Hughes is finding more speed from his kart (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Hughes is finding more speed from his kart

RICHARD Hughes continued to find more speed from his new Arrow kart to finish second at Whilton Mill behind 2003 champion Glen Denny, despite minor accidents in the heats and on the first lap of the final.

Hughes, from Castle Eaton, near Swindon, rocketed through the first two qualifying heats in the Rotax Max class without problems.

He took the lead in the third heat, but another driver tried a desperate lunge at the hairpin and ended up on top of Richard's kart!

But Hughes somehow managed to keep going and qualified in third place on the grid for the big race of the day.

As the lights turned green for the rolling start, all looked well with the first four pulling away from the rest of the pack.

However, on the first bend, Richard was forced on to the grass.

The Total Butler supported driver managed to get back on the tarmac and quickly moved up to second place, but by then Denny had an enormous lead.

"Glen is always quick around Whilton Mill and I couldn't quite match his pace today", commented Hughes.

"My new Arrow A-Max kart is fantastic, and I am sure we can get a lot more speed from it.

"The problem is that on every test day we have arranged so far, it has been either wet or snowing!

"We are trying to develop it during race weekends and that isn't the best way of finding the ultimate set-up.

"However, there is a long way to go in each of the championships and I have scored good points in the opening races."

The Richard Hughes Racing team are planning a full season of racing at Shenington, Rissington and Whilton Mill.

They are now running three junior drivers, who will benefit from Richard Hughes' coaching and advice, as well as several senior racers.

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