Ben, Sam, Jaydan, Will, James & Freddie @ CKC

The Roy Mortara annual event attracts extra drivers every year and CKC lends itself to close cadet racing making the meeting all the more special, with the Surtees trophy up for ‘most promising future driver’ the lads looked eagerly at the trophy table as we did the pleasantly dry track walk.

With Will and Jaydan joining in for the meeting we knew the pit space would be busier than normal, thankfully the dry weather stuck and we went racing.

Ben and Sam have been very strong in their classes this year, with the recent changes to setups we knew we could take the Honda race to Neo properly, it would just be down to Sam to get the right move done at the right time!

Grabbing two 2nds and a 5th in the heats Sam qualified P3 for the final, we wanted 1 or 3 so were happy, meanwhile James, Jaydan and Will are continuing to develop well, James having the least experience in racing is doing well and we are helping him to ‘sweeten’ the lines at certain points, his goal of a 31 sec lap did not appear but we will have him pushing next time out, he is in touch with the grid when not compromised by awkward moments around him and is more than able to earn the coveted novice cup, James was certainly the quickest of the novices at times and being nominated for the Surtees cup had been seen!

Will and Jaydan both have Shenington experience with them so track confidence is strong, both lads raced well with Jaydan grabbing a 4th in the heats on his first race at the track which was testament to his efforts, Will had a fair few battles in traffic on the way but managed to maintain a good mid order average.

Ben in Juniors was having a busy time, getting a 3rd, 4th and 5th in the heats we were optimistic for a podium finish, having passed his ARDS this week his confidence was high and despite a few adjustments was looking strong.

The Honda final saw a great race at the front, with Neo, Sam nose to tail for the first half of the race. leaving Josh to catch up later on. The 3 drivers were nose to tail with Josh sneaking into 2nd after Sam went slightly wide, Sam stayed on his tail and saw a small opportunity for the move but it was a little too late, taking the option to back out cost him a spin, dropping him down the pack and the chance for a podium but the move was worth the shot, he drove like a star all day, but very disappointed Sam drove home in 10th pushing hard all the way.

Jaydan drove a steady race coming home in 5th place – a really good effort all round with more pace to come as he gets used to the track. James and Will managed to have their own battle in the 7th place position, not willing to give up the chance James was looking for his best finish and of course the elusive 31, eventually it came down to a side by side battle around lap 6, James managed to keep ahead slightly but as both turned into the first corner the lads touched and sadly James’ race concluded with floor pan damage from crossing onto the grass, lessons have been learned and the lads will return to continue the battle next month, only with a little more light between them on the apex!

Ben was looking really good in the Junior final and then became involved in an incident that has been discussed at length, Ben is a terrific racer, hard of course but he has the utmost respect for his fellow racers, his move in the complex had become legendary until the grid got the hang of shutting the door on him (we knew it would happen eventually!) during the final he was hit from behind in the same complex area which got him out of shape, subsequently he managed to get involved with the kart in front and both lost out as they fell behind after the contact, finishing 4th he had a result but I know he would have wished a different journey through the final, for me an incredibly sad conclusion on a few different levels…..that’s racing though and we move on as always.

Over in the Bambino class, Freddie was enjoying the challenge of some National Bambino Championship competitors who had turned up for the first Bambino trophies in the Roy Mortara. Freddie is our smallest driver in his first season but has the biggest smile and did really well setting PB's throughout the day.

Driver progress overall at CKC is good, a rollercoaster of emotions with Sam and James but pleased that James’s efforts were recognized, disappointment in Ben's case that the confusions surrounding the control of tyres means that a number are potentially losing out, ultimately it was a key factor in two racers being involved in an incident together when had normal circumstances prevailed they would have been together on track battling as normal – hard and clean.

Onwards and upwards - Keep it flat.

Supporters: Cummins and Pope - www.cummins-pope.co.uk Walker Bros - www.walkerbrotherselectrical.co.uk Sawmills Garage - www.sawmillsgarage.co.uk

Without this support the team could not continue to operate on a low cost basis, the development of youngsters in karting at this early stage is vital to the continuity of our sport, Veneno will always be about the driver and is thankful for the generous support of its sponsors.