MSA National Court   (23/12)

Having listened to evidence at its hearing on 21 and 22 December, the Motor Sports Association National Court has made the following ruling:

The court has fined Mr. Peter Christodoulou £30,000 after he admitted to modifying kart racing engines in an illegal manner. This followed the removal of four kart engines for inspection during a race meeting at the Rowrah circuit on 5 June 2005. The court heard that the cheating in this case was "very deliberate, very sophisticated and very expensive".

A statement from the court read: "The maximum fine provided for under rule Z 13.7.viii (which was applicable to this case) is one of £36,050. That is what is appropriate for the most serious offence which the evidence established this to be. We do, however, think that it would be right to reduce that amount to reflect the fact that Mr. Christodoulou admitted his guilt, albeit at a late stage. We accordingly impose a fine of £30,000."

All further matters concerning Mr. Christodoulou, including costs, will be dealt with at a later date to be fixed.

The engines modified by Mr. Christodoulou were removed from the karts of his son Adam Christodoulou, a competitor in the Junior Rotax category, and Mini-Max competitors Lewis Reeves, Jack Harvey and Jordan Chamberlain. Matters relating to these four competitors have been adjourned to a later date to be fixed.

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Passion Racing   (22/12)

Passion Racing has launched its sonic carb cleaning service, specifically aimed at the Max market. The Dellorto carb is stripped down and every component checked for damage, wear and tear, legal parts and sonic cleaned, the carburettor is then rebuilt using the Dellorto gasket set.

The cost is £27 plus vat and includes the labour, gasket kit and delivery from Passion Racing to the customer. (Not included are extra parts that need to be replaced, but you will be advised of any problems before assembly.) Contact Simon on 01273 493299 for further information on sonic carb cleaning and for other services offered by Passion Racing.

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Scottish 2006 WF Series   (22/12)

The 2006 Championship will be held over 6 rounds (best 5 scores to count), 4 at Larkhall and 2 at Crail. The Championship starts on 2nd April at Larkhall, so there’s time for the new drivers to get up to speed and hopefully the weather will have warmed up by then. Dates are: 2nd April - Larkhall, 21st May - Crail, 4th June - Larkhall, 16th July - Crail, 6th August - Larkhall, with the last round on 3rd September at Larkhall.

The confirmed championship sponsors are some big names in UK karting: Zoom Kartmart, Saxon Motorsport, Tillet Racing Seats, R3 Laser Alignment and Karting Magazine, all pledging their support to the class, together contributing a total prize fund worth over £1,000.

Prizes at each round are Zoom vouchers of £50, £25 and £10 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd finishers all provided by Zoom Kartmart, and a prize of a Kart chain to the driver with the fastest lap outside of the top 3, provided by Saxon Motorsport.

The overall championship winners will receive:
1st: £250 of Zoom vouchers, provided by Zoom Kartmart, a trophy provided by Briggs & Stratton (TBC) and an R3 laser sprocket alignment tool.
2nd: 12 months subscription to Karting magazine, provided by Karting magazine.
The best novice of the championship will receive a Tillet Ribtec, provided by Tillet Racing Seats.

Registration for the championship is free and registration forms will be available early next year. The cost of each round is the usual club entry fee. Race reports from each round will be submitted to Karting magazine, who are one of the sponsors.

The championship has been submitted to the MSA for approval by the MSA Kart Championship Control Panel and will only be run on condition of this approval. For further information on the Championship or World Formula, contact Jason Toovey via e-mail: jtoovey@hotmail.com, or Zoom Kartmart.

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Cadet Formula WTP   (21/12)

Please note that the introduction of the 2006 Cadet Formula WTP class regulations as published in the 2006 MSA Kart Race Yearbook are deferred until further notice.

The published 2005 class regulations must continue to be used in conjunction with the 2006 MSA Competitors’ Yearbook regulations.

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Macau International Kart Prix   (21/12)

Marco Ardigo took a convincing victory at the Macau International Kart Grand Prix last Sunday. The TonyKart drivers Gary Catt and Marco Ardigo looked certain to take a 1-2 after setting the pace from the first practice sessions, and taking the front row of the starting grid for the Final.

Marco Ardigo took the victory in dominant fashion with a 3.8 second victory over Japanese driver Kota Lee despite the race being red-flagged early on. Gary Catt set the fastest race lap but was unable to complete a TonyKart factory team 1-2 after retiring on lap 16 (of 26) due to a seized engine. Other retirements included Souro Cesetti, Jon Lancaster, Riki Christodoulou, and Jeremy Iglesias.

Davide Fore was due to race but did not travel to the event after deciding to remain with his expectant wife. Gary Catt seized when in 2nd place in the Final with about 10 laps to go. Christo had 2nd spot for the first few laps before being overtaken by Catt. Catt finished an earlier heat right with Ardigo and another heat in 2nd as well, but after a DNF in a heat following a seizure he started the pre-final in 7th, finishing 2nd 1.6 seconds behind Ardigo. Lancaster was 3rd in pre-final (DNF in Final).

Formula A top 10: 1 - Marco Ardigo; 2 - Kota Lee; 3 - Mark Litchfield; 4 - Leonardo Corti; 5 - Michael Cristensen; 6 - Takahide Sugiyama; 7 - Sven Van Koutrik; 8 - Jordan Oakes; 9 - William Thomason and 10 - Sekiguchi Hyuhi.

The Junior category witnessed a commanding victory by Jazeman Firhan Jaafar, with Steel Guilliana in second and Ooi Fei Hoong in third. The Senior Max category saw a close fight between Zahir Ali and Ross Jamison with Zahir eventually being able to build a 1.4 second lead to win the race. Andrew Tang took Cadet honours after setting pole and winning all heats.

Catt passes Christo		Jon Lancaster		Formula A		Cadets - Ouch!

Report and images from Mikko Nassi, and further pictures from the 2005 Macau International Kart Grand Prix available here.

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Buckmore Open Practice Dates   (20/12)

Buckmore Park Kart Circuit is offering additional open practice dates during the Christmas and New Year period. Owner/Driver practice will be available between 10am and 4pm for both 2 and 4 stroke karts on the following dates:

Tuesday 27th December 2005 - Bank Holiday
Friday 30th December 2005
Saturday 7th January 2006

For further details please contact Buckmore Park on 01634 201562.

Please note the circuit sales office closes at 12 Noon on the 24th December and reopens at 9am on Tuesday 27th December. The Buckmore website is updated daily.

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JICA Drivers   (19/12)

Attention all JICA drivers. The Bridgestone JICA Challenge is provisionally set for 2006.

Six rounds (four as warm ups for Stars and S1). Three Sisters; PFI; Rowrah; Clay Pigeon; Kimbolton(?) and Whilton Mill. Prizes will be supplied by (provisionally); Zip Kart - one set of Bridgestones at each round, John Mills Racing, JKH, Simon Wright Racing, Simpson Motorsport, David Charles Racing.

All that’s needed are the drivers, without you clubs won’t run JICA. Carey Lennox-Lamb would also like to know what other championships you intend to compete in. Contact Carey on 07799 831328, or email: lennoxlamb@aol.com

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24hr Team Endurance Challenge   (19/12)

Get ready for the biggest, fastest and most prestigious event on the indoor Karting calendar. With up to 18 teams competing over a gruelling 24hrs, this event will test the stamina and strategy of all teams to the limit. The event is being run in conjunction with Heart Research UK – help raise money for this very worthy cause and have a lot of fun whilst doing it! Entries are open to anybody over 16 years and team entries from corporate or private groups are accepted.

The 24hr endurance challenge takes place on Saturday 14th January 2006 at the Pole Position circuit near Leeds - the green flag drops at 12 noon with the chequered flag going to the team that has completed most laps by 12 noon Sunday 15th!

