BlendLine Kart Series Round 3 Report and Results
Author: BlendLine Events, Photo/Video: BlendLine Magazine
The third round of the BlendLine Kart Series 2021 took place this past weekend at a small kart track in remote South Wales - Pontypool to be precise. Attracting 3 new entrants to the series, in the form of Tom Hill, Josh Klein and Alistair Mason (bringing a total of 3 Alistairs to the BLKS grid for this round!)
A revised one-off format consisting of an endurance round was the order of the day on this occasion, to give a break from the usual sprint race format.
The 8 drivers took the grid for a 10 minute practice session, in dry conditions but with threatening skies looming overhead.
The grid was then formed for the 40 minute race in a randomly selected number order.
As racing got underway, with the clouds looking angrier than ever and indeed beginning to spit raindrops on the visors of the drivers, the starter flag dropped and the 8 karts launched off the grid.
With a few racing incidents happening throughout, unfortunately red flags would halt proceedings regularly while trackside marshalls swept up gravel that had been flung on to the circuits by passing karts. But sadly for a few drivers mechanical failure would also limit performance, with series regular Ali Byrne limping through the first few laps with a serious engine issue forcing him to run at 50% speed. Later Tal England and series leader Niall Evans had a coming-together and this forced England into the gravel, causing another red flag and also a stone to become wedged in his front hub on the race restart and leaving him stranded stationary on the entry to turn 4.
Championship newcomer and novice driver Josh Klein ran a consistent race getting to grips with the kart and circuit. Further ahead fellow newcomer but more experienced driver Alistair Mason drove well and would eventually finish on the podium. Tom Magnay battled with Evans and Alistair Neil, and although passing Evans momentarily, and fighting closely with Mason and Neil, would eventually finish 4th.
After 40 minutes of close racing, the final results are as follows (with the winner being the driver who had raced the highest number of laps, and subsequent finishers to be classified thereafter).
1. Niall Evans (67 laps)
2. Ali Neil (67 laps)
3. Alistair Mason (67 laps)
4. Tom Magnay (67 laps)
5. Tom Hill (65 laps)
6. Josh Klein (64 laps)
7. Ali Byrne (63 laps)
8. Tal England (62 laps)
The results from round 3 also mean a change in the standings, with Niall Evans extending his championship points haul and actually gaining an unassailable lead in the series over current second place sitter Magnay. Meanwhile Ali Neil's strong result hops him from 7th to 3rd in the standings, pushing Byrne and England down the board.
Championship standings after round 3
1. Niall Evans 81 points
2. Tom Magnay 42 points
3. Ali Neil 33 points
4. Ali Byrne 26 points
5. Tal England 24 points
6. Osian Pryce 18 points
7. Sion Ellis 15 points
8. Alistair Mason 15 points
9. Tom Hill 10 points
10. Josh Klein 8 points
11. Tom Mayo 6 points
12. Rhys Jarrett 4 points
13. Rhodri Evans 0 points
The final round will define the finalised standings, with dropped scores also taken into account following that event. (Competitors who have competed in 4 rounds will have their 1 lowest score dropped, as per championship regulations).
Next round: GYG, Sunday 26th September, further details will be emailed to all registered competitors
