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Hit and Riss’

Hit and Riss’
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Proving that this year’s SSM Super One series will be a close contest all the way to the final weekend, Strawberry

Racing’s talented squad experienced mixed fortunes at Little Rissington (8/9 August).

Fresh from his victory at the Oxfordshire circuit just seven days before, Axel Charpentier was in sparkling form. Having been

pipped to pole position in timed qualifying by his team-mate and newly-crowned Kart Masters champion, Kiern Jewiss, the

Frenchman aced his heats to claim P1 for the first Mini Max final. Jewiss lined up three rows back on P7, after a tougher time

than would normally be expected during his races. Connor McCarthy sat poised to turn around his frustrating time in

qualifying and the heats from row eleven.

Charpentier completed a perfect lights-to-flag victory to underline his confidence and form, whilst Jewiss also demonstrated

his star quality with an assured drive to 3rd. Similarly, McCarthy picked his way forward to complete the pre-final in 12th place.

Maximising the set-ups given to them by the team, Kiern and Axel built up a gap over the chasing pack. With four laps to go

the pair’s private duel had intensified with both drivers taking it in turns to lead. However, a small mistake by Axel gave Kiern

the chance he was looking for and he passed the Frenchman with two minutes to go. At this point, their pursuers had caught

up them and in the battle for victory, setting up a thrilling finale. As it was, Charpentier was pipped at the very last corner for

2nd, while Jewiss drove perfectly to deliver the win.

McCarthy raced hard for a top ten finish but was denied on the penultimate lap, taking the chequered flag in 11th spot.

Strawberry’s Junior Max drivers were a potent force in qualifying, with Josh Skelton sealing pole. Jack Martin enjoyed his best

performance of the season with 3rd, while 2015 Kart Masters winner Tom Gamble placed 9th and championship protagonist

Jack McCarthy showed how close the field was by setting the 12th-fatest time in a session where all 27-kart field were barely

separated by more than half a second.

The heats shook everything up again, with Gamble 5th in the intermediate standings, with Skelton 6th, Martin 8th and McCarthy

12th again. A similar result followed in the first final with Tom and Josh inside the top ten, while the two Jacks hovered just

outside but in close contention for the main final.

A frantic start saw Josh pushed back two places in the opening moments and down two more by lap four. Gamble lost six

places in the opening lap, but Jack Martin was able to hold his bobbing around the upper order of the midfield like a cork

during the early phase of the race. His namesake, McCarthy, also seemed to survive the initial skirmishes, but would find

himself losing ground as the race wore on.

Indeed, a valiant performance from Gamble was denied a worthy finish, when he over-committed himself at the dog-leg and

crashed out. Skelton’s ultimate reward for a rumbustious drive was a hatful of valuable points for his eventual 7th place.

Arguably, Man-of-the-Moment, Luke Knott has been one of the most exciting drivers to watch in the Senior Max class. With

two Super One victories already, Luke again carried the fight to championship-leader, Sam Marsh. Fastest in qualifying, Knott

lined up at the front of the grid for the first final, following strong showings in the heats.

Connor Hall continued his impressive graduation from the Junior to Senior ranks with a third row starting place, while James

Johnson, in only his second event since switching to the team, emerged from the heats with P6 on the grid. Opening round-

winner Gary Donnelly was close behind, lining up 8th on the grid.

As a spectacle, the first final failed to live up to its billing. The top three remained unchanged throughout, with Knott finishing

where he started. Johnson netted a fine 4th, ahead of Donnelly in 5th and Hall 6th.

Knowing that, after the first final, it was important to get to the front of the race as soon as possible, Luke took the lead two

tours into the twenty-three lap main final. With all the drama unfolding behind him, he eased away to open an unbeatable

lead.

Not even waiting that long, Gary had made up two positions in the opening lap but from there, with so few overtaking

opportunities on the track, ultimately led home a Strawberry triumvirate in 4th, 5th (Hall) and 6th (Johnson) respectively.

For more information about the complete range of Tony Karts, OTK Race Wear and your nearest stockist, visit

www.strawberryracing.co.uk, call 0114 288 9933, or email info@strawberryracing.co.uk

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David Martin-Janiak Motorsports has always been a passion for me, I've raced in Karting and now I have my own Motorsports news website, so i can help other racers convey their passion to the world!

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