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Alex Gault 2002 - MMRA British Championships - Round 1..................................................................Back To Index
Round 1
The first of the big championships kicked of at Bayford Meadows Kart circuit in Kent, with Alex broken wrist we only attended to spectate, as it was on the road home from the trip to Italy.
However Dad was conned into letting him race or should I say take part! Alex argued that if he didn't take part. It would be hard for him to make up the points gap, If he went out and took things easy he might get 7th or 8th which would at least be some points. I agreed but told him if I saw him racing anyone or falling of that he would not be out again.
In practice it was clear who was on the pace for this years honours, Scott Redding, Chris Jones, Danny Web, Alex Heaton all must be favorites. With Alex Gault going to be playing catch up all year.
This was evident in the final grid positions with Scott taking the pole from Chris, young Danny Web and Alex Heaton making up the front row, but the surprise for me was, Alex making it on to the second row even though he was on the new prototype ZPF and I had not set the bike up to be as fast as it should be.
Saterday morning dawned and in brilliant sun shine the first round got of to a cracking start. In juniors it was a battle between Chris, Danny and Scott, Alex Heaton retiring from the first race with a blown engine throughout the day Alex Gault got faster resulting in a 4th, 3rd & 2nd and in the final race of the day the bike was adjusted, not to be as fast as it could but at least to give him a chance.
He took it from the drop of the flag he pushed into the lead and managed to maintain it to the end, behind Scott was catching him with ever lap, and Alex Heaton pushing hard just behind.
Chris Jones had to retire with a suspected clutch failure. Which cost the youngster dearly in the final standings.
Production Junior
Alex once again took part in practice running in his new ZPF production engine, and taking the 4.2 out to qualify for grid position, resulting in him sitting in 7th.
On the Saturday, after the first race came in complaining about his wrist being sore, I wanted to stop right there. Explaining that if he hurt his wrist more, it would be worse and that he would miss the next round as well, so I stopped him using the production bike and let him use the Junior bike in this class I think he finished around 6th overall. The honours going to Ross "TANK" Wiltshire on his GRC.
With the first round over and into the new season what do we think, Big improvements all round, every thing seamed to go without a hitch, Because of the rules it will be very hard for Alex to win the junior title perhaps his best chance will be in Production but here again this is a very strong class with perhaps, the best riders in the country contending it.
What ever happens we will enjoy it.
Results
Juniors
1st Scott Reading GRC
2nd Alex Gault ZPF
3rd Chris Jones GRC
Junior Production
1st Ross Whiltshire GRC
2nd Chris Jones GRC
3rd Alex Heaton ZPF
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