You must raise over £1500 in sponsorship to get an entry. The event entry includes:
Automatic donation to Heart Research UK
All teams race on a brand new Sodi 270cc GT3 Karts
All safety equipment inc helmet, race suit, gloves
Saturday evening buffet & Sunday breakfast for all drivers
Memento of the event for all drivers
Free entry in the track-side raffle

Top prizes, trophies and awards on offer for the winning team and top fundraising team. For entry information and sponsor forms please call on 0845 12 606 13 or email: 24hr@ppik.co.uk

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CIK Bulletin   (16/12)

During its meeting on 9th December 2005 in Monaco, the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA took the following decisions regarding Karting:

Composition of the CIK
The World Council has agreed to add the R.I.A.C., Motorsport Ireland, to the list of ASNs represented within the CIK. It has also approved the composition of the two CIK Working Groups for the forthcoming year. The “Sporting Regulations-Calendar-Championships” Working Group will be chaired by Mr Jaakko Markula (Finnish ASN) and composed of representatives from the Belgian, Monaco, Dutch and Portuguese ASNs, as well as four Manufacturers’ representatives, namely: Bridgestone (tyres), Dream Kart (chassis), Sodikart (chassis) and Sumitomo Rubber/Dunlop (tyres). The “Technical-Homologations-Manufacturers” Working Group will be chaired by Mr Laurent Arnaud (head of the CIK-FIA Technical Department) and composed of representatives from the German, French, British and Italian ASNs, of Mr Gabriele Cadringher (FIA Manufacturers’ Commission Director) and of three Manufacturers’ representatives, namely: Iame (engines), Swiss Hutless (chassis) and Vega (tyres).

Technical Regulations
The World Council has approved the rear protection technical and homologation regulations. These regulations have been drawn up by the CIK-FIA in consultation with the Karting Research Group of the FIA Institute for Safety.
The minimum weights required in the Superkart category have been increased by 5 kilos. The new Snell SA2005 and Snell K2005 standards have been added to the currently allowed helmet standards. All brake systems operating on the front brakes will henceforth be banned from the ICA-Junior category, whereas manually operated front brakes will be reserved for categories without gearboxes.
The World Council has decided to allow the late homologation of hard compound tyres for tyre Manufacturers who have not yet had a CIK-O7 homologation of hard compound tyres.

Invitations to tender
SRW Events, which belongs to the Eurosport Group, has been granted the media and marketing rights of the following 2006 CIK-FIA Championship events: Angerville/F (World Karting Championship and ICA World Cup), Mariembourg/B (Super-ICC World Cup, European ICA-Junior Championship and European ICC Championship), La Conca/I (European FA, Super-ICC and ICC Championships), Varennes sur Allier/F (European FA, Super-ICC and ICC Championships) and Ampfing/D (European FA and ICA Championships). Further to this decision, which was taken after an open tender process, the contract will shortly be finalised.

Within the framework of the invitation to tender issued by the FIA for the supply of tyres in some CIK-FIA Championships, the World Council has decided to designate Vega as exclusive supplier, and a contract will be finalised with this Company in accordance with the tender procedure:
- for the supply of tyres within the framework of the 2006 CIK-FIA Intercontinental A World Cup, of the 2006 CIK-FIA Super-ICC World Cup, of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Intercontinental A Championship (regional Qualifications and Final), of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Super-ICC Championship, of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Intercontinental C Championship and of the 2006 CIK-FIA Intercontinental A Viking Trophy. Tyres supplied by Vega will be the following: FM 10X4.60-5 (front) and FM 11X7.10-5 (rear) for slick tyres, W4 10X4.20-5 and W4 11X6.00-5 for (wet weather) tyres.
- for the supply of tyres within the framework of the 2006 CIK-FIA European ICA-Junior Championship (regional Qualifications and Final) and of the 2006 CIK-FIA ICA-Junior Viking Trophy. Tyres supplied by Vega will be as follows: FH 10X4.60-5 (front) and FH 11X7.10-5 (rear) for slick tyres, W4 10X4.20-5 (front) and W4 11X6.00-5 (rear) for (wet weather) tyres. Vega offers free tyres for each Driver for all the events, as well as prize money and benefits for the best classified Drivers in each event and/or championship. For free and non-qualifying practice, the price proposed by Vega is 154 € (inclusive of tax) per set of slick tyres and 160 € (inclusive of tax) per set of (wet weather) tyres.

Within the framework of the invitation to tender issued by the FIA for the supply of fuel in some of the 2006 CIK-FIA Championships, the World Council has decided to designate Panta as exclusive supplier, and a contract will be finalised with this Company in accordance with the tender procedure for the supply of fuel within the framework of the 2006 CIK-FIA World Karting Championship, of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Formula A Championship, of the 2006 CIK-FIA Super-ICC World Cup, of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Super-ICC Championship, of the 2006 CIK-FIA Intercontinental A World Cup, of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Intercontinental A Championship (regional Qualifications and Final), of the 2006 CIK-FIA European ICA-Junior Championship (regional Qualifications and Final) and of the 2006 CIK-FIA European Intercontinental C Championship. The fuel will be supplied by Panta at the price of 3.60 € (inclusive of tax) per litre.

International Karting Series approved by the FIA
The World Council has approved the following international Karting series: 2006 Rotax Mojo Max Challenge Grand Finals, Rotax Mojo Max Euro Challenge, Rok Cup International Final, WSK International series (Winning Series Karting) and Italian Open Masters.

2005 CIK-FIA European Intercontinental A Championship
Further to the decision of the International Court of Appeal to exclude the Driver Nathanaël Berthon from the Pre-Final of the 2005 CIK-FIA European Intercontinental A Championship, the World Council, called upon to draw the conclusions thereof, has decided to exclude this Driver from the classification of the Final, which he had won and which he had started from the first row on account of the suspensive effect of his appeal. The winner of the European Championship is therefore Britain’s James Calado, ahead of the Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne and of the Italian Alessandro Bressan.

The details of the changed rules and of the new regulations will soon be available on www.cikfia.com

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F1 Stars Of The Future?   (15/12)

Alice Powell and Ben Bishop have been asked to attend the upcoming Autosport International show at the Birmingham NEC to receive outstanding driving awards for the talent they had shown in the celebrity Chase The Champ motor racing event.

BRDC Stars of Tomorrow boss and talent spotter Caroline Hoy said; “These two drivers are going to be big stars in the future, we can even see them both going as far as Formula One, Ben has all the ingredients of a top line racing driver such as Jenson Button and would be an excellent marketing tool as he is well spoken and has goods looks, he really needs to be taken on by a team of the highest level now he is moving away from karts.” Ben has had offers from a Formula 3 team in South America and also a UK Formula Renault team. Ben commented; "It’s an honour to be receiving this award and it’s nice to hear that I am being compared to drivers such as Jenson Button and Jamie Green, as regards to my future I am keener on going into Formula Renault as I want to stay in the British Motorsport system. "But Ben wants to make the right decision so would like all racing teams bosses from Formula Renault or Formula BMW to contact his management team at motorsport-management@hotmail.co.uk or call Andy Bishop on 07881497271.

Alice Powell who will be racing at Super One JICA level in the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow series said; "I am lost for words, I am thrilled to be attending the Autosport show as a guest of Caroline Hoy and to receive the award, and regarding the Chase The Champ event my aim wasn’t to beat Jamie Green’s time it was to beat Riki Christo's time. After many attempts on Saturday I managed to get within 300ths of his time so I knew I had to return on Sunday and when I did actually beat Riki, my new target was Jamie which was much harder, it was very physical trying to find the extra time and I’m not as strong as these older drivers but I did it and boy it felt good! I would like to thank the organisers of the event and say good luck to Dean Burbank who they were raising the money for."

If you want to meet Ben Bishop and Alice Powell you can catch them at the Autosport International show on the Stars of Tomorrow stand on Sunday 15th January 2006.

Pictures are from the recent Chase The Champ fund raising event at the Sutton Circuit near Leicester

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Blingstar Range Launched   (14/12)

These workshop/van accessories are a must! Check out www.passionracing.co.uk for details and prices. The products can be supplied in either brushed ali or polished diamond plate.

Go into Shop then to Pit & Paddock on the website and click on Blingstar. The products will make brilliant Christmas presents! Contact Simon at Passion Racing on 01273 493299 for more information.

