Top kart stars prepare for season finale

LOCAL drivers in the Northern Ireland kart racing scene are still on a ‘high’ right now after the recent Muriel Holder supported 30th Irish Kart GP and with the double header finale to the tough UKC and Northern Ireland championships taking place tomorrow (Saturday) at Nutts Corner Circuit it will be a big end to a great season.

With the finale meeting also including the longest individual race of the year in the form of the Gary Ireland Memorial trophy race then there is still plenty at stake.

In the Pearce Guitars supported Cadets, there is a lot of activity and in Honda Cadet with GP champion Jack McGaughey from Glenavy in contention for the lead.

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The Henry Price Builders supported World Formula has surged ahead as the success story in the past two years. Peter Caldwell from Waringstown and David Lilburn from Dromore (Co.Down) are only five points apart which no doubt will see them in intense battle in the closing round. They both need to watch out for Dundrod’s Steven Stewart though who has progressed well all year and is now within three points of Lilburn to keep that third step on the podium a hot one right to the end.

The Richardson Design Bedrooms & Kitchens supported Senior Max class is producing great racing at present and up front it is Stuart Coey from Comber that has been the one to beat all year. A podium contender in the NI championships, both past and present, means he will be keen to stay out in front and his strong lead at present suggests he will remain the one to beat. Second is a whole different affair with David Irvine from Dromara and Portstewart’s Andrew Lynch almost on equal points and with GP champion Daniel Burgoyne from Belfast only a further five points adrift then the grand finale could see quite a shake up for second and third.

The 125cc Superkart class has had decent turnouts this season and up front it is Noel Lindsay from Hillsborough that leads them after some very strong results of recent.

The Division One class has seen Jonny Wilkinson from Newtownards have one of his best ever years. Consistent results all year have seen him take the class lead although Waringstown’s Richard Dewart is still applying pressure from second. GP champion Liam Fox from Hillsborough has missed a few rounds but still retains third overall although in reality he might not retain the class title this year.

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Racing this Saturday gets underway at 10am with the first of three heats per class. The finals will be after lunch with the big one of the day for the Gary Ireland Memorial Award being the last race of the day and quite a spectacle it should be with a capacity grid worth of racing on offer.

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