FORD TAKES THE WIN BUT BENNETT GETS THE POINTS -MSA BRITISH SUPERKART CHAMPIONSHIP & MSA BRITISH SUPERKART GRAND PRIX

Photo Credit

Nick Purdie

DONINGTON PARK 5^th JUNE 2016

Gary James Reporting

Due to a handful of drivers competing in the new European Mono Cup, it was decided to have an additional qualifying session and include the MSA Championship points race in with the F250 National class Grand Prix. After their success in the earlier European races it was no surprise to see Jordan Ford and Gavin Bennett line up on the front row of the grid. MSA Championship leader Jack Layton had used the non-championship races to dial in the set-up of his Anderson chassis and headed row 2. Toby Davis had also used the ‘test’ races to set up the Viper engine and qualified fourth. After problems with pistons earlier in the season, Andy Bird had two fourths in the non-championship races and put the Raider Gas Gas onto the third row of the grid. He should have been joined by Paul Platt. But the four-time champion was excluded and pushed to the back of the grid for running carbon fibre bodywork that was legal in the European Mono Cup but illegal in the British series. His place on the third row was taken by Dan Clark who was now out in the single cylinder class after completing his twin cylinder races.

When the lights changed it was Layton who made the best start to lead into Redgate with Ford just edging out Bennett as they turned into the corner. Further back there was confusion when Tom Hatfield received a whack from behind which tipped him into team mate Barry Weston. The two Parker Motorsport drivers were out while Ross Allen had to take avoiding action 

Bennett led across the line at the end of the opening lap with Ford and Layton close behind. Davis was in fourth spot from Bird with James O’Reilly in sixth but coming under pressure from Clark. James Hassall retired into the pits at the end of lap 1 when a water hose clip broke and dumped all the fluid. Ford took over at the front on lap 2 but couldn’t shake off his close rivals. 

At half distance the Australian visitor set the fastest lap of the race and a new record in a bid to break Bennett. But the reigning MSA Champion wouldn’t let him get away. It wasn’t until they encountered traffic and Bennett had gear selection problems due to a broken engine bolt that Ford could eke out a gap. After 10 laps he crossed the line to win by 1.639s. His trip to the UK had been rewarding and he would be returning to Australia with a new Anderson DEA and the GP plates. Bennett praised his close rival for his driving and was happy to take maximum points as the Aussie was not registered in the championship. Layton couldn’t live with the pace up front and dropped back in the closing stages, safe in the knowledge that a podium position was his. 

Fourth place was hotly contested between Clark and the two Viper drivers, Davis and O’Reilly. Davis held the spot with two laps to go but on the final lap Clark moved ahead. At the Melbourne Hairpin for the final time Davis dived down the inside, but couldn’t make the move stick and Clark held him off to the flag. Paul Platt had charged through from the back of the grid and was up to 12^th place at the end of lap 1. He caught and passed Andy Bird just after half distance when his Gas Gas started to lose power. On the final lap Platt dived inside O’Reilly at the Melbourne Hairpin to snatch sixth spot. However, he was then excluded from the results due to the carbon fibre bodywork and the place was handed back to O’Reilly.

Results (10 laps)

1 Jordan Ford (Anderson DEA) 

2 Gavin Bennett (Anderson DEA) 

3 Jack Layton (Anderson DEA) 

4 Dan Clark (Anderson Redspeed Gas Gas)

5 Toby Davis (Anderson Viper SK250S)

6 James O’Reilly (PVP Viper SK250S)

Fastest Lap Ford 1m 31.001s (98.39mph)  

MSA British Superkart Championship Points (after 7 rounds)

1 Jack Layton 225pts

2 Gavin Bennett 196

3 Dan Clark 187

4 Ross Allen 175

5 James O’Reilly 170

6 James Hassall 143

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