Round 10 Dadson Masters 2007 Lydd
Back home to the Interlargos of karting & the last time the Dadson Masters will race at Lydd International Raceway in its current format, for when The 2008 Dadson Masters series returns to Lydd next year they will be going around the other way. Some of course may say the Dadson’s are used to that!
At driver briefing, our mascot, this time cadet driver Sam Day picked Chris Pasterfield number from the tyre draw & Chris gets a free set of Vega SL6 slicks. While slightly off the pace early this year but now “his back”, Winston Bent was presented with his Driver of the day trophy from the previous round. Our series coordinator Tracey Francis presented him with his trophy to rapturous applauses obviously a popular choice.
Heat 1
After 3 false starts Jones gets the jump on Barnsby followed by Friend & Francis
Weatherley gets through then Francis fights back meanwhile Barnsby takes the lead putting Jones back to 3rd Tomlinson O’Neil off in kitty litter. Friend takes the lead from Barnsby over the hump. Francis follows for 2nd Fordham moves up to4th
Weatherley now comes into play taking Fordham for 4th over the hump Wooder goes off recovers to retire only completing 5 of 12 laps plenty of action with a drying track. The Finishing order Friend Fordham Francis.
Friend also took fastest lap Cowlam came in early to preserve his tyres.
Something Friend could have chosen to do.
Heat 2
Lofting takes a comfortable early lead followed by Beckenham & Friend.
Friend goes through to win again followed home by Lofting & Beckenham.
Again Friend takes the fastest lap but what about looking after those tyres?
Heat 3
Pasterfield leads the pack through kitty litter bend & into the first chicane.
On lap 2 Fairbrass takes the lead but by lap 3 it’s Wooder all the way to the chequered
followed by Kerr & Beckenham. Wooder took the fastest lap. Fordham was laped & Friend was now 3 seconds slower than Wooder. Was Cowlam right conserving his tyres earlier on? Hindsight is a wonderful thing! Bet Friend wished he had some.
Final & Lee Wood Memorial Trophy
So here we are on the grid for the finale of the 2007 Dadson Masters. Wooder has almost certainly lost in his quest to become champion. Fordham just has to drive around & perhaps finish. Problem is racers want to race and don’t forget that massive Lee Wood Memorial trophy that the winner of this race will have bestowed on them for a year. At this stage, the track was very changeable & those that ran with teams should have the upper hand. In that, I mean a spotter from your team would now be monitoring the track to see who was on what and if the conditions would favour slicks
This coupled with the fact teams may have other drivers in Mini or Junior or at least a spare pair of hands compared with a privateer.
As the green flag goes up some karts are on wet’s some on slicks. What was Cowlam on? Was he right to preserve his tyres? Did Friend ruin his tyres too soon? We’ve all seen Schumacher drive through puddles to cool his tyres down and preserve.
Did our drivers do this?
At the lights its go for the first time. Off into the kitty litter goes Fairbrass while down into the 2nd chicane there spinning around like Kylie Minogue. Those that are on slicks I mean. Now Friend takes an early lead followed by Kerr (both on wets) Kerr takes Friend for the lead. Fordham is back at 12th position and I guess that would suit him to stay out of trouble and find a safe haven particularly as Wooder is behind him yes this is not a typo Wooder in 25th position. More spinners through the horseshoe
& there on slicks while Kerr & Friend romp off (remember their on not looked after wets) Friend now all over the back of Kerr ready to pounce. Further back Fordham is battling with day but doesn’t need to get too involved just bring it home and your champ Nigel. Now on lap 6 & Barnsby (who is on slicks) takes Friend for 2nd position
It is now becoming evident Friend has NOT looked after his tyres at all & furthermore made the wrong choice as there is no Championship points nor trophy for fastest laps just finishing is what its about & after another lap of being overtaken & not being in a position to control his kart Friend retires I imagine annoyed with himself or his set up
Throw’s his gloves in his seat and just like the famous Dell Boy phrase drink up were leavin. Hindsight is a wonderful thing again another only fools and horses phrase
“look after your tyres” By now Kerr is also suffering and going backwards It’s new boys Williams & Barnsby that are now at the front with Brittain 3rd Laps getting faster slicks was clearly the right choice & most of the field are on them.
Lap 12 and where did he come from was what most drivers was saying at the end Gilbert that is now in 4th
On lap 14 while Williams & Barnsby were racing each other Brittian went through to
Win the race & the 2007 Lee Wood Memorial Trophy.
Francis came home 5th with the fastest lap.
1st Brittian 2nd Williams 3rd Barnsby 4th Gilbert