If you are still struggling to think of a Christmas present for the karter in your life, you will find many gift ideas on the Passion Racing website.

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Warden Law Fun Meeting   (14/12)

Karting North East are holding an Open Fun Meeting on Tuesday 27th December. There are classes for Cadets, Mini & Junior Max, Senior Max and Prokarts / World Formula.

Each class gets 3 heats of 12 laps plus a 15 lap final with standing starts based on timed qualifying. . All races are electronically lap scored with full scrutineering, paramedic cover etc. Costs are £30 per kart using your transponder and £40 using KNE. Further details from www.kartingnortheast.com or from the circuit on 0191 521 4050.

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Autosport International At The NEC   (13/12)

Formula One drivers David Coulthard, Christian Klien, Vitantonio Liuzzi and Robert Doornbos are the latest top names from the world of motorsport who are rolling up to the NEC, Birmingham, from 12th -15th January for Autosport International, the greatest motorsport show on earth, and they are not just coming for a walkabout - this will be a once in a lifetime chance to challenge celebrities on the Karting Oxford indoor track. The newly confirmed Red Bull drivers for 2006 will be giving the new Red Bull Track Attack, to be launched at the show, their full support. David Coulthard will be at the show on Saturday afternoon, and then attending the 100 Years of Grand Prix Racing Dinner on Saturday night (for tickets call 08705 201201 or visit www.hilton.co.uk/motorsports) and David will be back officially to open the show at 9.00am on Sunday 15th January.

The Autosport International show will launch the Red Bull Track Attack, giving an opportunity for early qualifiers when the competition is launched at the Red Bull Energy Station, located next to the F1 Racing Gallery. What’s more, 10 lucky people will be able to pit their wits in a ‘just for fun’ Karting contest at the show on Saturday afternoon.

Liuzzi will be at the show on Thursday 12th January while Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing’s Sporting Director, will meet fans on Saturday 14th January along with Coulthard. Here you have three Karting supremos. Liuzzi was FIA World Karting Champion in 2001; DC spent four years in Karting, winning his first Scottish Junior Karting Championship at the age of 12 before scooping the Open in Junior and Seniors; and Christian Horner began his racing career in karts at just 13. Austrian Christian Klien, who also started his career in Karting in 1996 and Robert Doornbos will be at the show on Sunday 15th January.

The Red Bull Track Attack is aimed at speed freaks who think they’ve got the skills and stamina to get behind the wheel of a kart and battle it out against hundreds of other budding drivers. Between January and March 2006 the search will be on for the UK’s best Karter with qualifiers to be held at tracks across the country. The best of the best will then go head to head with some of the top names in Formula One at a grand finale next May. The final, which is expected to attract thousands of spectators, will be held in a major city centre on a specially designed road track. The competition is open to absolutely anyone over the age of 16, except professional drivers. You don’t even need your own kart, just the determination and drive to beat off the competition. So if you believe you can pick up the Red Bull gauntlet make sure you enter the Red Bull Track Attack at Autosport International.

The challenge is on….! If you want to rub shoulders with the greatest drivers in the world, avoid the queues and book online now at Autosport International for tickets to the show, which include entrance to the Live Action Arena at £25.00 for adults and £17.50 for children, or by calling the ticket hotline on 0870 380 2244.

Brand new for 2006 is an exclusive Paddock Pass ticket available at £31. This special pass gives holders access to the new paddock area built backstage in the Live Action Arena where you can get up close to the cars and talk to the drivers. You will also get fast-track entry and priority seating in the Live Action Arena plus the opportunity to watch extra performances from the sidelines. This fantastic offer also includes exclusive access to the Driver Signing Area with the opportunity to obtain autographs from your racing heroes.

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Chase The Champ Shock Result   (12/12)

The final weekend of the Chase The Champ event was explosive, with hundreds of karters making their way down to Sutton Circuit in Leicester. The event has brought some big names in motor racing to it, including Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Jamie Green and many other drivers from BRDC’s Stars of Tomorrow series.

There were two drivers in particular that stood out above the rest, 18 year old Ben Bishop of ARC Motorsport who gave tremendous support to the month long event, he encountered and excelled in all weather conditions and was a worthy recipient of one of the awards. The other driver was Alice Powell from the race series BRDC Stars of Tomorrow, and it was this young lady who provided the shock of the weekend. Alice, who is only 12 years old, made her light weight count and frequently exchanged fastest laps with Ben, but with the latter weighing-in at almost 12 kilos heavier he was disadvantaged particularly on the straights in the karts available, so it was 12 year old Alice Powell who went on to chase and beat the champ, Jamie Green, with a fantastic lap time of 37.976.

The final two days of Chase The Champ were enjoyed by all and everyone commented on what a great weekend and event it had been. UK Karting’s award for ‘Most Complete Driver’ went to Ben Bishop who although having a small weight disadvantage to all the drivers in the top 10, he managed to beat Riki Christodoulou and match Martin Plowman’s time. Ben proved that he has a big potential future ahead of him after shining in all conditions and showing some brilliant track craft and kart control, he’s likely to be of great interest to many teams in the future.

The event has so far raised £2000 with more expected over the coming weeks and this together with some sponsorship already obtained will enable 13 year old leukaemia sufferer Dean Burbank to realise a dream when he takes his place on the starting grid next year for a season in Rotax Minimax. (Dean is pictured top left with Chase The Champ winner Alice Powell.)

A final word from Ben Bishop who said; "I would first like to say what a great job the people who were running Chase The Champ did, without them this great event wouldn’t have taken place and a special thanks to Mark Garrett for keeping me posted on the event and inviting me down for the final weekend. This has been a great experience for me and I have met some great people through this event. I would like to say good luck to Dean Burbank with his season’s racing who this event was in aid of. Good Luck Dean!"

The final Chase The Champ leaderboard.  Where did you finish?

Photographs courtesy of Chris Walker - www.kartpix.net

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BRDC   (12/12)

It is now confirmed that Thomas Arme, winner of the 2005 BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship, will compete in the BARC Formula Renault Championship with the Mark Burdett Motorsport Team.

Stevie Taddei also winner of the 2005 BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Scholarship and 15 next season will compete in the Ginetta Junior Championship in the factory car.

Last year's Scholarship winner Craig Copeland chose to defer his BRDC Scholarship drive until 2006 and will join Thomas in the Mark Burdett Team.

Both the Ginetta and Formula Renault's will be in the British Racing Green and white colours of the BRDC. Drivers and cars will be on the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow stand at the Autosport Show in January.

BRDC Stars of Tomorrow entry forms.
2006 BRDC Stars of Tomorrow entry forms can be downloaded from www.brdc.co.uk (click on Stars of Tomorrow). You can email them on starsoftomorrow@brdc.co.uk, or call on 01327 850939 and ask for an entry form to be sent out. Registration fee £270 to secure your number.

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Blackbushe - 17th December   (09/12)

Go join the fun and camaraderie at the next Camberley Kart Club meeting at the Blackbushe circuit on Saturday 17th December. It's the 2nd of four winter championship rounds (any three to count), and with the final two on the fourth Saturday of January and February there's still time for new entrants to be crowned Camberley Kart Club Winter Champion.

Be quick before you race by getting your entry in now! Contact Elaine Buxton on 01276 512691 or visit the Camberley Kart Club website for a race entry form.

Keep in trim and shed a few pounds before tucking in to the Christmas pudding this winter, and who knows, standing on the top step of that podium on the 17th could be the best Christmas present you'll get this year. Do it now though as time is quickly running out to enter, and you can always do the Christmas shopping the following Saturday, - and probably at Sale Prices too!

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Saxon Motorsport Appointed   (09/12)

Sole UK Birel Importer Andy Cox Racing is pleased to announce the appointment of Saxon Motorsport as Birel agents. “We are keen to develop a Birel kart for the Biland market to which Saxon are the importers. Saxon is also based near to the Welsh border and may open new Birel opportunities in Wales “commented Andy Cox.

