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On June 24, EnduroKA finally returned for its second round of the 2023 season. ‘KAdwell Park’, as fondly dubbed by the series organisers, has become a stalwart of the EnduroKA calendar and all in attendance couldn’t wait for this round at the Lincolnshire Wolds circuit to get underway.
The opening exchanges of qualifying saw a rapid trading of fastest lap times between 3 Amigos and KnF Racing, with both teams enjoying spells at the top of the leaderboard. 3 Amigo’s Adam Read laid down a strong benchmark time of 1:58:105 for competitors to try and best. As the session progressed, fuel levels lowered and drivers became more in tune with the tricky, undulating track. Lap times began to tumble and a number of drivers and teams were keen to mount their challenge on the front of the grid. George Wright was the first to set a time quicker than the 3 Amigos, snatching provisional pole for MilnAir Racing. Pole position would stay the way of the #46 KA too, with George’s son Jack Wright cementing the accolade with an exceptional 1:56:849. A huge congratulations to MilnAir Racing for their first EnduroKA pole! Last year’s polesitters Wolf Motorsport edged the second spot on the front row by the narrowest of margins over PRO-AM Racing and the #1 KA of Burton Power Racing. Autotech Motorsport #65 rounded out the top five, qualifying ahead of GM Performance #81 and Windgat Racing.
An excellent getaway from Wolf Motorsport leapfrogged the Pink Pig KA into the lead at race start, with MilnAir Racing having to settle for second. A gripping battle between the lead pair ensued and only 0.638secs separated the two at the one hour classification. MilnAir Racing had successfully managed to retake the lead and were just about keeping Wolf Motorsport at bay. Meanwhile, outstanding opening hours for both KA Lamaty and KA Tastrophy has seen the KA’s rise from 16th and 15th to fourth and fifth respectively. Kamel Racing were enjoying a strong charge through the field of their own, with the #88 KA flying from 30th on the grid to end the opening hour 13th.
As it so often does, pit stop strategy and driver and mechanical reliability proved pivotal as the race progressed. Savvy strategy and consistent driving from both Autotech Motorsport KAs (#64 and #65) had seen the two sister cars rise through the overall classification and, at the half way mark, both found themselves occupying a podium position. A number of KAs were enjoying stellar opening stints, including series newcomers KAsh Strapped Racing and Tango & Crash. Capitalising on their earlier pace shown in qualifying, MilnAir Racing continued to lead the way out front putting in a strong and commanding drive.
With the race entering it’s closing stages, disaster struck for the leading KA. A mechanical failure for MilnAir Racing would cost the team a lengthy pitstop, throwing the opportunity for an EnduroKA victory wide open. The immediate benefiters of the situation were PRO-AM Racing, whose consistently quick pace had ensured it was them who found themselves at the head of the pack – in only their second ever EnduroKA race. Christian Kelly was at the helm of the #12 KA and the driver confidently navigated the remainder of the race to guide the team to their first EnduroKA race win! Each of the team’s three drivers (Christian Kelly, Justin Roberts and Scott Thompson) all contributed to a vintage race vicotry.
The second and third step on the podium both belonged to Autotech Motorsport, with the #64 KA of Reece Kellow, Jonathan Ogden and Kosta Kritisis finishing one place higher than the sister #65 KA of Thomas Stapley-Bunten, Toby Owen and Taylor Norton. A fabulous effort from all the drivers and the wider Autotech Motorsport team helped secure the double podium and ensure that the team’s strong start to 2023 continues. The KA Lamaty duo of Marcus Batty and Andrew Hinch capitalised on their early pace and clever strategy to come home in fourth, ahead of Semprini Racing (Jeremy Evans, Phil Hart, Tony Perfect and Matt Rowling) on the #27 KA’s first outing of the year. It’s advantage Semprini Seniors in the battle against the Semprini Junior team! An excellent recovery by MilnAir Racing saw Jack Wright, George Wright and Jonny Milner round out the top six. Congratulations to all!
EnduroKA fans will be delighted to hear that there’s not long to wait until the next round, as attention now swiftly turns to Donington Park for a five hour race around the Leicestershire circuit on July 16.
Entries can be made here: https://entries.msv.com/enduroka-2023