Irish Kart Gran' Prix
With Nutts Corner now in private ownership, the Ulster Kart Club would like to confirm that the Irish Kart Gran' Prix will take place on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August. It For the first time in four years Superkart 125 & 250 will be included on the programme, which combine with the ongoing improvements to the circuit should make for one of the best events in many years. Further information will be posted when available.

The club would also like to advise Formula MiniMax competitors that there will be a separate class included on the programme, with several English drivers already expressing an interest in entering. However drivers should be aware that subject to the number entries it has yet to be confirmed whether there will separate races or if the race along with Formula Junior Max. Further information will be posted when available.

Entries for this event should be sent to:
Mr. Gordon Duncan, Nutts Corner Motorsports Centre, Dundrod Road, Nutts Corner, Crumlin, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland, BT29 4SR.

Bryan King
Superkart 250 competitor Bryan King passed away on Thursday morning after his battle with cancer.

Bryan has been a well known & respected Superkart racer for close to 30 years, during which time he had considerable success as a driver, claiming virtually every title available to him in Irish karting. More importantly over the past few he put his vast experience to use to introduce, support & guide so many others in Superkart racing.

He was planning to run young Stephen McCrea in SuperKart 250 next year & with Stephen's untimely death only just 10 days before, Superkarting here in Ireland. has been given a massive blow.

As one of the original member of the 'Ballyclare Mafia' he was affectionately known as 'The God Father' due to his senior status within this elite group of racers, he will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have meet & known him.

Bryan once said to me "I have made a lot of friends in Karting & I don't think I have made any enemies", there would be few who would disagree with this.

On behalf of everyone involved in karting the most sincere sympathy to Bryan's wife Linda, his parents Bertie & Beatrice & his entire family circle.

Race in Peace #15.

Stephen McCrea
Superkart125 competitor Stephen McCrea was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident in Larne on Monday evening. Stephen has been racing for the around six years & in recent seasons had become one of our leading competitors when the 125's appeared on the short circuits. At his last race in Portrush in May he was unfortunate to come away with only one victory, when he easily could have won all of his races. A protégé of Bryan King, Stephen will be remembered by his fellow competitors as strong but fair racer on the track, while off the track he was a well known & respected member of the 'Ballyclare Mafia'.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to his entire family circle.

Race in Peace.


Class Structure for 2009
As part of NIKA's strategic plan for karting, which aims to improve the sport within the province over for the next 5 years, a review of all classes currently racing in the province has been undertaken. Following a committee meeting on the 28th April 2008, as part of this review, the following decisions have been taken & fully endorsed by each of the clubs, regarding the classes for 2009:-

2009 Junior classes (Honda Cadet, Formula Cadet, MiniMax & KF3)
After the completion of the 2008 summer season, Junior Max, will no longer be included within the SR's for events. For the reminder of the year MiniMax are welcome to entry races & compete along with Junior Max, however at this stage it is unlikely that either a Ulster Cup or NI Championship would be awarded, only individual prizes for each event.

2009 Senior classes (TKM Extreme, World Formula, Pro Kart, KF2, Rotax Max & Rotax 177)
Phased changes to the senior class structure is envisaged for the 2009 season ahead of a full introduction in 2010. This review will take place over the next few months, in consultation with the competitors & clubs. Any changes for 2009 will be announced to give competitors sufficient time to prepare for the 2009 season.

No new classes will be introduced at any level in the province in the immediate future & not without the full approval of all 4 clubs & NIKA.

These changes, along any future changes, have been taken in order to stabilise & hopefully improve the classes, for current competitors, while also making it more accessible for newcomers, all which will safeguard the long term future of the sport in the province.

Competitors are invited to offer any constructive comments they may have on the future class structure, in writing, to any of the club committee members or directly to the NIKA committee.

Formula Cadet (after Round 6)
1. Scott Finlay 748pts
2. William McCullough 618
3. Jamie Grant 615

Honda Cadet
1. Jessica Orr 776pts
2. Ronan Mulrine 634

3. Davin Orr 616

Formula Junior Max
1. Kyle Price 715pts
2. Jonathan McMullan 664
3. Stuart Coey 643

Formula TKM Extreme
1. Aaron Newell 696pts
2. Daniel Burgoyne 521
3. Maurice Roberts 475

World Formula
1. Darren Saunderson 428pts
2. Mark Overend 394
3. Paul Prentice 317

Honda Pro Kart
1. Robert Devenney 697pts
2. Jason Morrow 528
3. Vincent McCaffery 439

Formula Rotax 177
1. Peter Crossen 536pts
2. Marcus Murphy 315
3. Gary Ross 235

Formula Rotax Max
1. Johnny Cylde 676pts
2. Alan Davidson 549
3. James Dawson 489

Formula SuperKart 125 (after Round 6)
1. James Irvine 510pts
2. Noel Lindsay 504
3. Justin Doherty 156

Formula SuperKart 250 (after Round 4)
1. Mark Montgomery 568pts
2. Stephen McAdam 548pts
3. Liam Fox 520