For more information contact ACR on 01527 889595 or Saxon Motorsport on 01432 350157.

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Wildtracks   (09/12)

After the success of the recent club meetings at Wildtracks, near Newmarket in Suffolk, the 3rd and final round this year will be held on Sunday 18th December. The circuit will now be catering for Prokarts alongside their grids for Cadets, Junior TKM, Minimax, Junior Rotax, Senior TKM, 100cc & Senior Rotax classes. Although a non-MSA circuit the club will run in accordance to the 2005 blue book.

To download a race entry form click here or alternatively contact the circuit on 01638 750496. The circuit is still open for owner drivers and corporate bookings on most days of the week, and “business as usual” is the message from the new management team.

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The Open Endurance Championship   (09/12)

The Open Endurance Championship announced at the London Kart Show that Kartline Tyres have become a Championship Sponsor for the 2006 season. Kartline will be the Championship’s control tyre having proven their suitability after being raced throughout the 2005 season. Kartline will also be supplying a free set of tyres as a prize for each of the eight rounds as well as prizes for the overall Championship. Priced at a very competitive £49.90+ VAT per set they offer outstanding value & being produced by a subsidiary of Goodyear they are manufactured to exacting standards

Also for the 1st round of the Championship a free set of Kartline tyres is being offered to all teams who enter and pay their race deposit of £75 before the 24th February 2006. The Race entry is being held at the 2005 price of £150 per round, making the Championship extremely good value for 4.5hrs of racing.

Whilton Mill will host the majority of the rounds but the Championship will be returning to Daytona Milton Keynes for the second round in April.

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BPKC Summer Championship   (08/12)

The final round of the BPKC Summer Championship is fast approaching. Round 8 of the BPKC Summer Championship takes place on Sunday 18th December. With double points on offer and special Christmas fayre, a bumper entry is expected.

Open practice is available between 10am and 4pm on Wednesday 14th December and Saturday 17th December between 10am and 4pm. Overnight parking is available on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th. For further details please contact Sheila Rose, Club Secretary on 01634 661604.

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MSA Launch Training & Recruitment Initiative   (08/12)

The Motor Sports Association has unveiled details of a National Motorsport Training Plan – an ambitious five-year programme to increase significantly the numbers of volunteer officials in both two- and four-wheeled motor sport. With partnership funding of £150,000 from the government's Motorsport Development Board and match funding from the MSA's Motor Sports Training Trust, Volunteers in Motorsport represents the first ever centrally co-ordinated activity to address the issues of recruitment, retention, training and development among the essential motor sport volunteer community.

There are currently over 9,000 marshals and a further 3,500 licensed officials registered with the MSA, but in the last four years the number of active marshals has dropped by over 10%. In motor cycling the decline is even sharper, showing falls of around 19%. In creating Volunteers in Motorsport, the MSA has joined forces with its two-wheeled equivalent the Auto Cycle Union (ACU). This was critical in securing government funding and essential to the success of the campaign.

The MSA has always funded an extensive training programme, reaching some 5,000 people a year through seminars and training courses organised by MSA-recognised clubs and led by 120 MSA-licensed instructors. However, there has never been such a national drive to attract new blood. Volunteers in Motorsport will cover four key areas: a recruitment campaign to increase numbers across the sport; a retention strategy to recognise experience, increase motivation and reduce further decline; a national programme to provide relevant, structured and professional training that is accessible to all; and a framework for schemes that recognise personal development and simplify the process of cross-discipline participation. Running parallel to this, the MSA will be looking at marshals' welfare, such as the provision of better facilities, in order to improve the environment for volunteers.

Volunteers in Motorsport, to be launched officially at the Autosport International Show in January, will be implemented by Sue Sanders-Peppitt, who is also responsible for all aspects of spectator safety on Wales Rally GB. It will be operated in conjunction with Allan Dean-Lewis, Head of External Affairs at the MSA, who also co-ordinates the FIA Institute's Safety Training Working Group.

"Everyone knows how important volunteers are to motor sport," says Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the MSA. "We have had a problem with declining numbers for as long as I can remember, but the response has traditionally been fragmented between clubs and ourselves. We now have an opportunity, thanks not only to government funding but also to the Motor Sport Training Trust, to create a co-ordinated, national approach to this serious issue."

"We do need to recruit new blood into the sport," agrees Sanders-Peppitt. "But the people we already have are essential to the ongoing viability of the sport and are very important to us, so we also need to make sure we can retain them. If we consider that 87% of marshals are male and 99% are white, we can clearly see that our volunteers are not representative of wider society and we must take positive measures to address the issue. I’m really pleased to have the chance to make a difference to something this vital. We will be involving many people from all disciplines and we would welcome everyone’s views and comments."

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FIA International Court   (07/12)

The Motor Sports Association, governing body of motor sport in the UK, has moved to appoint two new UK judges to the FIA International Court in Paris following Graham Stoker's election to the FIA World Motor Sport Council.

The new UK judges will be Anthony Scrivener QC and Edwin Glasgow QC. Both are leading barristers, acknowledged sports law experts and stewards of the RAC, as well as being long standing motor sport enthusiasts.

Colin Hilton, MSA Chief Executive said: "We are delighted that Anthony Scrivener and Edwin Glasgow will become the new UK judges for the FIA International Court. The MSA strongly supports the important work of the International Court and these appointments emphasise the MSA's commitment to the court's vital voice in solving disputes in motor sport at the highest level."

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BRDC Stars Of Tomorrow Award   (06/12)

Attention all BRDC Stars of Tomorrow competitors. The BRDC bosses at Stars of Tomorrow and talent scouts are keeping a close eye on all drivers that come down to Sutton circuit in Leicester for the final week of Chase The Champ. The final day is Sunday 11th December which is also prize day! All of the lap times that drivers put in over the next week are going to be monitored and passed over to BRDC bosses at Stars of Tomorrow. Stars of Tomorrow has launched the careers of some of the best race drivers around today including Lewis Hamilton, Gary Paffett and Martin Plowman, this could be something to aid your future career and with people like Ron Dennis watching over this event you may even get a future with McLaren.

Caroline Hoy from Stars of Tomorrow series said’ "I want a BRDC Stars of Tomorrow driver at the top of the list and I will award a £25 Grand Prix Racewear voucher to the fastest driver from the 2005 BRDC Stars of Tomorrow Championship. The competition finishes on Sunday, so don't delay and book yourself in now!"

Call the Chase The Champ hotline on 01455 287078 to get yourself booked in, and for a map and directions go to the Sutton Circuit website. 

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Ceramic Bearings   (06/12)

Passion Racing has launched the Ceramic Wheel Bearing. These have been used over the past few months with their 100cc team and also with Martin Pierce at the European and World Championships. The wheel bearings fit the extended hubs or the standard wheel arrangement they are available for 17mm stub spindles.

The bearings are stainless steel cage with ceramic ball bearings to reduce friction and drag. They spin 10 times longer than standard type wheel bearings.

Call Simon for details on 01273 493299.

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Chase The Champ   (06/12)

There is now going to be an award for the most complete driver of Chase The Champ, a driver who has proved his or herself to be the most complete driver all round.

At the moment the person up for this award is Ben Bishop (pictured left at Kimbolton in June) who has been outstanding in all conditions. Ben has visited the circuit now a few times just to keep his eye on things but every time he has had a go conditions have varied and never been perfect, even his dry time was set in the damp!

This really shows how much talent the 18 year old has. He has also proved himself in wet conditions, but not just normal wet conditions as he’s contended with snow, hail and torrential rain! Ben soon proved on that day that he was not just another quick driver in the dry but also fantastically talented in wet and hugely variable conditions. Ben said, "I have really enjoyed coming down to compete in Chase The Champ, the circuit is so challenging and you really have to think what your doing while driving round. I was unlucky when I set my dry time as it was a little damp on circuit which made the kart very tail end happy round some of the corners and I was losing time because of this. Never the less though, it has been great to compete in this event and for such a good cause."

