Round 1 – Three Sisters
An excellent grid rolled up for the start of the 2019 Championship in conjunction with the coveted 210 ‘O’ plate. We were greeted by storm Hannah for Saturday’s practice which at 3 o’clock unfortunately was brought to an early close due to the amount standing water on the track – the weather was honestly foul, talking of which a lady duck nearly came to a very sticky end but good news for all you vegetarians out there she was taken to the vets but not allowed back until the Monday!!
This year welcomes back drivers Chris Jarvis, Lionel and Aaron Sifleet Chris Callaghan and Pete Masson.
A huge thank you must be extended to Manchester and Buxton Kart Club for bending over backwards to accommodate our needs and offering a choice of track (Valley or Club) for race day. Drivers were given the opportunity to practice on both. A vote was taken and the Valley Circuit was very popular the thought being that it was longer, interesting and more challenging for an ‘O’ plate meeting.
Heat 1
The weather thankfully had improved greatly as Father and Son Lionel and Aaron Sifleet hosted the front row. As the lights changed to green for the first time L. Sifleet made the best start followed by Luke Plain to lead the pack into the first corner. Cox and Hancock were forced together but managed to disentangle to play catch up. Shortly afterwards Whyte and Smith were spotted in the centre of the track with badly damaged outfits potentially putting them out for the rest of the day. On lap 2 Luke Plain took the lead from L. Sifleet, A Sifleet was 3rd, Callaghan 4th, Lee Plain, 5th and Woodward 6th. By lap 5 Lee Plain was up to 3rd. Callaghan spectacularly took an early bath as he hit the only remaining puddle on the circuit covering himself and the kart with very muddy cold water but would still manage to finish in 6th. As the flag fell on seemingly a game of skittles Fowler in jest lodged an objection to so many people hitting him at any one time!!
We are definitely not used to so many out on track but it sure looks good.
1st Luke Plain, 2nd Lionel Sifleet, 3rd Lee Plain (setting a new lap record of 47.11) 4th Aaron Sifleet, 5th Adam Woodward, 6th Chris Callaghan
Heat 2
Lee Plain, A. Sifleet and L. Sifleet shot straight to the front from rear grid positions. Woodward jumped into the mix by separating the Sifleets’. Lee Plain led the race from start to finish. L. Sifleet claimed 2nd on lap 3 whilst Woodward remained firmly in 3rd. A. Sifleet succumbed to mechanical gremlins on lap 5 promoting D. Bury to 4th. Green and Fowler were having a ding dong battle with Luke Plain and at times looked too close for comfort.
1st Lee Plain, 2nd Lionel Sifleet, 3rd Adam Woodward, 4th Dan Bury, 5th James Green and 6th Luke Plain
It was noted that in the true spirit of the 210 fraternity Dan Bury went round again to rescue his father to give him a push start then continue round to help a stricken Cox. We watched with sympathy as spectator Stuart Henry had run around with a trolley for Cox only to arrive feet from him to see him fire up and drive off. Henry had the pleasure of watching the next race in the middle of the track!!
Heat 3
With the camaraderie that befits the Challenge both Tom Whyte and Tom Smith had their karts repaired by other supporters to join the grid for the last heat. Woodward made the best start to glimpse the lead before Lee Plain took over at the front. Lap2 saw Luke Plain claim 2nd spot, Woodward 3rd, Perkins 4th, D. Bury 5th and T. Bury 6th. Chaos nearly ensued behind as L. Sifleet slowed causing Whyte, Fowler, Cox, Green and A. Sifleet to take avoiding action. By lap 5 Lee Plain had extended his lead, D. Bury was up to 4th; Whyte had Perkins 5th in his sight and passed him on the next lap.
1st Lee Plain, 2nd Luke Plain, 3rd Adam Woodward, 4th Dan Bury, 5th Tom Whyte, 6th Rob Perkins
Final
Brothers Lee and Luke Plain hosted the front row for the final. Lee broke his own lap record accomplished earlier in the day on lap 4 and set a new one of 46.69. They both maintained their positions for 9 laps of the 10 lap final until Luke burnt through the back of the piston and handed 2nd place to L. Sifleet who had raced a steady race in 3rd having demoted Woodward on lap 2 to 4th. Perkins made good progress after the unfortunate demise of Woodward on lap 4 and maintained 4th until the last lap where he picked up 3rd spot as Luke Plain fell along the wayside. Callaghan progressed extremely well up the score board picking off driver by driver each lap to finish 4th. D. Bury had a mediocre race with his father Tony Bury (having a great race) and starting from 15th on the grid passing him on lap 6 to finish just in front of him in 5th. Fowler was doing well in 6th place until the last lap and with a lapse of concentration he spun just before Lunar Bend allowing both Callahan and the Burys through. Whyte knowing he had Hancock and Masson behind him overcooked it after Lunar Bend feet away from the finish line, but was just able to control the spin to keep his 8th place. Hancock who had had a disastrous start made up a few places to finish 9th whilst Masson feeling the stresses and strains of not racing for a few years completed the top 10. A special mention must be made of Jarvis and Stone (Uncle and Nephew) who were having a private family battle. Just after the start line on lap 6 Jarvis made an attempt to stop Stone from an overtaking bid Stone not being phased at all blasted past sending his uncle wide and out of the race. (No team orders there then!!!!
Lee Plain came in victorious sealing the 2019 210 ‘0’ Plate Champion title with a comfortable lead.
1st Lee Plain, 2nd Lionel Sifleet, 3rd Rob Perkins,
4th Chris Callaghan, 5th Tony Bury, 6th Dan Bury,
7th Paul Fowler, 8th Tom Whyte, 9th Neil Hancock and 10th Pete Masson
Congratulations to Lee Plain 2019 210 ‘O’ Plate Champion