round the twists and turns of the Dorset track.

Don’t rule out the likes of Brian Parias, (who won there last year), the ever-competitive Mark Lawrence, Adrian Ricardo Batty and Richard Friend, who is really beginning to find his Easykart mojo.

Warming to his new role as a pundit, Vigor also tipped guest driver George Robinson to “slaughter” Karting Magazine columnist and Easykart’s resident reporter, Adam Jones. Sadly, I agree…

A special welcome to the Heavy class and series is extended to Oliver Stoner. Having bought reigning champion Oli George’s kart, he will be revved up for his debut and has proven kit under him. It will be great to see how he fares against the regulars.

Last season, Clay was the turning point in Terry Langley’s bid for the Light title. He won and went on to finish no lower than third in the remaining five rounds to seal the Championship.

For his rivals, it looks very much like business as usual. The phrase “untouchable” is regularly used - and for good reason. However, a resurgent Owen Jenman and Steve Youle will figure in the reckoning come race day. One of the most stylish figures on track and in the paddock, Sam Massey has impressed with his pace and is building towards a very good result, so don’t rule him out. Sam Smithson must believe that he’s due a change in fortunes. He was Langley’s closest rival for the 2008 title but has had a luckless start to his 2009 campaign. That might well change this weekend.

The Junior class may well be a little more open this weekend. Series leader Brad Fairhurst took the main final spoils in Wales, but it was William Lampitt who beat him handsomely in the pre-final. Tiernay Oliver was second in both races and must be fancied for a long-overdue win.

Another ‘one to watch’ is Patrick Lay. He is a consistently strong driver, and having won both finals at Whilton Mill in March is on equal points with Fairhurst.

Every time he races, AJ Morris appears to be making a step forward and the ever-cheerful Sussex lad is just one of a gaggle of drivers who could step up onto the podium. Connor Hambleton will sadly be absent due to an injury, and all at Easykart UK wish him a speedy recovery.

The Cadets have attracted another new entrant, in the shape of novice racer Jake Bone. Rumour has it that during his ARKS test, Jake was very impressive indeed. Keep an eye on his progress on the results page.

James DeHavillande takes a five point advantage with him to Clay, but didn’t have it all his own way at the previous round. His ability kept him in the hunt for trophies but he didn’t quite look like the dominant character seen at Whilton.

Similarly, Ronan McKenzie shadowed his every move in Northamptonshire, but battled for every single point at Llandow - Ryan Anderton and William Stowell were the stars of the show however. The pair dominated the event, and it will be fascinating to see if this quartet can deliver a great show to the spectators on Sunday.

For those of a betting persuasion, a flutter on Josh Grimston might return good odds. Having taken fourth and fifth in the earlier rounds, this tidy little driver is an increasing danger to the top three’s supremacy.

The action starts from 10am at Clay Pigeon Raceway, Wardon Hill, between Dorchester and Yeovil.

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Chassis set up for Clay Pigeon Rd 3

Clay is a fast sweeping circuit where smoothness and a well balanced kart is key. Overtaking usually takes place at the hairpin after the chicane, inside of the entry to the horse shoe middle bend or for the very brave round the outside at the famous Billy's blind at the end of the main straight. RPM is normally lower at clay than anywhere else so don't expect high RPM with the designated sprockets for this race.

So everyone has a starting point for set up ACR recommend:

Cadet: Front wheel spacer 15mm, rear hubs fixed up to the circlip on the end of the axle. Tyre pressure 16psi. Rpm should be around 11600 rpm to 12000 rpm. Carburetor starting point: Main jet 74 jet Low jet 45mins.

Junior: Front wheel spacer 20mm, rear track 139cms. Tyre pressure 10 psi. Rpm should be around 13700 rpm to 14500 rpm. Carburettor starting point Main jet 83 low jet 1hr 10 mins

Senior : Front wheel spacer 25mm, Rear track 139cms, third bearing loose, Tyre pressure 10 psi: RPM should be around 14400rpm to 15000 rpm. Carburettor starting point : Main Jet 87 Low jet 55 mins.