If you think you can better Ben Bishop's performance, then get on down to Sutton circuit in Leicester and prove what you’re made of! Call the hotline before you come down to avoid disappointment: Telephone 01455 287078.

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The TAG Is Here   (05/12)

For all those who are in possession of a TAG engine - i.e. Leopard 125cc, Vortex 125cc, Fireball 125cc and RR. Extreme 125cc. The race is on.

On 22nd January 2006 the Kent circuit Bayford Meadows, located near Sittingbourne, will be the first sprint race to include TAG engines, approved by the MSA and under the technical regulations of Clubman Karting. They will also be included at Bayford Meadows throughout the summer sprint races - i.e. 23rd April; 28th May; 25th June; 23rd July; 27th August and 24th September.

Arnold Giardino and team want many as possible (minimum 10) to go down to have a race of your own - not to be amongst the TKMs. There’s a practice day on Sunday 15th January 2006.

Says Arnold, “This is what we have all been waiting for. Come to Bayford and race your TAG.” Further information ring Bayford Meadows 01795 410707 or Arnold 07770326822. For technical regulations visit Clubman Karting.

Please note: For all sprint races a Bayford you must have an MSA competition licence. If you do not have one, you can take an ARKS test at Bayford on Sunday 15th January 2006 at an incentive price. Contact Bayford Meadows and get your ARKS pack or ring Bayford for more details.

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Stars Of Tomorrow   (05/12)

A double DVD of the 2005 televised Stars of Tomorrow series is now available exclusively from Karting magazine.

Containing three hours of action from Shenington, Three Sisters, Larkhall, Silverstone, Llandow and Buckmore Park, the DVD set costs £25 including UK P&P and VAT.

Registered series competitors should contact Carolynn Hoy for details of a special reduced price.

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Button Digs Deep   (02/12)

Latest news is that Jenson Button has donated a large sum of money to Chase The Champ and he wants fellow racers to get down to the Leicester based circuit regardless of the weather to show off their skills.

Jamie Green impressed the girls from Big Brother 6 with his driving skills when they went down to Chase The Champ.  Can you impress them too? Chase The Champ. Get down before it’s too late!

The Chase The Champ event is entering its final week, the last day which is also prize giving day is Sunday 11th December, but it’s not too late to get down and prove yourself. The event has been a great success, which is aimed at helping 13 year old leukaemia sufferer Dean Burbank live his dream of racing karts.

The weather has taken a turn for the worse but don’t let that put you off, it never put off the greats like Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher and many more current Formula 1 drivers.

With a brilliant ‘wet track’ prize up grabs there really is no reason not to take part in this great event held at the Sutton Circuit at Sutton Elms near Broughton Astley in Leicester. Many great racing teams and talent scouts are closely watching this event at this technical circuit, so if you can prove yourself in all conditions you never know who might come knocking at your door.

Get your name noticed amongst some of the best drivers in motorsport and karting, such as; Jamie Green (the champ!), Riki Christodoulou, Ben Bishop, Martin Plowman, James Harridge and many more.

UK Karting are also offering a chance to win a trophy. There will be an award made to the driver who has impressed most in all racing conditions at this Chase The Champ event. Your name and photo of you holding the trophy will appear on the home/front page of karting.co.uk for all talent spotters to see!  There’s also more UK Karting prizes, and you could become the owner of one of three glass trophies that someone will win, and you don’t have to win to win one, if you know what we mean.

The weather forecast for the next week in the Leicester area is for rain, rain and more rain, so here is what you need to do to put yourself in with a chance of acquiring one of these special trophies. Get yourself down to the Sutton Circuit and support the charity event by hiring a kart for £12 for 10 laps. It’s a very technical circuit and we know that it’s not easy to put in a perfect lap, so…

As we all like a trophy when kart racing and we can’t all be as quick as Jamie Green, at the moment - it’s a long learning curve isn’t it? The track, at best, is likely to be a bit damp for the next week so again there’s little chance for most of us to head the leaderboard, although if you do and are still there at the end of the event then you win a ride as a passenger in a Ferrari around the Donington race circuit. But if you are not bang on the pace don’t worry, you could still get your hands on an award, in the shape of one of our special ‘raindrop’ trophies. How? Read on.

In most events you could expect to receive a trophy if you finish in the top 3, and in a few events you might walk away with a trophy by finishing in the top 6, but there’s nothing if you finish 7th. Well that’s not the case at Sutton Circuit’s Chase The Champ running until Sunday 11th December.  All times will be logged and at the end of the event if your time is the 7th fastest during that period you will receive a UK Karting sponsored trophy. There are three categories; lightweight, heavyweight and ladies. So what are you waiting for? Get down to the Sutton Circuit now!  Mum, Dad, Brothers, Sisters, Aunt, Uncle and Grandad too, you all have got a chance of a prize now. 7th or 11th place!  Get on down and help us help young Dean Burbank (pictured left).  Where do you stand on the Chase The Champ leaderboard.

And there’s more… Nobody wants to win a booby prize, so we are calling this our 2nd prize. Entrants during the above period in each of the three categories who finish in 11th place will win a (very) limited edition of our kart racer mug - just what you need to put your tea in on these cold days, AND a cloth racesuit patch. Wow, we hear you say!

There are many brilliant prizes up for grabs and a presentation day where all prize winners and the public will be invited. There will also be media attending this brilliant event. So go on down and have a go before it’s too late to be part of something big. Call the Sutton Circuit now on 01455 287078 and get yourself booked in. Open daily from 10am until late.

Are you on your way to the Sutton Circuit yet? Come on, it’s all in a good cause!

Photographs courtesy of Chris Walker - www.kartpix.net

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Biland Super Series   (02/12)

The Biland Super Series was announced at the International Kart Show at Donington last weekend. Saxon Motorsport and their sponsors are putting up a prize fund in excess of £10,500. For each round there will be the following prize money:
1st - £1000
2nd - £500
3rd - £250
In addition, the top placed driver not to have previously won money or tyres will receive a new set of tyres.

Provisional tracks and dates are:
1st April 2006 - Buckmore Park
28th May 2006 - Llandow
3rd June 2006 - Whilton Mill
16th July 2006 - Warden Law
2nd September 2006 - Clay Pigeon
29th October 2006 - Llandow

This is one of the best prize funds in UK karting! For anyone buying a Biland at the moment this would give them the opportunity to cover the initial cost, and the cost of the season if they’re good enough. There is also the option to hire a kart from Saxon. The prices start at £350 +VAT per race day. For more details contact Saxon on 01432 350157 or e-mail carol@saxon-motorsport.co.uk

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End Of Year Deals From Tal-Ko   (02/12)

Kart racers are being offered a once a year chance to buy top notch brand new karts at knock-down prices. Tal-Ko Racing needs to clear its stores ready for shipments of new karts coming in January and are offering karts from Wild Kart and from multi world champions CRG at greatly reduced prices.

Visitors to the London Kart Show (9th - 11th December 05) will be able to buy top of the range premier Racing specification models like CRG Road Rebel “Havana” for £1250 and the Wild Kart “Fighter” for £800. See the Tal-Ko Racing website for information and pictures on these karts. All prices quoted are for rolling chassis complete with Mag wheels but less seat and exclusive of VAT.

Says Tal-Ko’s Alan Turney: “These are huge reductions on premium quality karts. We simply have to make space for new 2006 stock so it is a great opportunity for drivers to get a genuine bargain. But once they are sold that’s it.”  The only stipulation is that they must be paid for and taken away from the show. Tal-Ko will also be offering some very special deals on complete Formula TKM 2 & 4-stroke outfits.

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Maxxis Formula TKM Festival   (01/12)

A new DVD featuring all the action from this year’s Maxxis Formula TKM Festival at Kimbolton has just gone on sale. The DVD, which lasts for around one hour, shows the finals from all of the 2 and 4 stroke classes as well as other action and interviews from the heats and pre-finals.

Also included are some breathtaking on-board shots from a number of karts – probably the best ever seen within kart racing – which help make the DVD very exciting viewing. The DVDs are priced at £19.50 including VAT (but excluding post and packing) and are available from Tal-Ko Racing on 01767 682020.

