As the sun set over Melbourne’s Albert Park following Jenson Button’s fairytale victory in the opening Grand Prix of 2009, a similar drama was beginning to unfold ten thousand miles away on the Daytona International Circuit in Milton Keynes. The British Schools Karting Championship had arrived in town and the Buckinghamshire venue was playing host to the national final, which would see the competition go down to the wire between 34 teams from all over the UK.
The event marked the culmination of a championship fought out between 500 teams over 50 regional qualifying rounds, with 1,500 students representing their schools and colleges in a bid to become the fastest educational establishment in the country. Former karting ace Button would have felt right at home as the atmosphere grew ever more electrifying in the run up to the morning’s first practice session. Before the karts took to the track, however, race officials were responsible for ensuring all 102 drivers attended the all-important safety briefing. After all, competition would be fierce between the finalists, and with identical 60mph pro-karts across the field the racing was guaranteed to be close, fast and frantic.
Each team would contest six heats – with each of its three drivers competing in two of those races – and the squad with the highest points tally at the end of the day would be crowned champions. It was a tantalising prospect for all participants as the randomly ordered grid formed for the first ten-minute sprint to the chequered flag.
It was an exciting prospect, too, for the crowds which had slowly but surely gathered at the trackside in anticipation of some thrilling wheel-to-wheel action. Family and friends arrived in their droves to cheer on the competitors and to support each and every team taking part. Among the spectators were Motor Sports Association (MSA) chief executive Colin Hilton, and Carolynn Hoy, organiser of the Bernie Ecclestone-endorsed Formula Kart Stars series.
Hoy was effusive in her praise of the BSKC: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to introduce the sport to kids, and at a ridiculously cheap cost. I watched the racing and it’s of an extremely high standard. I’m really impressed!”
Not only was the racing excellent; it was unpredictable, too, with several teams appearing to be in contention right from the outset. Hot favourites St. Cyres, from Penarth in the Vale of Glamorgan, had dominated their regional qualifying rounds, but strong showings from last year’s podium-finishers Peebles RSC and Manchester’s Wellacre College ensured that victory in the final was far from a foregone conclusion. Indeed, by the midpoint in proceedings the Wellacre team was top of the standings with two race wins.
But as if to emphasise the unpredictability and closeness of the competition, it was underdogs Whitcliffe Mount School, from Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire, who took the next few heats by storm, setting up a final race in which any one of three teams could take overall honours. It was a nail-biting affair, and to add to the tension the three contenders would all start from the middle of the pack. Who would have the skill and determination to charge through the field and take the title?
After a thrilling chase to the chequered flag it was Whitcliffe Mount who sealed the championship with a brilliant final performance. Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School was just five points shy of tasting victory, while early-leaders Wellacre College secured an admirable, but ultimately disappointing, third place overall.
“That was the beauty of this event,” claimed BSKC organiser Will Tew. “Every driver and team wanted to win so badly that it was never going to be easy. I must congratulate Whitcliffe Mount for such a fantastic result. They fully deserve their victory.”
Few who witnessed the event would disagree. It later transpired that Whitcliffe brothers Jordan and Ryan Fletcher were competing on an outdoor kart circuit for only the second time, making their success all the more impressive. Teacher and team manager Richard Hirst remarked: “When I originally entered the boys, I didn’t think they’d do so well. I’m very proud and shocked!”
As a series that rewards talent and teamwork above the size of your cheque book, the British Schools Karting Championship has already enjoyed enormous growth since its inception in 2007. Not only is it opening up the world of competitive karting to a new and wider audience, it is also providing aspiring young racers with a cost-effective opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
