Gill tops BKA table, but rookies star on the day
Reigning Barbados Karting Association (BKA) Champion Nick Gill started his title defence in the best possible style, a clean sweep in the 310 Yamaha class rewarded with the maximum 100 points . . . but it was a busy field of karting rookies who provided some of the day's most competitive action.
The arrival in the island last month of the first batch of Easykarts - to contest the 60cc, 100cc and 125cc classes - has resulted in a huge boost in numbers, almost 30 drivers lining up on February 8 for their four races in round one of the Frutee-Chefette BKA Championship, sponsored by Surf Shak.
The biggest class, which produced close racing and three different winners, was the 60cc 'Cadets', who had earlier benefitted from a second training session with Easykart UK's Andy Cox. He focused on preparing for race day, a new experience for them all, with a refresher on the flags and pit lights used to control the race; after he explained the rolling start procedure, the rookies did some practice starts, which all passed without incident.
Come race day, Kayleigh Catwell, Kyffin Simpson and Sebastian Thompson were all Cadet race-winners, with Thompson ahead on points, thanks to two wins and two second places. Cousins Joshua and Zane Maloney had no competition in the Easykart 100s, sharing race wins equally to end the day tied on points. In the Easykart 125s, Mark Thompson enjoyed a successful return to the sport, winning all four races; despite demotion to third place in the final encounter following an accident, he was still 23 points ahead of his closest rival, Jim Mark, the day's largest winning margin.
Gill enjoyed healthy competition in the 310 class, under pressure from Kyle Proverbs and his own brother Reggie, returning to competition, but ended the day 16 points ahead. With two wins apiece, Ricky Kirton and Christian Hinds fought wheel-to-wheel in the X30 class, Kirton edging his opponent by just one point, while Sean Maloney collected 50 points as the sole driver in the Shifter class.