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Motors TV Kart Series   (01/12)

The Motors TV Ultimate Karting Challenge, based at Three Sisters, has received another boost to the ever increasing prize fund, with the announcement that Pi Research will be sponsoring the entire series in 2006.

As part of their commitment, the company will be giving away four new Pi datalogging systems for Karts, worth around £1200 each, one for each of the four classes. An announcement detailing the prizes offered by the individual class sponsors , KKC, Dartford Karting, Tal-Ko, Zip North and Head 2 Head Motorsport, plus some exciting contributions from Motors TV and ARDS, will be made early in the New Year. Alan Taddei of PSC Productions says, "The top three in each class at the end of the season will share in some special prizes. We expect the prize fund to have a value in the region of £18,000 or more by the time we start the series." For further information about the series, and to download a registration form, log on to www.mbkartclub.com or www.pscproductions.co.uk

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Threat To Motor Sport   (01/12)

New proposals governing rights of way could have a major impact on motor sport enthusiasts who need access to sites with cars or vans - and it may be too late to do anything about it.

Provisions in a Government Bill going through Parliament seek to remove rights of way for motor vehicles and restrict the recording of new ones. Despite previously proposing a timescale for users of minor highways to check the records and confirm their right of way, the Government is now proposing to backdate the new rules to May this year.

According to LARA, the Land Access and Recreation Association, the result will bear on many motor sport organisers and competitors and others using the countryside for sport and recreation may find that minor roads - including some tarmac roads - which they have been using for years for access to sites for practice days and events are closed to motors. Continuing to use them could result in prosecution.

Tim Stevens from LARA says: "The Government had originally allowed 25 years to sort out the rights of way maps, which are currently in a real mess. At the beginning of this year, the Minister was under pressure to reduce this for motorists, but promised 'a reasonable period of notice', and the Government now threatens to go back on its word by making the regulations retrospective, closing the door even to existing claims. The result will be that recreational users of the countryside who need to use motors for access will now find their rights arbitrarily extinguished and there will be nothing they can do about it."

The move by the Government is an attempt to crack down on so-called scramblers and others who illegally drive or ride where they should not. LARA supports this objective of the legislation, as long as legitimate users are first given the chance to verify their own existing rights. LARA is calling on the Government to keep its promise to allow a period of time for the records to be checked and rights of way verified. As Tim Stevens says: "In not allowing records to be corrected, the Government will only penalise responsible users of country lanes who want to keep within the law. The proposal will have no impact on those who flout rights of way and churn up country lanes."

LARA calls on all who may be affected by these regulations to lobby the Government and their local MP by pointing out how they could lose their established access for legitimate motor sport - not merely on the lanes themselves, but on access roads including some which are tarmac.

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Ben Bishop Offered Formula 3 Drive   (01/12)

Racing driver Ben Bishop who lives in Stevenage, Hertfordshire has just been offered the opportunity of a lifetime. Ben who is currently a works driver for ARC Motorsports based at Silverstone is competing in the TKM Extreme Karting Formula. Ben is also one of the fastest drivers in the Chase the Champ event held at Sutton Circuit in Leicester.

After racing in the annual TKM Festival held at Kimbolton in Cambridgeshire, Ben was approached by Prop Car Racing, a South American Formula 3 race team currently running second in that Championship. The team who have many race wins throughout their F3 history was founded by Darcio dos Santos, uncle of Ferrari Formula One ace Rubens Barrichello. In 1995 they were runners up in the South American Formula 3 championship, which they went on to win in 1997. A statement from Prop Car Racing said, “We are looking for British talent, we have always launched great young drivers, and today Prop Car Racing wants Ben Bishop to maintain its tradition”.

Ben said, “This is a fantastic opportunity for me to reach the higher levels of motorsport and to fulfil my ultimate dream of racing in Formula One. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity but of course such a drive does not come cheaply and I am currently looking for British based companies who can benefit from backing me in a sponsorship deal”. Anyone interested in further information can contact Ben on 07798 663434 or e-mail: benbishop_bb@hotmail.com

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New Karting Courses   (30/11)

After many years of Karting, at the highest levels in the UK and Europe, Danny has set up his own driver coaching courses. They are aimed at both the new karter and also the karter that has been in the sport a while and needs the expertise to take him or her to the next level.

The tuition ranges from a one day one-to-one course, to actually running the driver at club meetings or even a full season’s championship. All tuition is on a one-to-one basis, you will not be part of a large group. The courses will teach you top level driving techniques and also advice on chassis set up. Danny said; "Lots of drivers will spend huge sums of money on a new chassis, new engine, special carb, new tyres, etc. to find more speed, but many overlook the benefits of professional driver training, a driver can easily find 3-4/10s on a better driving technique, even after a one day course."

Any circuit is covered in the UK or Europe. Go to Danny Cruttenden Motorsport or call 07855 791739 for more details.

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World Rotax Championships   (30/11) 

Well done to Passion Racing’s Martin Pierce 3rd place at the Rotax World Championships in Malaysia. The week long event was certainly gruelling for drivers with well over 30deg temperatures and monsoon conditions on the Friday. Time practice left Martin 2nd in group and 5th overall. Martin had 1 heat win and two 2nds to qualify 3rd for the pre-final, finishing eighth after a clutch problem. The Final of 25 laps was fantastic for Mr Pierce leaving him a close 3rd place. Thanks go to all the team for the season, Martin Pierce finished 4th overall in the European Rotax Max Championships.

Thanks to: Simon Frost - Passion Racing; Ivan Mitchell - Passion Racing; David Gregory - Passion Racing; Tim Swadkin - TSRE (engines); John and Jean - JAG; Tristram Oman - HRS Motorsport (CRG); Martin Collard and the girls - Dartford Karting; Stephen James - Tony James Component Wiring (Pi system) and Paul Saunders - Snap On Tools.

For details and budgets for the Rotax European Championships please call Simon or David 01273 493299 (Passion Racing). Parts can be purchased online from www.passionracing.co.uk

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Former Champ Returns To Shenington   (30/11)

Alastair Rushforth (Wantage) will return to Kart racing this weekend at Shenington for the first time in nine years. The 26 year old racing driver will be competing in the Formula TKM Extreme race at the Shenington Kart Racing Club (Nr Banbury) on 4th December.

Shenington Karting Racing Club holds many fond memories for Alastair who was Shenington Junior Club Champion in 1994 and Superprix Team Captain and winner in 1995, 1996 and 1997 before he moved into car racing. His return to Karting this winter is in a bid to keep fit in the way racing drivers prefer – by racing!  “I am really looking forward to racing at Shenington again” says Alastair “and meeting up with a lot of old friends and on-track rivals! Over winter I will be keeping fit as I prepare for next year’s car racing season and Karting keeps that competitive edge keen as well as being a lot of fun.”

Racing his Alastair Rushforth Motorsport prepared Venom Avante Chassis with Game Racing prepared TKM Extreme engine, Alastair is hoping for a top ten finish in his first Kart outing for many years. This year Alastair had a stunning 100% winning record in the CSCC Tin Tops races he contended and is now seeking sponsorship to enable him to contend the 2006 Britcar Production S1 series.

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Chase The Champ   (29/11)

There is now a competition for the fastest wet time around the Sutton Circuit with a fantastic prize up for grabs. The winner will have a chance to get taken around the Donington race circuit at high speed by a professional race driver in a Ferrari! You will get a real feel for what racing drivers go through every lap driving at speed and on the limit of adhesion. This will be one roller coaster ride you won't want to miss so get down to the Sutton circuit before 11th December and Chase The Champ. Show your class of driving and you could be in for the thrill of your life.

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2005 Rotax Max World Finals   (29/11)

Some fantastic racing saw a spectacular end to the Rotax Max Grand Finals for the 2005 season last Saturday. The beautiful Malaysian island of Langkawi turned on an afternoon to remember for competitors and spectators alike. Every final did not disappoint, as the racing unfolded to see who would be crowned the Senior, Junior and RM1 Champions for the year.

