We take victory in BP Ultimate Karting Championship.
by team manager Northern Munkah
"A full report into how we get on at Wembley - complete with any number of excuses we've gleaned from interviews conducted over the course of the year - will be published next week..." - or so we wrote on Friday as Crash.net prepared for an entry into the BP Ultimate Karting Championship.
However, after two hours of racing action around the circuit that will host the Race of Champions this coming weekend, it was the eleven other teams who were left to roll out the excuses after Team Crash stormed to victory by four laps - not bad for three fat blokes who expected to be slow and a racing driver who we didn't actually need in the end...
The event itself, to give the press the opportunity to sample the specially-constructed circuit ahead of the big event, saw twelve teams of between four and seven drivers doing battle in an endurance race - with Team Crash made up of journos Pete Wadsworth, Craig Llewellyn, Matt Salisbury and, our secret weapon, BTCC race winner Tom Onslow-Cole.
Having survived being rear-ended by a white van man en route to Wembley, and following two practice laps around the circuit, it was left to motoring editor Wadsworth to take the start from third place on the grid - although not out of choice after he was selected as the first driver while looking for his gloves back in the changing rooms.
Despite being tipped into a spin by one of our rivals - clearly shocked at the speed displayed by our 'slow' driver - Pete maintained his place near the front with only F3 driver Sam Bird able to make a move for position and pull away.
It soon became apparent that strategy would be key as well, with the decision to run four half-hour stints meaning that Pete hit the front as others pitted for driver changes.
Surviving the damp conditions following earlier rain, Pete pitted to hand over to Matt, with kart #8 soon moving into the lead. However, a coming together with Metro, while lapping the backmarker, led to the scandalous decision to hand out a drive-through penalty which cost more than 30 seconds and dropped us back to third place.
However, by the time the second stint drew to a close, we were the quickest team on track and back out front with our lead more than a lap.
Next up came motorsport editor Craig, with the regular kart racer looking to extend our advantage. Unfortunately, certain people hadn't clicked that slowing down on the racing line to enter the pits wasn't the cleverest thing to do, which meant that our resident Welshman found himself baulked on more than one occasion.
Despite that, and a flood on the start-finish straight after someone spun into the barrier, he extended the lead to just over two laps over Pistonheads, with victory starting to look secure.
It left the run to the flag to Onslow-Cole although, in truth - and he admitted it - we didn't need to rely on our 'ringer' to clinch victory. With Pistonheads being given a drive-through penalty and the teams behind all fighting for position, Tom was able to just extend the advantage, and even managed to equal the track record, as he brought Team Crash home four laps clear of anyone else.
There then followed the prize ceremony, where we were presented with a nice big trophy of the sort that the England football team would love to get its hands on - before starting preparations for the defence of our title next year...
We will be back!
Team quotes:
"For sure we made a good race, the team did a great job so, for sure, we'd like to thank them, We had good balance for most of the race and, for sure, it was hard work but, for sure, we really enjoyed ourselves. For sure, huge thanks to the guys back at the factory, who did a great job with the car. For sure, we had the best package out there today." - Pete Wadsworth.
"Our rivals must have tried to fix the race for me to get the penalty as the corner was mine and the other guy turned in. But, even though we don't look like racing drivers, we showed them how its done and made it easy for Tom - he won't get a race that easy in the BTCC. What a great win, about time some Englishmen (with a bit of help from someone over the border) won at Wembley..." - Matt Salisbury.
"I am over the moon to beat the English on home soil! Invoking the spirit of Tom Pryce clearly worked a treat, but the boys done good. We made a good start early doors, took each lap as it came and treated the race like a marathon not a sprint. It's a funny old game, and there is definitely more to come from this team if we get our heads down and work hard before next season. At the end of the day, we are facing a determined opposition, who are currently as sick as parrots, and know it will always go to the wire. We will be giving 110 per cent until the fat lady sings." - Craig Llewellyn
"My first podium finish in the BTCC at Rockingham and my first win at Snetterton in what was the home event for RAC were both brilliant this season. However, this was one of the big highlights of the year, we were the best team and taking that trophy from Wembley is mega" - Tom Onslow-Cole
With thanks to BP Ultimate, Wembley Stadium and Daytona Karting
2007 BP Ultimate Karting Championship results - Wembley Stadium:
1. Crash.net 150 laps
2. Autocar 146 laps
3. Auto Express 145 laps
4. Evo 145 laps
5. Pistonheads 145 laps
6. BP One 142 laps
7. BP Two 141 laps
8. Ultimate 97 141 laps
9. Metro 139 laps
10. Ultimate 102 138 laps
11. Stuff 134 laps
12. BBC Sport 124 laps
