HRS and Karting N E - as many of you know rumours have been circulating about the circuit and its future. The facts are as follows. Both hire and owner driver karting will continue in the current format with only small changes re access times. In other words both the Fun and MSA meetings will continue as they are now. HRS is an expanding business and they need more space to develop their
business particularly in light of their success in both the British and European Rotax Championships. KNE also wish to develop and expand the core business which is entry level kart racing, hire kart activity and off-road and tarmac motorbike activity. The pressure on space is the issue which may well be resolved by HRS moving off the circuit. How ever discussions are ongoing and no decisions have
been made. Please ignore the gossip as it is pointless and only damaging to all concerned.

Quartered Flag - this flag was used at the MSA meeting last Sunday but I am not convinced that all drivers knew or realised what it was for. The incident occurred on the grass at corner 1 i.e. the circuit was clear but the paramedics and MSA officials were moving to the scene of the incident. The flag was shown to the leader on the Start line and then to all following karts. The leader (who better
remain anonymous) kept going flat out as did the chasing karts. He did then get the message and slowed down on the subsequent lap which, inevitably, allowed the following karts to catch up. The incident was removed and the race restarted at the Start line by the waved green flag. The procedure does work as it slows karts as they pass the incident allowing an immediate restart as soon as the Clerk
gives the “go ahead”.

Byker Grove - many thanks to all those who assisted us with the filming at Warden Law. The series starts in September with a karting theme throughout the series. Given the success of the “live action” I would expect the series to generate new interest in karting from the teenagers who watch the programme.

Fun Meetings
Great entry – a good day’s racing. Well done Gemma Muse for getting the “Driver of the Day” award. Apparently the older you are the better you drive?

A few points need to be made re the timing system.

MSA Weekend
The WLKC committee, on behalf of the membership, organised a presentation to Tristram Oman to mark his success in wining the Rotax European Championship. He was presented with a framed collection of photos covering his career along with a silver memento.

Saturday practice raised one issue in particular. It involved the parent of one of our club members verbally abusing the family & driver who were visiting the circuit for the first time. Not surprisingly the visitor made a mistake which, unfortunately, resulted in him colliding with the rear of the kart in front. Deliberate? No! I hope the driver and his family remember their first visit to Warden Law for their success on the Sunday and not the abuse directed at them on the Saturday.

The club is reviewing its arrangements re medical cover for MSA meetings. If you are either a doctor, paramedic or nurse with relevant qualifications and you attend MSA meetings on a regular basis please can you have a word with Ian Lawson.

Likewise the club needs regular and reliable marshalls. So if you are over 16 and you are interested in marshalling at MSA events please contact Ian. Expenses of £30 per day are paid.

The Rookie Challenge
As the season progresses the competition is developing. It is particularly close between Tom Shipman and Daniel Patterson in Junior Max but both the Mini Max and WTP classes are still wide open. Please check your results and points each month so that any corrections can be made before the next WLKC meeting. We do not want to get to the end of the season for a driver to query results, say, in June.

WLKC Charity Endurance Race / BBQ and Social Night
The intention is to organise a Charity Fundraiser on Saturday 15th October starting at 5.30 pm. The format will be 30 mins practice followed by a 2 hour race. Each team must have at least 4 drivers with at least 1 female driver and no more than 2 MSA licence holders / Fun meeting entrants / recognized drivers. As a result there will be a minimum of 3 driver changes with no driver driving more than 30
minutes. It is intended to be a “fun” event i.e. no contact with karts / kerbs and no aggressive / dangerous driving with all drivers accepting the decision of the Clerk of Course who will be running the event. As KNE will be making no charge for the supply of the karts & circuit they will expect all drivers to race with respect for the equipment provided. The money raised will be split 50:50 between
the WLKC and the Headstart charity. Headstart are based in Newcastle and provide long term care for individuals who are recovering from severe head injuries often resulting from motorsport or motorcycle accidents. They are not funded by the NHS but are, never the less, an essential part of the regions
health care for injuries of this type. The cost per team is £180 (entry fee payable to WLKC) to include 4 BBQ tickets. Additional tickets for the BBQ will be available.

Remember...we are open for testing this Bank Holiday
29th August from 9am to 4pm