Local karter escapes injury in Shenington pile-up (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Local karter escapes injury in Shenington pile-up

CASTLE Eaton's Richard Hughes was lucky to escape injury in a big pile-up at Shenington on Sunday.

Having won both his heats and qualifying on pole position, Hughes was hit from behind just after the rolling start, forcing his Arrow kart into a spin and it was then hit by no less than eight other karts!

Hughes said, "I don't think it was deliberate: someone behind gave me a tap just at the wrong moment.

"With 25 karts going flat- out into the first bend, it only takes a small problem to cause a big pile-up.

"Thankfully, all the safety equipment worked and no-one was hurt, although my kart's a bit of a mess."

He concluded, "I managed to get going again and finish the race, but it was hard work with bent steering."

Meanwhile, in the Junior Rotax class, there was better news for the Arrow drivers.

Richard Hughes' protg, 15-year-old Peter Blakeney, from Devizes, drove superb races to qualify and finish third. His confidence is obviously boosted after his win at Rissington.

Lee Whichello, from Didcot, completed his first meeting at Shenington in Senior Rotax.

And despite it being only his second ever race meeting, he finished fourth in the B final to qualified his Arrow for the big race.

His lap times were impressive too as he beat the other novices to take the Novice Trophy.

Two meetings and two trophies - not a bad start to his racing career!

Richard Hughes' racing team manager, Bill Hughes, expressed his disappointment at his son's untimely demise.

He said, "We did some proper testing at last with the new Arrow A-Max kart and it was getting quicker and quicker.

"With the help of Adrian Beddall of BRT, we were also getting bags of power from the engine and I am sure it was fast enough to win.

"After Richard's superb driving in the heats, in the second one he won it from 17th on the grid, we were looking forward to a super race, but it was not to be.

"Still, motor sport is like that and we will repair the damage and be back for more."