A brief race report can be found here.

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Gearbox Kart GP   (28/11)

2006 will see the return of Gearbox Karting’s greatest annual event "The MSA British Superkart GP". After a three year absence the British Superkart Racing Club announced the Grand Prix event at the International Kart Show at Donington Park. The event will take place on the very popular Cadwell Park full circuit on 21st, 22nd & 23rd July 2006, and six different classes will feature in the Grand Prix event. Others may be added later. They are:- Division 1 & 2 Superkarts, F250 National, F125 Open, F125 ICC and F210 National.

It is expected that overseas drivers will take part in the Division 1 & 2 Grand Prix events. The plan is to offer a day’s testing on the Friday with racing taking place on the Saturday and Sunday. The event will include free and timed practice plus heats, a pre-final and GP races for each of the classes.

Ian Rushforth, the Competitions Manager for the British Superkart Racing Club said; "This is a great day for Gearbox Kart racers up and down the country as it brings back a very much loved event. It is hoped we can start to build the event back up to something like it was in its heyday when we all loved to compete at Silverstone. The event will really suit those gearbox drivers that do not want to race regularly on Long Circuit but may fancy a crack at their Long Circuit counterparts just once in the year at this very special event. It’s not just about racing its going to be a real weekend occasion. I really hope that drivers will get behind this concept of an all kart event and support us to the hilt as it is taking a fair commitment financially on our part to put the meeting on."

Ian Rushforth can be contacted via e-mail at the British Superkart Association or visit the BSA website.

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Cystic Fibrosis Kart   (28/11)

2004 BDKC Junior runner-up, James Canham who this year graduated to the Senior Rotax category launched his campaign for Cystic Fibrosis awareness at Ellough Park Raceway on Saturday 26th November. The weather was cold, dark and wet however this did not dampen down the good nature of members of the BDKC who donated £63.86 to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust for research in to Cystic Fibrosis, the UK’s most common life threatening disease from birth which currently has no cure and a life expectancy of just 31 years for carriers of the faulty CF gene. Since James started the campaign in aid of a close friend who has Cystic Fibrosis he has raised over £166 to date, with £102 being donated online via www.cfkart.co.nr. His aim is to raise £9,000 in 12 months, a high target but achievable.

The kart was on display throughout the race day with fact sheets on Cystic Fibrosis available and the kart certainly got plenty of attention with its eye catching colour scheme. James will race promoting the Cystic Fibrosis Trust throughout the 2006 season and will have the kart at public displays spreading awareness of CF and hopefully raising much needed money for research in to CF. A big thank you to all at BDKC for their efforts on Saturday and to everyone who has donated.

For more information on James’ racing and aspirations visit www.cfkart.co.nr, or for more information about the Cystic Fibrosis Trust visit www.cftrust.org.uk.

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2006 Formula TKM Regulations   (25/11)

Tal-Ko Racing, organisers of the Formula TKM 2 & 4 stroke classes, has released the 11th issue of their Regulations & Technical Guide for the categories. The 2006 guide contains the latest regulations for all of the TKM classes together with a wealth of information on how to set up the engines and keep them running at their peak.

Contained within the guide is also the engine fiche for the 2-stroke engine and technical detail such as the list of approved spark plugs for 2006. The bound guide book costs just £4.50 and is available from Tal-Ko and from Lodgemark Press.

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BRDC Stars & Formula TKM Join Forces   (25/11)

BRDC Stars of Tomorrow is joining forces with Formula TKM to bring a new breed of club based racing to the UK launching the search for the TKM SuperStar.

This is an entirely new concept to encourage more racing at club level which then offers drivers the chance to go on and take part in top level televised events. The series will start in 2006 and will be open to every Junior and Intermediate age Formula TKM driver in the country, though prime entries will come via their local clubs.

It works in two stages. First, clubs right around the country will be invited to hold races within their own club events from which the top drivers will qualify through to the Stars series. The top ‘champion’ driver from each club will get a free entry. Then at the first four rounds of the Stars Championship a number of local clubs will be invited to send along their top nominated drivers in Junior and Inter category to take part. If there are any places left open on the grid then drivers from other areas can benefit from an entry. At the fifth round in Genk, Belgium, any UK driver in the classes can take part subject to having a National A licence providing an exciting opportunity for youngsters to race abroad. Finally at Buckmore next September will come the final shoot out where the top drivers from each of the five rounds will be invited along to race for the prestigious title of TKM SuperStar.

At the Stars events the grids will be made up of a mixture of Junior and Intermediate drivers racing alongside each other for the same trophies. With their performance so close it will make for great racing. The format of the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow events will be testing on Friday, followed by racing on Saturday and Sunday (heats and finals on both days). All events are covered by an exciting TV package.

The BRDC Stars of Tomorrow series hope that this format will enable those club TKM drivers who are unable, because of budget or time restraints, to commit to a full season of top level events to enjoy racing at prestigious televised events. Says Stars of Tomorrow organiser Carolynn Hoy: “We believe this creates an exciting new opportunity for youngsters in these classes and puts in place a new style of racing which will benefit everyone including local clubs.”

Alan Turney, owner of the Formula TKM classes, added: “It is a great boost for the classes and these young drivers. The competition will be very strong and I am sure the final shoot out will be a great race. We must thank Stars for their innovative approach.”

Full details are available from BRDC Stars of Tomorrow at British Racing Drivers Club, Silverstone Circuit, Northants, NN12 8TN. Tel 01327 850939 or 01280 706906. E-mail: starsoftomorrow@brdc.co.uk

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MSA National Court   (23/11)

The Motor Sports Association National Court met on 8th November to hear three cases and made subsequent rulings on each, the following two concerned Karting.

The court suspended the competition licence of Cadet kart competitor Ben Palmer for 12 months, although this itself was suspended for 12 months pending the future conduct of his father Paul Palmer and that of anyone associated with his team. The court ruled that Mr Palmer had displayed abusive behaviour towards officials after they asked to inspect his son’s engine at a kart race meeting at the Kimbolton circuit on 9th October. The court also found Mr Palmer guilty of disobeying officials’ instructions, although agreed that no technical infringement could be proved as officials had returned the engine before inspecting it. Mr Palmer was ordered to pay £750 towards costs.

Appeal Hearings - Mr Ronald Tebbs appealed on behalf of his son Ryan Tebbs who was excluded from a kart race at Buckmore Park on 25th September where officials found his engine did not meet the technical regulations. The National Court upheld the exclusion. The appeal fee was forfeit and Mr Tebbs was ordered to pay £250 towards costs.

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Chase The Champ   (22/11)

The ‘Chase The Champ’ event (12th Nov – 11th Dec) is now well into its second week and there’s been many visitors to the Sutton Circuit near Broughton Astley in Leicestershire, either showing their karting skills, or just trying their luck with a few laps of the track in support of the fund raising efforts for young leukaemia sufferer Dean Burbank.

Local European F3 Champion Jamie Green (pictured left) has set a fast lap time and over the past days karters and non-karters have been racing around the 620 metre track attempting to get their effort onto the “Top Gear” style leaderboard. One recent visitor was Team Zanardi driver Martin Plowman who managed to break 39 seconds on his first lap, and finishing with a best time of 38.134 seconds.

This week will see Gary Catt and Ben Bishop at the circuit. Can they be the ones to beat Jamie Green, or can you? There are lots of prizes on offer and even if you don’t manage to put in a particularly fast lap you’ll have fun trying, and most importantly you will be supporting a worthy cause. It costs only £12 for 10 laps.

If you are at the International Kart Show at Donington this weekend then the Sutton Circuit is only about 40 minutes away. You’ll be very welcome and may just put yourself in line for one of the many prizes, but if you don’t quite manage it on track, get yourself, friends and family some raffle tickets at 50p each, or 5 for £2. The raffle prizes include a home cinema sound system, a Sainsbury’s hamper, a luxury Mercedes for the weekend and lots of autographed memorabilia including a DVD signed by everyone’s favourite commentator, Mr. Murray Walker.

