With one eye on a karting title, Hughes plays it safe at Whilton Mill (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

With one eye on a karting title, Hughes plays it safe at Whilton Mill

RICHARD Hughes played it safe at Whilton Mill on Sunday, extending his lead in the 2004 Whilton Championship with one round still to go.

Hughes, from Castle Eaton, near Swindon, has already secured the Rissington title and scored enough points on Sunday to be pretty sure of winning the Whilton Mill series as well.

He now leads by 40 points, but when dropped rounds are taken into account, he needs only a top- ten result, or to finish near to his sole rival, in the final round in November to clinch the title.

The Rotax Max class attracted 24 drivers last weekend, including some top names.

Nevertheless, the Total Butler driver scored the most points in the qualifying heats and set fastest lap in all three of them to put his Arrow on pole position for the big race.

Hughes got a good start and led for the first lap, but British No 8 Karl Haxton was snapping at his heels, so he let him through and sat on his bumper.

Former British champion Chris Rogers and Nigel Green were close behind and so it stayed for a few laps.

When Green made a move on Rogers and also managed to get up the inside of Hughes into the 'Boot' complex, Hughes had to back off and this let Rogers through as well. Green eventually passed Haxton for the win.

"I knew it was going to be a tactical race and close at the front, as there was not much in it on lap times in the heats," explained Hughes.

He continued, "I had to play safe and couldn't risk going off, so I was happy to settle for fourth in the circumstances.

"The other three are not effectively in the championship, and my only rival was back in seventh place. So I thought, I will take the points, thank you very much!"

Hughes is now to concentrate on Shenington where he also leads the championship series.

However, there are three rounds to go there, and it could prove a nail-biting finish.

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