Hughes on course for a third karting championship (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hughes on course for a third karting championship

RICHARD Hughes kept alive his aspirations of a third karting championship with a fine win at Shenington on December 1.

Although the racing was very close, the Castle Easton driver came out on top to score maximum points in the Rotax Max 125 class.

Nonetheless, the elusive title will not be decided until the final round on December 15.

Three drivers are now within five points after counting their best seven scores from 11 rounds of battling at Shenington.

With 32 points for a win and 28 for second, the heat is really on for the final showdown!

Hughes, who has already won the championships at Whilton Mill and Rissington on his Australian Arrow kart, by no means had it his own way last weekend.

With heavy overnight rain, the track had not fully dried for the first qualifying heat, so everyone was on wet tyres.

A dry line started to appear early in the race and the treaded tyres started to overheat. Some lasted longer than others, but Richard could finish only fourth.

The second heat was better and the Total Butler man climbed to second to a qualify third on the grid for the big race.

There were a number of early tussles in the final and all the title contenders eventually were in the top four.

Although the lead changed a few times, Hughes put his nose in front on lap six and held it to the end. Only a second separated the top five after 14 laps.

"That was probably the hardest race of my life: it seemed to go on forever," said Richard after the trophy presentation.

"I knew I had to win it to keep a good chance of the championship, but the other two contenders had the same objective."

The team were also running Peter Blakeney, from Calne, in Junior TKM.

Having had some impressive outings as a novice, this was, hopefully, his final appearance with the black plates before gaining his full licence.

He had two excellent runs in the qualifying heats and started amongst the more experienced drivers for the big race.

A couple of good battles were fought, but a spin near the end of the race cost him the novice trophy.

With the vital signature obtained on his licence, Peter will now start in amongst the 'big boys' for the last race meeting of the season.

Further details and news can be found on the team's web site at www.bizness.co.uk/karting