There’s no excuse not to be a part of this fund raising event and help make a dream come true for 13 year old Dean, because if it really is impossible to get to the Sutton Circuit you can purchase raffle prize tickets by calling the circuit on 01455 287078.

Where to now?  The Sutton Circuit.  The Leaderboard.  The list of prizes.

News updates. (Thu.24/11 - AM). Ben Bishop (ARC Motorsports works driver) was down at the circuit on Tuesday with racing pal James Harridge (TKM Extreme). They used their first 10 laps to get used to the track and they both said they were shocked how technical the track was. On their second Chase The Champ 10 laps they started getting to grips with things and had laps times around the 38.5 mark. When they came in they took time to talk to each other and shared notes, and both agreed that this circuit requires smoothness and sensitivity almost like an F1 car. Next time out the lap times really came down with James showing a class of driving so smooth it looked like Mika Hakkinen was on the circuit! James Harridge set a personal best of 38.141 and Ben Bishop’s best time was 38.401. Ben said he could not quite get the hairpin corner right and that’s where I lost my time, I wanted to get back out and was confident of getting it right but the conditions had changed on the track due to winter frost and I ran out of time, but I will be back and will beat Jamie Green!
Best times were: James Harridge (TKM Extreme) 38.141 seconds and Ben Bishop (ARC Motorsport works driver) 38.401 seconds.

Ben Bishop		Ben and James		James Harridge

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Biland Engines Discounted   (18/11)

For a strictly limited period Saxon Motorsport are offering the Biland SA250 motor for £1600 instead of the normal retail price of £2250. Also, they are offering a part exchange of £600 against any sealed and running Rotax Max engines. The offer includes Senior and Junior motors and for anyone wanting to compete in the F6 Championship with a Junior they are offering to cover the cost of a year’s entry fees as well!

For more details call Saxon on 01432 350157, or e-mail: carol@saxon-motorsport.co.uk

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Guy Tipping   (18/11)

It is with great sorrow we announce the sudden death of Guy Tipping.  29th October 1959 - 10th November 2005.

Guy was a good driver in his day and a respected and valuable member of the Shark Motorsport team in recent years, and well known to a large number of people in the karting world.

His funeral will take place at 12:00 on Friday 25th November at the Aldershot Crematorium, Guildford Rd, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU12 4BP, and his wife Lorna, and children Charlotte and Ben, extend their welcome to anyone that knew Guy.

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Personalised High-Speed Calendars   (18/11)

Looking for a Christmas present with a difference? Or a personalised gift for your sponsors? For a limited period, Chris Hartley Media is producing stylish, personalised desktop calendars for racers and racing teams. Incorporating photography of you or your driver in action, the calendars can be personalised with your name, web address/contact details and any logos. You can even choose the colour scheme.

Presented in a CD calendar case (exterior dimensions: 10 x 126 x 142mm), your calendar will feature a front page plus 12 further calendar pages - one for every month of the year, each containing a different photograph of you or your driver. All you need to do is provide the 12 photographs that you want to feature in the calendar. You can either e-mail these as individual JPEG files, or post them to us for scanning (all photos will be safely returned to you with the completed calendars).

To view some samples of the calendar pages, an example of a CD calendar case and a price list, please click here; or visit www.chrishartley.org and enter the media pages. You will find a link to the 2006 calendar offer on the homepage.

For further information or to place your order, contact Chris Hartley on 07793 004056 or email info@chrishartley.org

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Historic Race Series   (18/11)

Launching at the International Kart Show at Donington Park, over the weekend of 26th & 27th November, is the British Historic Kart Racing Championship for 100cc and Gearbox Karts. The 8 round non-MSA series kicks off at East Kirkby, Lincolnshire on 2nd April next year. A spokesman for the series said; "We had a successful pilot event earlier this month at Red Lodge, since when the regulations have been honed and 3 categories created catering for Karts manufactured up until 1982. With suitable Karts readily available for less than £200 and racing on second-hand tyres retrieved from the scrap bins at MSA meetings, this has to be the cheapest form of Karting anywhere."

The series is affiliated to the non racing Historic & Classic Kart Club and details can be found on their stand at both the Donington and London Kart Shows." For more details click here.

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Win £250 Or A Karting Course   (18/11)

The Association of British Kart Clubs need two new logos and if you can come up with the best design then you'll win £250, or a Protrain karting course!

One design is to replace the existing ABkC logo and the other will be used to promote the sport's 50th anniversary in 2006. See the December issue of Karting magazine or visit www.kartingmagazine.com/competition.asp for full details, but hurry as entries have to be in by the 30th November.

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Winter Series At Camberley Kart Club   (17/11)

Don’t let winter get you down! Go and have some fun racing in a 4 round winter series at Camberley Kart Club. There are all the normal CKC classes, with the best 3 rounds to count. Points for Heats and the Finals.

Nominal registration fee of £10. So don’t get rusty over the next 4 months, get along to Blackbushe. This technically challenging track will keep you race fit, and ready for your National series in the summer. So don’t miss out, come on down say Camberley KC, you will be very welcome.

Saturday 26th November is the first round so time is short. Contact CKC Chair and Competition Secretary Mrs. Elaine Buxton on 01276 512691 for all the details, or visit www.camberley-kartclub.co.uk now.

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Wildtracks – Club Race Meeting   (16/11)

Wildtracks, nr Newmarket in Suffolk are running their 2nd club race meeting on Sunday 20th November. The circuit will be catering for Cadets, Junior TKM, Minimax, Junior Rotax, Senior TKM, 100cc & Senior Rotax classes. Although a non MSA circuit the club will run in accordance to the 2005 blue book.

To download a race entry form click here or alternatively contact the circuit on 01638 750496.

The circuit is also open for owner drivers & corporate bookings on most days of the week, “business as usual” is the message from the new management team.

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International Court Of Appeal Decision   (16/11)

The FIA International Court of Appeal met in Paris on Monday, 7th November, 2005, in order to examine the appeal introduced by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile against the decision of the Italian National Court of Appeal concerning Kart #129, competitor Jean-Yves Berthon, driver Nathanaël Berthon, following the event at La Conca run from 18th to 21st August 2005 and counting towards the 2005 CIK-FIA European Intercontinental A Championship.

Having heard the explanations of both parties and having examined the various documents and other evidence, the Court partially quashed the decision of the Italian National Court of Appeal. As a result, Kart #129 was excluded from the pre final run at La Conca for violation of Articles 1.3, 4.2 and 10 of the Karting Technical Regulations and 2.9.b of the General Prescriptions of the International Sporting Code.

The decision confirms James Calado as CIK-FIA European ICA Champion.

The International Court of Appeal was presided over by Mr José Macedo e Cunha (Portugal), and composed of Mr Harry Duijm (Netherlands), Mr Christian Grosjean (Switzerland) and Mr Vassilis Koussis (Greece).  The full text of the International Court of Appeal's decision is available, on request, from the secretariat of the FIA International Court of Appeal in Paris.

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Win A Dyno   (15/11)

SportDevices are offering you a chance to win a complete SP1 Engine Dyno (RRP £3500) capable of dynoing engines up to 50hp. The competition is in the form of a quiz with a simple motorsport related multiple choice question.

Quiz entry tickets are on sale now and available by e-mailing quiz@sportdevices.co.uk or call Alistair on 07836 217193. The winning quiz ticket will be drawn at random on Sunday 15th January at the Autosport International Show, and there will also be 10 runner-up prizes of a £50 Dyno voucher. The winning numbers will appear on this website and in Karting magazine.

The dyno can be viewed on the SportDevices website and will be on display at the International Kart Show at Donington, the London Kart Show at Sandown and the Autosport International Show at the NEC together with the latest in Eddy Current and Inertia Dynos and Rolling Roads so go along and discuss your requirements.

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Chase The Champ   (15/11)

The Sutton Circuit located near Broughton Astley in Leicestershire have a ‘Chase The Champ’ event running until 11th December, and there’s some fantastic prizes to be won.

In support of young Dean Burbank who was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the a