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Everyone’s favourite Ford KA endurance series has returned…. EnduroKA is back!
It’s been a long Winter and everyone associated with the series was delighted to see a large field of Mk1 KAs descend to Northampton on April 16th for the first round of the 2023 season.
The opening round of each season has always brought excitement, but the fact EnduroKA visited a brand-new circuit for 2023’s opener ensured that anticipation levels were next level. An impressive 41 teams took to the circuit on Sunday morning, as the first qualifying session of the year got underway. Essex & Kent Motorsport set the early pace, with driver Lewis Kent finding his groove and improving on his own times at the top of the leaderboard. GM Performance’s Ian Mitchell led the charge to dislodge Essex & Kent Motorsport from the top of the timing sheet, successfully doing so fifteen minutes into the session. GM Performance looked set to take the first pole of the season, with teammate Darren Stapleton even shaving some time off Ian Mitchell’s earlier effort. However, with less than four minutes remaining on the clock, George Wright ensured the first ever EnduroKA Silverstone pole position went the way of MilnAir Racing (1:19:700). GM Performance would have to settle for second, with early pacesetters Essex & Kent Motorsport lining up in third. The new-look ‘Silk Cut’ KA of Wolf Motorsport in fourth, Windgat Racing in fifth and KM Racing in sixth. There were plenty of impressive qualifying performances throughout the grid, including, amongst others, the debuting LARR Motorsport lining up in ninth.
As the five-hour race got underway, constant duelling could be found throughout the pack. Autotech Motorsport enjoyed a fine start, as their #64 and #65 KA climbed through the field from their thirteenth and tenth starting positions to be fourth and first at the first hour classification! It was apparent this race was going to be a close one right from the off, as the top three (Autotech Motorsport #65, GM Performance and KA Tastrophy) were separated by just 0.584secs after the one hour mark.
The 3 Amigos were another team on a charge. Having started in P11 on the grid, a steady and assured rise through the rankings ensured the #125 KA was in the lead at the three hour classification. The two Autotech Motorsport KAs continued to impress in second and third, while GM Performance and Sukaru Racing rounded out the top five. Outside of the lead pack, plenty of KAs were enjoying strong performances of their own. KnF Racing had rose from P36 on the starting grid to P22 after three hours, with 77 Racing surging from P40 to P26!
Over the final two hours of the race, a gripping four-horse race developed. Autotech Motorsport #64 led the charge to the chequered flag, ahead of Sukaru Racing, Autotech Motorsport #65 and 3 Amigos. However, it wasn’t to be for Autotech Motorsport #64 as they suffered an unfortunate driveshaft failure just fifteen minutes before the end of the race. Despite the obvious disappointment, drivers Kellow/Ogden/Kyritsis can be proud of their efforts as it was a fantastic drive by each.
One KAs misfortune is another KAs gain and it was the #555 Sukaru Racing team of Hilson/Dignan/Judge who inherited the lead. Tristan Judge expertly saw the car to the finish line to take not just the first EnduroKA top step of the year, but Sukaru Racing’s first victory in EnduroKA! The team had put in a stellar drive and were worthy winners. Consistently strong lap times ensured 3 Amigos would finish in second, ahead of the sister Autotech Motorsport #65 KA. Congratulations to all of our podium finishers!
An incredible drive through the field from P33 on the grid by North Motorsport was rewarded with a fourth place finish, ahead of: KA Lamaty, GM Performance, PRO-AM Racing and KA Tastrophy.
Tango & Crash received the prestigious first Dagenham Dustbin of the year, for their take on the classic BMW Art Car of Le Mans.
It was fantastic to see all the many new and returning faces in the EnduroKA paddock and we already can’t wait for KAdwell Park!