Feature News

Minister throw £100,000 at Motorsport

Scott strikes for Gold

Trevor Robert, Northern Ireland's Superkart Superstar

Achieve News

Rule Change - 29/04/08
Following some confusion over the opening few races of the season, all clubs have agreed to remove the regulation relating to "a competitor must complete a minimum of 50% a race distance to be classified as a finisher", with immediate effect. All competitors who take the start of race & who fail to finish will now receive points. As a safety requirement, all drivers are reminded that on track repairs will no longer be permitted. Confirmation of this amendment will be issued to competitors in 'final instructions' at each event. This change will only apply to non-gearbox competitors, superkart drivers will still have to complete a minimum of 50% to receive points.

Band of Brothers
Northern Ireland's Stirling brothers have made history by qualifying for the Bridgestone Cup at Lonato, near Lake Garda in Italy in October, the first time that three members of the same family have qualified for the prestigious race, at once.

Reigning British Open KF3 Champion, 14-year old Carl had already qualified after winning the first qualifying race at PFi in Lincolnshire on the 6th April but triumphed again at the second round on Sunday on the 4th May. In a thrilling final, Carl waited until the last lap to make his move for the lead and then held off his rivals to the chequered flag.

" On the last lap, we were three abreast running down the back straight. Afterwards, when I saw the time-sheets, I couldn't believe it - I was half a second a lap slower than the other two guys, but they were slowing each other up by battling so much that I was able to compete with them. It proves that it's not always the fastest man who wins! "

In the same race, younger brother, 13 year old Adam earned praise as he powered his way from 17th on the grid at the start to 6th at the finish and book his place for the race in Italy. "He drove a blinder" said a proud Carl.

Not to be outdone, it was 16-year old Craig's job to uphold the family honour in the KF2 class. After three tough qualifying heats, Craig started the final from 11th place on the grid but found that set-up changes by his Millennium team had transformed his kart. Carving his way up the order, Craig found himself in 4th place and pressuring Harvey for the remaining podium spot.

" There was absolutely nothing in it, in terms of our lap times" he explained afterwards. "On the last lap, I knew that I'd have one chance to make a move and make it stick. I sat on Jack's rear bumper as we ran down to the back of the circuit and went into the 'Complex' (of tight corners). I dived down his inside and then made my kart as wide as possible as we ran into the last chicane and onto the start/finish straight. "

Dad, Alan was understandably delighted with his sons' performance. "After Carl qualified by winning the first round, our main focus was to get Adam and Craig in the results to make sure that they qualified as well. I think its all credit to the boys (Adam and Craig) that they stuck to the task, despite difficult heat results and they each produced superb drives in their respective finals. They're going to Italy as three competitors, not to support just one driver."

by Adam Jones - www.100ccpr.co.uk

Super 1 - Round 1
There was a strong showing from local drivers at the opening round of the Super 1 Series for the newly introduced KF1, KF2 & KF3 classes. In KF3 Carl Stirling continued his recent run of form to take a 1st & 3rd, which puts him into the early series lead. Also showing well was Rikki Gordon with a 9th & 3rd, while Adam Stirling finished 16th & 9th & Stefan Lyttle failing to finish the second race after taking 12th in race 1. Our only representative in KF2, Craig Stirling took creditable 15th & 7th places. Raymie Eastwood showed his versatility by switching for KZ1 gearbox to the British championship KF1 & came home with an 11th & 14th.

Raymie Eastwood
Raymie Eastwood got his challenge for the ABKC National KZ1 off the best possible start with two second places at the opening round at Three Sisters, as part of the recent Stars of Tomorrow series. Having taken 3rd overall in the equivalent series for 125 ICC in 2007, Raymie is confident that he can improve on his performances & take the title this time around.

Carl Stirling
Carl Stirling has started the season in some style. In the newly introduced KF3 class the young Moira driver first took the Ulster Championship title at Nutts Corner over the Easter weekend. This was followed a few days later by victory, in difficult conditions,

at the prestigious British Open championships at the Three Sisters circuit in Wigan. Carl will now proudly run with the '0' plate for the rest of the year. Making it a double celebration for local drivers, Portglenone's Rikki Gordon took a fine third place. Carl continued his winning ways by sealing victory in the Bridgestone Cup Qualifying event at PF International. This now qualifies him for the Bridgestone Cup in Italy in October, where he will compete against the very best from across Europe. With such a competitive start to the year Carl will start as one of the favourites to take the overall Super 1 title, a series that kicks off this weekend. In a busy schedule, the following weekend will see Carl, along with his brother Adam, start their challenge for the Stars of Tomorrow title, the series which launched the career of Lewis Hamilton.

Trevor Roberts
Trevor Robert's got his challenge for the European Superkart title off to a fine start with a 4th & 5th place in the opening two rounds at the demanding Nogaro circuit in the South of France. Despite not being able to mount a serious challenge to race winners Damien Payart & Benjamin Mahe, Trevor's points haul over the weekend gives him confidence going into the next round that he can still challenge for the title. The next round of the series takes place on the 18th May at the Lausitzring circuit in Germany, within the prestigious German DTM programme, after which he will be heading to Bishopscourt for the UK Cup on the 7th June.

Shackleton Motorsport Festival
The best 2&4 wheel competitors in Ireland will assemble at Shackleton Barracks, Ballykelly, in Limavady from the 18th to 20th July 2008 for what will surely be a unique, must see motorsport event. Promoted by the Maiden City Motor Club & supported by Limavady Borough Council & KPL Utility Services , the event will bring every form of motorsport together in the same location, everything from rallying to bikes, karts to motocross, drifting to supermoto & much, much more. The plans are only in the preliminary stages at present & more details will issued when they are confirmed by the organizers.

However it can be confirmed that the Ulster Kart Club will run a kart meeting over the 3 days of a temporary circuit, with the winner in each class being awarded the prestigious 'NC' plate. The format for the weekends racing has yet to be agreed, however the club do intend to run all Northern Ireland classes, subject to minimum entries & including Formula SuperKart 125 & 250.