Unless I'm very much mistaken

“It is beginning to look like a two way fight between Team Carbon and Jammy Dodgers unless Just So can pull their finger out in the final 3 races and actually win something.”

“Just So are still very much in contention, especially when dropped scores come into effect at the next race but unless they can produce the kind of performance that saw them dominate last year, I personally can’t help thinking they are now outsiders.”

These were my exact words after round 8 at Rye House, proving what little I know. What with my ability to cause mechanical failures by using the phrase “You’re running well at the moment”, I’m thinking of changing my name to Murray.

Anyway, 3 teams turned up to the final round at Buckmore Park with a chance of taking the title. It has been a close battle all year between Jammy Dodgers, Team Carbon and the “outsiders” Just So. The tension was palpable as 31 karts took to the track for practice.

On a wet and greasy track, it was a great effort by Oliver Allwood that saw him take his second consecutive pole position for Makia, snatching it in the dying moments of the session. Slipstream, who had a bloke called Gary racing for them again, lined up second. Just So and Team Carbon were next up with Jammy Dodgers two places further back behind Tanked Up. Club16-48, RBB and Cartman were next up. Galliard and The Man’s an Animal both started from the back of the grid after post-qualifying kart changes.

Oli Allwood used Sebastian Vettel qualifying tactics and timed his run to perfection, being the last person to cross the line.

“It doesn’t really count for much seeing as last time out at Bayford I ended up about tenth after the first lap but I’m happy with pole. I think I was the last person on a timed lap so I had the driest lap. Hopefully we can have a good race.”

Well it didn’t get off to the best of starts. As at the previous race, they made an awful start and dropped to 7th at the end of lap 1. Team Carbon led round the opening lap followed by the flying Jammy Dodgers, Slipstream and Just So. Club16-48 and Galliard were two casualties on the opening lap. Up front it was an exciting first few laps with the leaders swapping places lap after lap before the order settled down with Team Carbon holding off Slipstream.

The pit stops caused a bit of drama with a number of drivers stacking it into the pit wall. Makia Racing were a victim of this. More drama followed in the form of a black flag for Jammy Dodgers that would ultimately cost them dearly.

James Taylor told his side of the story.

“Just So and Slipstream were in front of me. Slipstream made a move and went wide and Tanked Up got in front of me and Just So kept their foot in and knocked me into them and I got black flagged.”

Just So were flying and enjoyed a close battle with Team Carbon that lasted most of the race. Slipstream were also in the mix early on but they appeared to develop problems later on - probably with their stand in driver who obviously isn’t very good - and slipped down the order. Galliard and The Man’s An Animal were both working their way up the order. Tanked Up Racing, Makia and RBB all appeared to be having quiet afternoons.

Simon Young, still to sign a third driver for 2012 (Chris Hanson?) after the ruthless Jonny Goddard announced he will be teaming up with Jon Maycock next year, was ruing bad luck in qualifying and a down-on-power motor in the race.

“We were one of the very first karts to finish qualifying so that put us mid-pack but the kart is struggling middle-to-top end anyway so we’re fairly happy with our performance considering.”

Of course Jonny Goddard contradicted his team leader by stating it was a lack of bottom-end that was causing the problem. Still, both Goddard and Dan Gore bought a copy of my book so they are alright by me. And RBB are excellent.

It was a disappointing end to what has been a frustrating season for Club16-48. After their first lap accident, it soon appeared they were struggling with pace. Phil Kendall was understandably furious and son Steve admitted that he was unsure of the team’s future.

Back to the action and Just So’s exhaust started making an ominous sounding noise. It didn’t seem to be affecting their pace too much and Brian Trott was valiantly holding off the charging Pete O’Connor from Team Carbon. A relieved Stuart Symonds explained the situation.

“We had a bit of a panic. We decided to leave changing it until the end of the pit window and if it needed changing we’d do it at the next stop. The mechanics checked it and it turns out it’s broken inside and shouldn’t get any louder. Hopefully it won’t break. Fingers crossed. I think it might be affecting the performance a little bit but we’re still there or there about on pace so we just have to hope that it lasts.”

This little drama aside, Just So maintained the lead over Team Carbon with Jammy Dodgers further back in third. By the time the last pit stops had panned out, Just So had eked out a comfortable margin over Team Carbon. Over the final few laps they pulled out a gap of over 10 seconds to take an important victory that secured their second consecutive title.

The Just So boys were understandably delighted with the result.

“Considering we were about eighth or ninth after four or five rounds, this is such a great result. We have had such a great run of form lately and we knew we had a good chance today as long as we had a good kart. I think this is more satisfying than last year’s win because then it was a foregone conclusion at the halfway point whereas this was right down to the wire. It was a pretty flawless performance by all of us today and, other than the scare with the exhaust, there were no real dramas.”

Pete O’Connor was obviously disappointed to come so close only to lose out at the last gasp. He had this to say.

“I’m a bit disappointed. We didn’t really have the pace at the end. We all drove well and were glued to the back of Brian for about forty-five minutes but we couldn’t get past. The kart wasn’t bad or anything but we needed a rocket today.”

Oh and Cartman were in this race too!