Karter Hughes leaves rest of field in his wake at the Whilton Mill circuit (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Karter Hughes leaves rest of field in his wake at the Whilton Mill circuit

CASTLE Eaton karter Richard Hughes dominated the Rotax Max class at the Whilton Mill kart circuit, near Northampton, last Sunday by winning outright from pole position in his Arrow.

Over 30 entrants meant running four qualifying heats with each driver taking part in three. Hughes had a win, a second and a sixth in his races, comfortably allowing him to be at the front for the final.

When the lights turned to green, the Total Butler driver blasted away from the rolling start and led all the way for 15 laps to the chequered flag.

"I was lucky to be racing at all," Richard explained. "I blew up my engine at Shenington last week and there was no time to re-build it.

"I had just sold one engine with my 2002 kart the week before and had already promised another driver that he could use the remaining spare.

"But Adrian Beddall of BRT came to the rescue as always and supplied a brand new motor. Although it had been run-in, we didn't know how it would go.

"Thankfully, it was quick on Saturday and never missed a beat on Sunday. I am very grateful to him for his help."

The team ran Sam Smith, from Leicester, in Richard's spare Arrow kart and engine. The last time Sam raced with the team was nearly two years ago when still a junior.

However, he quickly adapted to the Arrow Rotax Max, listened to the advice and was getting close to Richard's times by the end of Saturday practice.

On Sunday, he drove well in the heats to qualify seventh in the big field. A good start saw him up to fourth, but he slipped back to seventh by the end.

Nevertheless, this was a good result for his first outing in the kart.

Team manager Bill Hughes commented "It was an exceptionally busy weekend for the team, as there were seven Arrow karts running - five seniors and two juniors - and it was great for all of them to see their team leader win so convincingly."