CIK European Superkart Championships - Round 2

Northern Ireland's Trevor Roberts came to the rescue of the 2009 CIK European Superkart Championship at Autodrom, Most in the Czech Republic last weekend (5-7 June). The championship will now be decided at the Rizla event at Assen, Holland on 07-09 August.

There was the fear that the championship might be all over before the final 2 rounds. Gavin Bennett, the 2007 champion, had won both opening rounds in Magny Cours, France in April, and he managed to pass Lee Harpham on the last lap in Autodrom Most, Cz to win round 3 and keep a 100% record in the championship.

Even better for Bennett, his closest rival, the 2008 champion Peter Elkmann from Germany, had a big end failure just 500 metres from the chequered flag when lying 3^rd and so he scored no points for the non finish. Lee Harpham hung on to 2^nd place and Carl Hulme was third for an all British podium.

Victory for Bennett in Sunday's round 4 race would all but clinch the title. However former world champion, Trevor Roberts from Lurgan, Northern Ireland had other ideas.

Bennett was not so fast in race two and Roberts took the lead on lap 4 at about the time Guido Kleinemeyer was passing Bennett for 3^rd place. Peter Elkmann and Guido Kleinemeyer had a good battle with Kleinemeyer getting the advantage over his fellow German. Bennett looked to be heading for 4^th or 5^th, but on lap 10 his chain snapped, and he did not finish the race.

Roberts went on to record a good win in front of the 2 Germans. Elkmann's 3^rd place, means he still has championship hopes as do 8 other drivers including Trtevor Roberts, plus the favourite, Bennett.

Roberts victory was no more than he deserved. He had been consistently fast on his Viper Racing Anderson/BRC all weekend, and was 2^nd quickest to defending champion Elkmann in the first qualifying session. Lee Harpham and Gavin Bennett went quicker on Saturday morning's 2^nd qualifying session but Roberts would be handily placed with a second row start.

In fact he was right up with the front runners from the start and crossed the line in 4^th place after lap one. He was quicker than Elkmann and on the first turn of lap two moved to overtake. Unfortunately, Elkmann, unaware of the move, crossed his line and clipped the nose cone. With the aerodynamics distorted, Roberts slipped back and eventually finished 18^th.

Elkmann came to see Roberts after the race to enquire what had happened. The former world champion was sporting enough to exonerate Elkmann from any blame, and simply focussed on Sunday's race - which he duly won.

MSA / Super 1 Championships - 22nd & 23rd August
The UKC has received confirmation from Super 1 to allow a Formula Cadet support race to compete alongside their British Championship colleagues. Entry for this event will be invitation only to the top 28 drivers, from North or South, in the Ulster Cup Series on the completion of Round 4 on the 26th July. More details will be issued closer to the event.

Rotax Max - 2009
NIKA are pleased to confirm that deal has been agreed for both Formula Mini Max & Formula Rotax Max to use MOJO tyres for the 2009 season. Final details on the arrangement are still being agreed, including price & supply. At this time it is envisaged that a fixed price will be agreed, with the tyres being available from Northern Ireland traders only, although this is subject to confirmation. The new regulations will come into force at the opening race of the summer season on the 14th March 2009, at Nutts Corner & as previously announced there will be no transition period for using the current tyres. MOJO tyres will NOT be permitted during any of the remaining Winter Series events.

Formula MiniMax: Slicks - MOJO D1 - Wets - MOJO W2
Formula Rotax Max: Slicks - MOJO D2 - Wets - MOJO W2