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Easykart UK Championship,
Round 2: Llandow, Wales

2007 World Finals winner, Barnaby Pittingale was full of praise for his Heavy class rival, William Smith, after the latter sealed his maiden pole position in the series. The Suffolk driver then converted his advantage into a brace of dominant wins to put himself level on points with first round victor Pittingale in the Championship.

Cadet debutant, Ryan Anderton also took double victories - with William Stowell celebrating his tenth birthday with two fine runner-up finishes. James DeHavillande maintained his Championship points lead by completing the podium in both finals.

The Junior class was marred by a protest which didn’t affect the top positions. William Lampitt won the wet pre-final, but Brad Fairhurst - who had raced on slicks in that encounter - put in a storming drive to win the dry main race.

Terry Langley dominated the Light category, and already looks like a safe bet to retain his title. Sam Smithson – 2nd in the pre-final – went for a do-or-die lunge on the last corner of the last lap for 2nd, got it wrong and almost took out Owen Jenman, who ruggedly held on to take his first trophy of the season. Smithson recovered to take the chequered in 8th place.

Whilst many drivers suffered mixed fortunes, few could have endured a tougher weekend in Wales than Kieran McAleer. The Irishman struggled to get his motor to fire almost entirely on Saturday. With just a few minutes of the last session of the day, he finally managed to get out on track.

On race day, his fortunes improved marginally and he must have taken some comfort from a feisty Light B pre-final triumph. His luck evaporated again in the main final though, whilst Joe Jackson put in a faultless performance to win the B group trophy.

A full report will follow shortly. A brief update will also be in this week’s Motorsport News

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Round 2 - Preview

Time was when a ‘warm welcome to Wales’ meant the local nutters were burning your holiday cottage down. Nowadays, it means sunshine and John Vigor’s beaming smile when you sign on in race control.

After last year’s hugely successful visit to the Glamorgan circuit, Llandow has rightfully kept its place on the Easykart calendar.

Senior Light

Sam Smithson pipped Terry Langley in the Senior Light category at the Welsh venue last season to keep his title hopes alive, and take the Championship down to the wire at the season finale at Whilton Mill.

In a neat, ironic twist we return to Llandow after first visiting the Northamptonshire track - and it is reigning champion Langley who will clearly want to build on his first round win, whilst Smithson will be looking for a return to form after having a nightmare (by his standards) at Whilton. If both are able to run at the front, then surely they’ll find their rear bumpers crowded by a multitude of drivers – not least, Rice, newcomer Oliver Scullion, the impressive Alex Vincent and, of course, Adrian Crockett.

Look out for Sam Dimlow too. The former TKM ‘bandit’ was hugely impressive at Whilton, but was unfortunately excluded for being marginally underweight. With a bit of lead on his kart - or a few big dinners inside him - he has to be considered as a potential race winner come Sunday.

Junior

In 2008, the private Junior class battle between Elliott Rice and Jack Sales was resolved at Llandow when the former went for the points - and the first Easykart Junior crown - rather than risk a collision going for the top step of the podium. With both now in the Seniors, they’ll be looking to upset their older rivals’ party and settle another round of their ongoing friendly rivalry.

Connor Hambleton drove well there last year and will be a favourite for honours on Sunday, but keep an eye out for the consistently quick Patrick Lay, Brad Fairhurst and Christopher Waldock. All will surely be on the pace - and if one of the possible April showers falls during the race, who knows what will happen? According to his Easykart Forum comments, the appropriately named William Hill is gambling on it.

Cadet

Harrison Thomas will be the sole Welsh competitor at Llandow. On his travels elsewhere in the Championship, he may well be aware of ‘hiraeth’ – effectively a longing for home – and racing on home soil must be inspiring for him and worth at least a couple of extra tenths. Third in the Cadet final at Whilton, expect the lad from Merthyr to produce a little Welsh wizadry.

If he is to succeed, then he’ll have to overcome two class acts, first round winner and runner-up, James DeHavillande and Ronan McKenzie. The pair were inseparable at Whilton and provided great entertainment for the spectators.

Unfortunately, it looks likely to be another small grid for the Cadets - but as my old friend Harry Nuttall was fond of saying, ‘it may be small but it’s beautifully presented’. And he also used to promise his lady friends, ‘it will grow, trust me.’

