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The weekend of 26/27 October 2024 was a special one for EnduroKA, as the series hosted its latest Brands Hatch Indy, KA 500.
For the sixth season in a row, a whole host of Mk1 Ford KAs descended on the iconic Kent venue for five hundred minutes of endurance racing fun, all with the goal of earning bespoke podium trophies and milk bottles.
Qualifying
Saturday’s early evening qualifying session allowed for drivers new to the series to get their first taste of night running at Brands Hatch, while also giving series regulars the chance to dial back in to the unique opportunity.
As the first representative laps were set, Misty Racing’s Alistair Dendy and GM Performance’s Darren Stapleton found themselves at the pointy end of the timing screens. George Wright (MilnAir Racing) and Marucs Batty (Ka Lamaty) both successfully bettered the provisional best time set, before Shine Automotive’s Collin French had his say.
Dendy struck back, before a two-horse battle for pole position dominated the rest of the session. KA Doodle-Doo Racing’s Ross Faulds was pushing hard and consistently improved on the team’s best time, while MilnAir Racing’s Jack Wright was doing the same in the #46 KA.
The pair exchanged fastest laps on multiple occasions and, in spectacular fashion, pole position would be decided the barest of margins – just 0.001s! It was MilnAir Racing who had just edged the front of the grid, with KA Doodle-Doo Racing having to settle for second.
Autotech Motorsport #65 lined up third, being joined on the second row by KM Racing. The sister Autotech Motorsport #64 KA qualified fifth, with: GM Performance, KaHoona’s Race Team, KA Tastrophy, Windgat Racing and Boston Racing rounding out the top 10.
Race Start
After initially maintaining the lead through the opening lap, KA Doodle-Doo Racing were unable to keep MilnAir Racing behind for long and the #46 KA was soon into the race lead. Autotech Motorsport #65 followed through to take second, but the front runners were still in close proximity and with over eight hours of racing remaining… it was all still to play for!
By the one hour classification, KA-Doodle Do Racing had retaken the lead, but MilnAir Racing and Autotech Motorsport #65 remained in hot pursuit. An excellent start by LDR Performance Tuning #49 had seen them rise 16 places higher than where they started, while NJM Racing #6 had gained 14 places.
Mid-Race
As the race progressed and reached the three hour mark, pit stop strategy became increasingly important. Plenty of overtaking was keeping the Kent crowd entertained, while also ensuring there was non stop action on track for drivers and teams to enjoy.
KaHoona’s Race Team were pushing up the order, while PRO-AM Racing were displaying excellent race pace to challenge towards the podium places. Burton Power Racing and AFK Racing were looking comfortable within the top ten, while Tango & Crash were another team progressing through the field.
Into the second half of the race and the excitement was unrelenting. It was still unclear which team were going to come out victorious, though KaHoona’s Race Team, Autotech Motorsport, PRO-AM Racing and MilnAir Racing were all staking their claim. Boston Racing had demonstrated consistent pace and were reaping the rewards, finding themselves in P4 after five hours of racing.
LDR Performance Racing #49’s strong race continued as they pushed on in P7, while KAmotion were enjoying a stellar mid-race sitting one place behind in P8 after six hours.
Into The Night
As darkness closed in on the Kent circuit and headlights came on, KaHoona’s Race Team and Autotech Motorsport #65 were taking centre stage in an enthralling battle for the race lead. 20.453s separated the front-running duo at the seven hour mark, with KaHoona’s Race Team in front. However, after eight hours, the gap had dropped to a mere 2.451s and a breathtaking final twenty minutes were on the cards.
Kosta Kyritis was at the wheel of the KaHoona’s Race Team KA and was doing all he could to keep his charging rival behind, but with ever-decreasing levels of grip left on the tyres, the Autotech Motorsport #65 KA made a brilliant overtake for the lead.
The move proved decisive and ensured a fantastic Brands Hatch Indy, KA 500 victory for Autotech Motorsport #65 and their drivers Chris Hilson, Yousuf Bin-Suhayl, Alec Livesley and Alexander Walker! Every member of the team played their part and should be proud of their efforts – the sixth different Brands Hatch Indy, KA 500 winner in as many years!
Despite missing out on victory, KaHoona’s Race Team can’t be disheartened, as all three of Ian Perkins, Philip Truman and Kosta Kyritis put in mega shifts to end the race second on the podium. The final step on the podium belonged to Boston Racing, whose consistent pace and astute race strategy ensured that drivers Andrew Fells, Jacob Fells, Eduardo Correia and Benjamin Curran ended the 2024 season with a trophy… and milk bottle!
MilnAir Racing have enjoyed a phenomenal year and rounded that off with a fourth place finish, ahead of PRO-AM Racing and GM Performance in fifth and sixth respectively. LDR Performance Tuning #49, Burton Power Racing, Shine Automotive and AFK Racing rounded out the top ten. Congratulations to all!
Final mention goes to Tango & Crash who claimed the final Dagenham Dustbin of the season, capturing the attention (and votes!) of the Orange Army in attendance at Brands Hatch.
Bring on 2025!
Photo: Gary Hawkins Photography