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As a mark of respect for the passing of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II, all in attendance at MSVT Racing’s latest EnduroKA round, at Oulton Park, paused for two minutes of silence and reflection.
Qualifying got underway early on Saturday (10th September), with overcast weather welcoming the 33-strong grid. As sunshine broke through the clouds lap times began to tumble, with Luca Staccini setting the early pace for Autotech Motorsport. His time was bested in quick succession by Ynys Mon 24 winners AxiaMetrics.com and Schweinerennen victors IP Racing, with the latter looking set to take pole. However, as we headed into the final quarter of the session, it was Chris Weatherill of AxiaMetrics who clinched the front of the grid for their #18 KA. IP Racing would have to settle for second, with Autotech Motorsport finishing third. Remarkably, less than 0.700secs separated the front three. Wolf Motorsport, Grid Finder and Sukaru Racing rounded out the top six.
After a session that tight, it would be foolish to think the race would be anything other than closely-fought and this was proved right from the off. At the hour mark, less than one second separated the top three; Autotech Motorsport, Grid Finder and IP Racing. Polesitters AxiaMetrics had dropped down the order with an early pitstop, but began using their consistently strong lap times to climb up the classification. Both RACELOGIC and KM Racing enjoyed strong starts, reaching 3rd and 4th respectively at the two hour mark, while Autotech Motorsport, Sukaru Racing and M@D Racing all enjoyed stints at the front.
As we entered the closing stages of the race, AxiaMetrics had managed to pull away from their closest rivals IP Racing to take control. IP Racing continued to push hard, but the win was seemingly inevitable for AxiaMetrics. However, it was anything but easy for the #18 KA, as a mechanical issue forced driver Dominic Jackson into nursing the car for the final laps. Eventually, just 2.492secs ahead of IP Racing, AxiaMetrics did manage to take the checkered flag first - securing their second win of 2022. Autotech’s strong weekend was justly rewarded with a welcomed podium, with Sukaru and Grid Finder both putting in solid drives to narrowly miss out on the trophies in 4th and 5th.
Congratulations go out to not just the podium finishers, but to all the KA’s who took the checkered flag. Oulton Park is a circuit that demands the best from man and machine and we were treated to a number of stellar performances throughout the race.
Congratulations are also in order for Hard & Enthusiastic, who are the latest outfit to win the prestigious Dagenham Dustbin.
We now look keenly ahead to the final round of EnduroKA this year – the Brands Hatch Indy, KA 500.