Heavy Senior

It would take a very brave man to bet against Barnaby Pittingale repeating his first round win - but the ever-improving Will Smith deserves a punt. Whereas the 2007 World Finals victor is one of the most flamboyant drivers you’ll ever have the pleasure of watching (or competing against), Will is his very antithesis. The quiet Suffolk man is oh-so smooth, with a style reminiscent of a Prost or Button to Pittingale’s Villeneuve.

The ever popular Tim Hill enjoyed his best Easykart result to date at the Whilton opener and will want to prove that it was no flash in the pan. Similarly, Mark Lawrence, Glen Beard and, of course, Brian Parias are quick, committed and tough racers. Parias had a nightmare at Whilton, whilst the former pair had strong runs into the top six places. All will be in the mix.

On a sad note, it appears that budgetary constraints appear to have (hopefully temporarily) deprived us of Oli George being around to defend his title. If that’s the case, we wish him a speedy return.

And finally, as a note of caution to any rugby fans wishing to engage the locals on the subject of drinking and singing, I warn you now. The English like to sing the wonderful Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Bafflingly, the Welsh have, or Little Saucepan. In the interests of true Anglo-Welsh relations, I give you the lyrics – in English, followed by a not entirely correct phonetic spelling of the Welsh. Altogether now…

My sweet Mary Ann's hurt her finger,
My beese Mary Ann wed-dee bree'oo-oh,

And David the servant's feeling weak,
An Dahv-ith uh gwas thim un yach.

And the baby's crying now in its cradle,
My-ur bah-bahn un uh creed un cree-oh,

The cat's scratching Johnny on the cheek,
Ahr gath wed-dee crahv-ee John-ny
bach.

Sospan fach is boiling on the fire,
Sos-pan vach un bare-we ar uh tahn,

Sospan fawr boils over on the floor,
Sos-pan vow'r un bare-we a uh llauer,

The cat's scratching Johnny on the cheek.
Ahr gath wed-dee crahv-ee John-ny
bach.

David's a soldier,
Die bach uh soul-joor,

David's a soldier, Die bach uh soul-joor,
David's a soldier Dic bach uh soul-joor

His shirt-tail's hanging out.
Ah choot-ee greese eh mahs.

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Easykart 2009 Season Preview

Excited? You should be. With just a few days before the start of the new season, tension is mounting at Easykart UK’s headquarters as we count down to the first race.

With over 100 entries, grids are certainly looking healthy despite the financial situation. And as the drivers sneak in some last minute practice before Sunday (15 March), it looks harder to predict who will emerge on top at the end of the season.

Andy (Cox, of ACR) and John Vigor (of Club 100) will be delighted to see a historic grid of Cadets form at the Northamptonshire circuit. Albeit a small one, the field represents an exciting new addition to the Easykart family and is the result of months of hard work and careful liaison with the MSA. With the current economic situation, the Cadet class will surely quickly expand once the word is out.

Twenty two drivers but with a single thought: to become the Junior champion. Each faces a tough challenge in a field not short on experience or talent this year. With last season’s winner and runner-up - Elliot Rice and Jack Sales - graduating to the Senior class for 2009, there is a raft of drivers capable of taking wins. Whether or not one can assert themselves over their rivals on a regular basis, we will have to wait and see. But that’s the exciting part.

Only Barnaby Pittingale appears to be the clear bookies favourite to wrest Oli George’s crown from him this year. The Londoner has been rapid in testing, despite bringing some pre-season ‘success ballast’ into his switch to the Heavy class. Brian Parias and Kieran McCullough will also fancy their chances. Not least McCullough, who found a rich vein of form in the latter part of last year’s championship.

Terry Langley is back to defend his Light title but will surely be pressed hard by a strong field consisting of some of the most talented drivers seen since Easykart’s arrival here in 2007. I believe six drivers will have a real shot at the title. But to see who’s got the best chance, you’ll have to go to Whilton.

Roll on Sunday!

If you’re considering making the swap from your current category or starting kart racing, Sunday’s event is a great way to meet the drivers and talk to them about what they enjoy about Easykart and get advice and information from the UK importer, Andy Cox and series promoter, John Vigor .

