Karting Korner

1 - They're Back!

Last month I was depressing you all with the news that Slipstream in Camberley had closed due to the lack of a venue. Well, as of the 10th of August, Slipstream Racing will be taking over the Reading Trail Park circuit. This is a 650 metre outdoor track and having now been there and tried it (see below) I can thoroughly recommend it. For those of you who don't already know, Slipstream can be found on the Web at www.ukmotorsport.com/slipstream-racing/

2 - 24th July.

On the 24th July a team from Southern (Gavin Edmiston, Peter Noble and Mark Wyatt) - once again disguised as BP Oil - entered an open 2.5 hour endurance race at the Reading Trail Park. The event was organised by Slipstream Racing and seemed an ideal opportunity to check out what will be their new home.

As you can see, the circuit, though shorter than Sandown Park, (see further below) has all of the elements required for excellent racing. It also has a very slippery surface just waiting to catch out the unwary.

Despite being a relatively late entry, BP Oil found themselves running as car 2, (in a field of 18) which put them at the front for practice and gave them a clear track which they made good use of to immediately grab provisional pole - a position they held until the very last lap of practice when the Top Bananas suddenly shot from sixth place to the front.

At the rolling start, Top Bananas lost out badly when rows two and three charged through before the green light, leaving absolute chaos in their wake and a trip to the doghouse in front. Things soon settled down though and by lap 20 BP Oil were back in front, 4 secs ahead of Last Again, with Oily Rags, Snail Pace, Reefers Racers, Top Bananas and Wancars all still on the same lap.

Things continued to be tight at the top with BP Oil and Oily Rags never being more than a few seconds apart right up until the fuel stops started. BP were one of the first in for fuel and such was the pace they had set during qualifying and the race, all that was left in the tank was fumes. Another lap could have seen them (me) stranded out on the circuit.

By the time Oily Rags had fuelled, BP Oil were back in control - then the rain came and BP Oil really started making ground. Within 20 mins their lead increased to over 2 laps, which is how it stayed right to the end, BP Oil coming home comfortably ahead of Oily Rags, Scumbags, Mutts Nuts and all the other strangely named teams you get at these events.

As usual, with Slipstream, an excellent event, despite all of the equipment having to be transported to/from the track. Once they are properly installed, it looks like we will have a second outdoor venue.

3 - Sandown Park,

On the 15th August 1998, eleven teams lined up for the fifth event in the Southern Car Club Karting Trophy, the Sandown Karting Team Challenge.