STUART PARKER NOTCHES UP TWO TOP FIVE RESULTS: by Helen Pask.
Metheringham Superkart driver Stuart Parker secured a brace of fourth places in the first round of the MSA British Superkart Championship at Mallory Park on Sunday.
The championship opener saw a large entry from drivers across the UK and Parker was under no illusion of the competition he was up against.
The weather was warm and dry for free practice and Parker took full advantage of the track conditions to post some fast times ahead of qualifying later in the day and said:
“Over the past two weeks we have been working on using a different rear wing to help with down force to not only improve grip but to help reduce tyre degradation. I didn’t want to use good tyres for free practice so I put some 3-year-old tyres on. I could not believe it when the kart handled so well, the wing had proved better than expected.”
With a full grid of karts due on track for qualifying, Parker was quick to get out before the rush and using new tyres he quickly posted two hot laps before retiring back to the pits.
It was agreed beforehand that the best strategy was to get some quick laps in before the rest of the teams got out there and it proved to be the right decision as, just a few laps into the session, the track was congested with large numbers of competitors all trying to post the quickest lap.
The qualifying was close with the top 10 drivers all posting times within a second of each other and Parker found he had done enough to secure seventh place on the grid for the opening race of the season.
As the first event got underway Parker maintained his position but struggled to make any progress further up the field. After three laps the kart developed a chassis problem, which saw Parker struggle for speed but he was determined to get a good result and drove through the problem to complete the race in fourth position.
“I managed to get up to fourth position but back markers had meant the front three karts had got away from myself and the two karts following me, who I knew were trying to make a pass. I did make an effort to get on terms with the driver holding third place but a faulty spark plug caused an engine misfire which halted my challenge on the very last corner.”
The second encounter was a very close affair with the first 10 drivers bumper to bumper in the opening laps with Parker in the midst of the action in seventh position.
But small amounts of rain were beginning to fall causing the track to become slippery and at 140mph in a train of 10 karts, one slip could be lethal. Parker narrowly missed a collision and fell back, losing places as the front-runners continued to push hard.
But while several drivers struggled for grip, Parker managed to stay at the front and sensibly had also preserved his tyres. He went on to claim fourth place once again at the chequered flag.
“I had learned where the track was slippery and the places it was safe to overtake, explained Parker. “I had perhaps been a bit over-cautious but I realised the need to complete the race to succeed in the championship.”
The points were calculated over the two races and Parker is now comfortably placed in joint third place in the standings. He now focuses his attention on the next round to be run at Oulton Park on May 26
Photography © Nova Images
STUART PARKER WARMS UP FOR NEW SEASON: by Helen Pask.
Two fourth places at Mallory Park were sufficient to give Metheringham Superkart driver Stuart Parker a fourth place overall in the warm-up races prior to the start of the British championship.
Following a very wet practise at Oulton Park on Friday, the team arrived at Mallory to prepare for Sunday’s qualifying. But with a full grid of some 40 competitors Parker struggled to get a clear track to post a fast time. However a clear track on lap eight saw him post a time strong enough to secure a front row start in second place alongside pole setter Jason Dredge.
As the first race began Parker dropped to third behind Dredge and European champion Gavin Bennett. He followed the pair closely and was looking strong until the kart developed a chassis problem on the second lap resulting in the seat dislodging.
Parker spent the remainder of the race struggling to hold position but was overcome on the last corner of the final lap to claim fourth place at the chequered flag.
“I was feeling confident on the first lap but then I felt the seat come loose and struggled through the rest of the race to hold position and to remain in the kart,” he explained.
Race two saw Parker make a start from a second row grid position and immediately make a challenge for the race-lead. But after a few laps the pace began to take its toll on the tyres causing the kart to slide around on cornering. But Parker managed to stay in control and crossed the finish line for fourth place once again.
“Once the tyres went off I was having to slow for corners I would normally take flat out. I realised the broken seat had resulted in me being over aggressive on cornering consequently wearing the tyres,”
He went on to say: “The two fourth places resulted in a joint third place overall on the day and I now feel I have got the kart in a position where I can be competitive in the first round of the British Championship which takes place back at Mallory on April 13.”
Stuart Parker 193 Heads the Field: Photography © Joy Parker.
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