The action starts from 10:00am at Whilton Mill, near Daventry.

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Latest Technical Bulletins

Technical Bulletin - 22 - SPROCKET SIZES : Whilton Mill

Technical Bulletin - 23 - Brake Pads

Technical Bulletin - 24 - Brake Disc protectors

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Tyres Order Form

Please find the TYRE order form attached for RD 1 Whilton Mill 14TH /15TH MARCH 2009

click here to download the order form

DO NOT USE THIS FORM TO ORDER SPARE PARTS !

Payment for these tyres will be taken from submitted forms on WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH 2009. Paid/ pre ordered race tyres will be distributed from Saturday at Whilton Mill at 12.00 noon and for those not collected on Saturday from 8.00 am on Sunday.

If you do not order tyres via this form please be aware that although a limited surplus stock will be on board we cannot guarantee tyre supply at the circuit.

ACR will have all major parts on the day, but if you require a specific part please call the ACR office 01527 889595 where we will be happy to help you with your requirements.

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Disc protectors in stock now

2009 MSA technical regulations require a chassis disc protector to be fitted if the brake disc falls below the line of the chassis. In Easykart the Senior and Junior karts with the original standard brake and disc fitted the chassis will require a disc protector. These are in stock now at ACR priced at £19.00 + VAT. If you have fitted the new self adjusting HQ brake and disc then a disc protector is not required. To order a disc protector call the ACR office 01527 889595.

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Winter Series Rd2 Cancelled

Due to continuing snowy conditions regretfully Rd2 of the winter series has been cancelled.

JV and Penny will be contacting drivers over the next few days.

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ACR Factory Closed 5/2/09 due to snow

Sorry but the ACR factory will be closed today 5/2/09 due to heavy snow in the Midlands. You can contact us by email for any enquires and we hope to be operational tommorow!

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2009 Membership Forms now avaialble

Great news you can now register for the 2009 Easykart summer series. Forms are avaialble from http://www.easykart.co.uk/membership.htm

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Easy Rent for Cadet

Easy kart cadet sales continue to grow in this exciting new easy class for 2009. A lot of newcomers will hit the grid in March plus some drivers that have competed before in Comer. In fact at the recent Autosport show at the NEC we were amazed at the interest shown from cadet fathers that are currently in Comer or WTP and struggling with ever increasing costs just to be able to compete and be competative - some fathers even saying that they had paid £3000 for an engine alone !

Of course with the strict format and regulations for Easykart cadet one thing we can guarantee is a level playing field and low cost racing for everyone on the grid. Some people have expressed an interest but aren't quite brave enough to jump from Comer/WTP to Easykart without trying it first - understandable.

So for 2009 ACR will have two easy Cadets available for rent for easy races. The cost would be £250 + VAT per race weekend and includes a set of wets as well as your slicks and would be run from the ACR awning. This service will help those that are undecided and hopefully help them make the transition to Easykart cadet and never look back !

Bookings for Easykart Cadet rent will be taken on a first come first served basis with the fee payable in full at the time of booking. For more info email acr birel@btconnect.com or call the office 01527 889595.

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Xmas Stocking Offer - ONLY A FEW PACKS LEFT!

Demand for our Xmas Stocking Filler has been superb, we only have a few packs left so to secure your please contact ACR by thursday.

Xmas cheer has even arrived at ACR the home of EasyKart UK. But then there is always the age old problem of what to get for Xmas for the EasyKart driver you love? They already have fullfillment in their life, they have you, they have their EasyKart - life couldn't be better- they want for nothing !

- WRONG they always need slicks, they always need oil they always need plugs. So when you asked him want do you want for Xmas ? and he said oh nothing I've got everything I really need, I've got my EasyKart, thats my enjoyment !" he then pauses and says" well if you really want to get me something, there was some sort of Xmas offer on the EasyKart website" so, if you are now reading this then you have fallen beautifully into his trap and now you really do know what to get him for Xmas !

The EasyKart Xmas gift set - a perfect gift for all EasyKart drivers !

1 set slicks, 1x EasyKart Oil , 1x EasyKart Spark Plug

For only £105.00 + VAT including free next day delivery - thats a saving over £30.00 !

