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EnduroKA’s much-anticipated debut on Snetterton’s 300 circuit took place on August 10/11, with two three-hour races combining to form the fourth round of the series 2024 season.
Qualifying
11Tenths Racing secured pole position for Saturday’s race, courtesy of a fantastic lap time of 2m38.304s by driver Gianluca Elia.
A whole host of drivers tried to dethrone Elia from the top of the timing sheet, but as the checkered flag signaled the end of the session, 11Tenths Racing remained at the top of the classification to become the inaugural EnduroKA Snetterton 300 polesitters.
Ian Mitchell earned GM Performance’s place on the front row, with his final lap just 0.020s quicker than Ka Taclysm to line the #81 KA up in second.
KA-Doodle-Doo would join Ka Taclysm on the second row, while Ka Lamaty, Ka Tastrophy, Shine Automotive, PRO-AM Racing, AFK Racing and Windgat Racing rounded out the top ten fastest qualifiers.
Saturday’s 3-hours
KA-Doodle-Doo enjoyed an excellent start to rise from fourth on the grid to end the first lap with the race lead. PRO-AM Racing were likewise prospering from a great opening stint to join the leading pack, whilst Miln-Air Racing were making strong progress through the field having started from the pit lane.
PRO-AM Racing’s solid start to the race got even better by the one hour mark, as the #12 KA had expertly maneuvered itself to the race lead. KA-Doodle-Doo were keeping the KA in front honest, a mere 2.921s behind in second. The battle for the final step of the podium was currently being fronted by Ka Tastrophy, but Shine Automotive, MilnAir Racing and Ka Taclysm were all in the hunt.
By the two hour point, teams had made at least their first round of pitstops and were looking to push on with their races. PRO-AM Racing, now at the hands of Josh Benson, continued to lead but were now being chased down by MilnAir Racing. The #46 KA had carried on with its charge through the pack and was now a mere 11.004s away from the lead. Meanwhile, just 0.0437s separated third (Ka Tacylsm) and Ka Tastrophy in fourth place!
Throughout the final hour of Saturday’s race, MilnAir Racing consistently reduced the gap to PRO-AM Racing in front. However, despite George Wright’s best efforts, PRO-AM Racing held on by just 2.641s to take the checkered flag first! A huge congratulations to all the team, including drivers Jack Kemp, Oliver Furnell and Josh Benson who each put in brilliant stints.
MilnAir Racing would have to settle for second over the line, but both George and Jack Wright and Jonny Milner had put in a remarkable effort from starting in the pitlane. KA Tastrophy’s Robert Thomas and Simon Bonham held back a Shine Automotive charge to secure third, with the #180 KA having to settle for fourth.
Ka Tacylsm, GM Performance, KaHoona’s Race Team, KAsh Strapped Racing, Mellors Elliot Motorsport and AFK Racing rounded out the top ten.
Sunday’s 3-hours
An exceptional opening lap by Jack Wright secured the lead for MilnAir Racing, while Shine Automotive had leaped up to second. As Shine Automotive battled with GM Performance to maintain their second place, it allowed MilnAir Racing up front to get their head down and open up a gap to the chasing pack.
Amongst the fast starters was KAsh Strapped Racing who had made their way up to fourth by the end of lap two, as well as NJM Racing #6 who gained six positions in the same time.
KA-Doodle-Doo were enjoying a surging start at the hands of GT driver Marcus Clutton, while pit stops around the hour mark had shifted the running order. At the one hour classification it was Windgat Racing at the forefront, having started 27th on the grid.
Windgat Racing had maintained the lead as the race entered its final hour, with North Motorsport and GloriKA both making their way into the provisional podium places – albeit with all three needing to make a final stop.
Once the final stops had been made it was clear EnduroKA was in for another incredibly tense finish. KA-Doodle-Do were on a charge and had made it past Ka Tacylsm for second and now had their eyes set firmly on leaders MilnAir Racing.
Despite Clutton’s advances, MilnAir Racing held on by 6.457s to take victory at Snetterton and secure the third top step of the season for the #46 KA! A huge congratulations goes out to George Wright, Jack Wright and Jonny Milner, as well as the entire wider team.
Although they missed out on the win, KA-Doodle-Doo will be delighted to have secured a first EnduroKA podium finishing second – thanks to Ross Faulds, Clive Taylor, Lee Taylor and Marcus Clutton. Ka Tastrophy’s pairing of Robert Thomas and Simon Bonham claimed a terrific second third-place-finish in as many days to take the final step of the podium.
Windgat Racing narrowly missed out on the podium by just 0.624s, but it was a phenomenal effort by the team to finish 23 places above where they had started the day. KaHoona’s Race Team, GM Performance, KAsh Strapped Racing, Autotech Motorsport, AFK Racing and 11Tenths Racing completed the top ten.
Congratulations to all.
Special mention goes to the #44 Graves Motorsport ‘Kägermeister’ KA for catching the Snetterton marshal’s attention and winning the latest Dagenham Dustbin!
EnduroKA returns next month as part of the on-track entertainment at Ford Power Live at Brands Hatch!
Take your place on the grid by entering HERE.