Offer open for purchases from 03.12.08 and this offer ends on the 18.12.08. Offer limited to one EasyKart Gift Set per EasyKart owner who's name and racing number must be quoted when placing your order. Offer subject to availability, all orders confirmed will be delivered by 19.12.08 and will be delivered via a signed for courier service only.

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World EasyKart 2009 Finals

The provisional date and circuit has been chosen for the 2009 World EasyKart finals and is expected to take place at the Siena circuit (Italy) between the dates of the 16-17-18 October 2009. The World finals have become an important race for EasyKart UK drivers with excellent performances from the UK team in the last two finals. This year will again see the winner of the Cadet, Junior, Senior Light and Senior heavy UK Championships win a drive in the World Finals courtesy of EasyKart UK - yet another reason to choose EasyKart !

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EasyKart Clutch Tools

Now in stock the tools to extract your clutch hub. The gold holder locates into the three holes into the clutch hub and locks the crankshaft in place. You can then remove the left hand threaded nut holding the clutch hub onto your crank. The black puller then locates into the three threaded parts via the m5 bolts to the clutch hub. You then tighten the large bolt at the end of the puller with a 12mm allen key and as it tightens it pulls the clutch hub off the crank. These tools are required to either change your clutch hub or gear ring or if you ever want to strip your engine down fully.

Clutch Hub Holder: £13.85 + VAT - click here for image
Clutch Hub Puller: £15.95 + VAT - click here for image

To Order contact the ACR office 01527 889595 or email your order to tech@easykart.co.uk

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New EasyKart Baseball Cap

In stock now the new EasyKart International Baseball cap , the cool looking cap carries the flag of all EasyKart nations.

One size only : Price £10.95 + VAT

To place your order call the ACR office : 01527 889595

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Xmas Stocking Offer!

Xmas cheer has even arrived at ACR the home of EasyKart UK. But then there is always the age old problem of what to get for Xmas for the EasyKart driver you love? They already have fullfillment in their life, they have you, they have their EasyKart - life couldn't be better- they want for nothing !

- WRONG they always need slicks, they always need oil they always need plugs. So when you asked him want do you want for Xmas ? and he said oh nothing I've got everything I really need, I've got my EasyKart, thats my enjoyment !" he then pauses and says" well if you really want to get me something, there was some sort of Xmas offer on the EasyKart website" so, if you are now reading this then you have fallen beautifully into his trap and now you really do know what to get him for Xmas !

The EasyKart Xmas gift set - a perfect gift for all EasyKart drivers !

1 set slicks, 1x EasyKart Oil , 1x EasyKart Spark Plug

For only £105.00 + VAT including free next day delivery - thats a saving over £30.00 !

Offer open for purchases from 03.12.08 and this offer ends on the 18.12.08. Offer limited to one EasyKart Gift Set per EasyKart owner who's name and racing number must be quoted when placing your order. Offer subject to availability, all orders confirmed will be delivered by 19.12.08 and will be delivered via a signed for courier service only.

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New Rogue Gear!!! 10% OFF!!!

Rogue Racing Ltd field 4 drivers in the EasyKart UK Championship Aiden Kirwan, Josh Pettit, Jamie Mackay and Ben Thorn. Rogue Racing run a very successful indoor circuit in Aylesbury and have recently become authorized dealers for Arai helmets.

October saw Arai increase the cost of their SK5 Helmet to £319 + Vat, Rogue Racing can offer fellow easykart owners a 10% discount on this price. Contact Rogue Racing on: 01296 330567

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EasyKart Cadet Open Day: Try before you buy!

Such has been the demand and interest in the EasyKart Cadet that importer’s ACR are organising a try before you buy test at the Whilton Mill track circuit near Daventry on the Sunday 7th December 2008. The open day will start at 10am.

Interested drivers aged between 8 and 12 years old wishing to test the Easy cadet can purchase 15 laps for £20.00; Drives will be booked on a first come first served basis. To book a drive, please email ACR on birel@btconnect.com or call the office on 01527 889595.

There is now a waiting list for the Easy Cadet with the first consignment due just before Christmas!

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Easykart 2009 Championship Dates

RD 1 - 14th/15th March - Whilton Mill

RD 2 - 25th/26th April - Llandow

RD 3 - 30th/31st May - Clay Pigeon

RD 4 - 13th/14th June - Teesside Autodrome

RD 5 - 18th/19th July - Rye House

RD 6/7 - 21st/22nd/23rd August - Rowrah

RD 8 - 19th/20th September - Ellough Park

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New EasyKart adjustable brake system

After testing the new calliper successfully we are now able to give the possibility to purchase the new adjustable brake system.

As an introductory offer a special price of £250.00 + VAT will include the New EasyKart brake calliper, new type rear disc, new type brake disc carrier, new type master cylinder and brake cable.

This offer is only valid until the 30th November 2008 and all orders received by this time shall be delivered within December 2008.

For 2009 all new easy karts will still be supplied with the existing silver brake calliper and this must be used with original Freeline pads only in line with Easykart International regulations.

The new brake system eliminates the system of brake shims and from test results the brake pad set should last 2 or 3 meetings at least.

Apart from changing the brake pads when they are expired the new brake calliper should be extremely low maintenance but shows no advantage in the lap time. The complete system is also approx 1 kg lighter compared to the current senior calliper, master cylinder and disc.

To order:
Please email birel@btconnect.com or call the ACR office 01527 889595 “Quoting calliper 09”

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Cadet Open Day

We have been bombarded with enquiries for the New Easy Cadet - which is fantastic !, we even have orders stacking up !, after seeing the cadet race in Jesolo World Finals in Italy we can't wait to get them started here in the UK. To have a look at the cadets click on www.kartshots.co.uk and click on the gallery Jesolo - cadets - they look awesome!

So many people want to drive the cadet we are now looking at having an open day - maybe at Whilton Mill If you would like to try the cadet please email the office birel@btconnect.com with the email title "Easy Cadet Test". From the enquiries will organise a date and try to get everyone accomodated.

Keep posted to this website for more news and developments on the Easy Cadet !

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EasyKart Cadet Launched!

The Easy Cadet goes on sale today. The category will race in the main EasyKart UK 2009 Championship which is exclusive to EasyKart and kicks off in March at Whilton Mill. The winner of the Cadet Championship in 2009 will win a drive for the EasyKart UK team at the World Finals in Italy next October.

The Easykart Cadet uses EasyKart tyres, EasyKart 60 engine which is an electronic push button start. The carburettor used is a Tillotson fixed jet carburettor as no adjustments are allowed by the driver. The kart is very simplistic and only small adjustments to wheel track settings, tyre pressures are allowed. The seat, wheel rims and gearing are all specified by the Importers ACR and this creates an even playing field ensuring reduced costs. The category weight is expected to be 106KGS with the dry weight of the kart being 60kgs (subject to MSA approval).

All the engines will be serviced by Importer ACR with a fixed priced service cost. The cylinder, head, crankcases, crankshaft and the frame of the kart itself are all exchange purchase parts and will only be changed if damaged. This system already operates for the rest of the Easykart classes and ensures that no parts can be selected or kept by individuals in search of extra performance. Each kart purchased is registered with each child and cannot be raced or used by anyone else.

UK Easy Kart Importer Andy Cox of ACR is very excited about the new Cadet class “The interest we have is amazing, we will run an entry list with a maximum of 50 Cadet drivers for 2009, I believe what we have to offer with the new cadet will bridge the gap between Junior corporate racing and offer a simple, affordable way for a family to run their first kart for their son or daughter. The parameters in the regulations we have in place might sound a bit severe, but we feel we can see what is happening with karting. It used to be about racing and developing a driver’s skill. In many classes now you have to spend thousands of pounds to actually see if your driver does have the skill. EasyKart is definitely about the driver and whilst it is aimed at newcomers we also have numerous drivers racing that had it not been for EasyKart would not have been able to race anymore due to rising costs. After just returning from Jesolo in Italy for the World finals I can honestly say that the system of EasyKart delivers what it says on the tin: competitive, cost effective racing”

For more information on the EasyKart Cadet and the rest of the EasyKart range visit www.easykart.co.uk or call ACR on 010527 889595

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