British Superkart Championship

Last updated

The British Superkart Championship is a kart racing series run in the United Kingdom under the auspices of the British Superkart Association under Motor Sports Association regulations. The karts race on full-size British circuits such as Silverstone, Donington, Brands Hatch, Pembrey, Anglesey Circuit, Bishopscourt (Northern Ireland), Castle Combe, Darley Moor, Snetterton, Croft, Cadwell Park, Thruxton and Oulton Park with the running of the MSA British Superkart Grand Prix at Donington Park which includes the British round of the European Superkart Championship.

Contents

Classes

The British Superkart Championship runs two packages for four classes.

In 2009, the Formula 450 National was first run within British Superkart events, running on 250 chassis featuring 450cc single-cylinder four-stroke engines, primarily the KTM engine. The Division 1, MSA 250 National and 450 classes are grouped together in one package. On a number of occasions during a season, the two groups are run together in one meeting, most notably the MSA British Superkart Grand Prix and the UK Cup event, but they run separate calendars for the majority of the season.

Champions

In recent years, drivers such as Gavin Bennett, Paul Platt, Toby Davis (VW Racing Cup) Nathan Freke (Ginetta works driver), Lewis Williamson (Formula Renault), James Tucker and Jake Green (Formula Ford) have all raced and won championships in Superkarts. Nigel Mansell raced on the Long Circuits before going on to win the 1992 Formula One Season.

2008: Class1st2nd3rdGP WinnerUK Cup Winner
Division 1Dave Harvey Carl Hulme Paul Kennings Lee Harpham Trevor Roberts
MSA 250 National Jason Dredge Don KennedyJames O'ReillyJason Dredge Gavin Bennett
250 Clubman Sam Moss Kevin Waring Stuart ParkerN/AN/A
125 Open Paul Platt James IrvineDan EdwardsPaul PlattJames Irvine
125 ICC Danny Butler Michael Groves Bruce Crawley Lewis WilliamsonDanny Butler
2009: Class1st2nd3rdGP WinnerUK Cup Winner
Division 1Carl HulmeTrevor RobertsDave Harvey Peter Elkmann (Deu)Carl Hulme
MSA 250 NationalJames O'ReillyJames TuckerJason DredgeJames TuckerJames O'Reilly
250 ClubmanPaul Platt Toby Davis Martin Goodliffe N/AN/A
125 OpenDan EdwardsLee Morgan Louise Colin Dan EdwardsLee Morgan
125 ICC Lloyd Scrivens Adam Underhill Kevin GrayJake GreenChris Needham
2010: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'
Division 1Trevor RobertsGavin BennettTrevor Roberts
MSA 250 NationalJason DredgeJason DredgeJason Dredge
125 OpenDanny ButlerDanny EdwardsChris Needham
2011: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'
Division 1Gavin BennettCarl HulmeGavin Bennett
MSA 250 NationalPaul PlattJason DredgeJason Dredge
125 OpenBen WillshireDanny ButlerBen Willshire
2012: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'
Division 1Charles CravenLee HarphamChris Needham
MSA 250 NationalPaul PlattLuis WallPaul Platt
125 OpenDanny EdwardsDanny EdwardsMatt Isherwood
2013: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'
Division 1Gavin BennettGavin BennettGavin Bennett
MSA 250 NationalPaul PlattToby DavisPaul Platt
125 OpenLee HarphamDanny EdwardsDanny Edwards
2014: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'
Division 1Carl HulmeLiam MorleyLiam Morley
MSA 250 NationalPaul PlattPaul PlattGavin Bennett
125 OpenChris NeedhamChris NeedhamChris Needham
450Stephen Clark
2015: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'
Division 1Liam MorleyLiam MorleyLiam Morley
MSA 250 NationalGavin BennettPaul PlattDan Clark
125 OpenLee HarphamChris NeedhamKirk Cattermole
450Stephen Clark

Press features

Outside of motoring circles, Superkarts are under-publicised. In May 2007, Autocar magazine ran a video track test of a 250 National Superkart round Cadwell Park, with Chris Harris describing Superkart drivers as "... completely mad", and "... the biggest collection of loonies anywhere on planet earth". Even David Coulthard described driving a Superkart as "one of the most frightening things I have ever had to do". In 2009, Valentino Rossi drove a Superkart round Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, beating the Superkart veterans and former Moto GP heroes Wayne Rainey and Eddie Lawson in an exhibition race before the Moto GP round at Laguna.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kart racing</span> Motorsport using go-karts

Kart racing or karting is a motorsport discipline using open-wheel, four-wheeled vehicles known as go-karts or shifter karts. They are usually raced on scaled-down circuits, although some professional kart races are also held on full-size motorsport circuits. Karting is commonly perceived as the stepping stone to the higher ranks of motorsports, with most Formula One drivers—including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Nico Rosberg, and Max Verstappen—having begun their careers in karting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Prix motorcycle racing</span> Premier championship of motorcycle road racing

Grand Prix motorcycle racing is the highest class of motorcycle road racing events held on road circuits sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM). Independent motorcycle racing events have been held since the start of the twentieth century and large national events were often given the title Grand Prix. The foundation of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme as the international governing body for motorcycle sport in 1949 provided the opportunity to coordinate rules and regulations in order that selected events could count towards official World Championships. It is the oldest established motorsport world championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wayne Rainey</span> American motorcycle racer (born 1960)

Wayne Wesley Rainey is an American former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, he won the 500cc World Championship three times and the Daytona 200 once. He was characterized by his smooth, calculating riding style, and for his intense rivalry with compatriot Kevin Schwantz, between 1987 and 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donington Park</span> Motorsport circuit in England

Donington Park is a motorsport circuit located near Castle Donington in Derbyshire, England. The circuit business is now owned by Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision organisation, and the surrounding Donington Park Estate, still owned by the Wheatcroft family, is currently under lease by MotorSport Vision until 2038. It has a capacity of 120,000, and is also the venue of the Download Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superkart</span> Racing series that uses karts on long circuits

Superkart is a form of motorsport road racing that uses karts on long circuits. The bigger difference between a superkart and most other forms of kart is that they have full aerodynamic bodykits, as well as having a longer wheel base than sprint chassis, and are generally raced on car circuits over 1,500 metres in length. The power unit, most often but not exclusively two-stroke 250 cc engines, can be specially designed kart engines or production motorcycle engines with either five- or six-speed sequential manual gearboxes. Owing to their high top speed and superb cornering ability, a superkart's aerodynamic bodywork includes a front fairing, larger sidepods, and a rear wing. They use either 130-or-150-millimetre-diameter tires and wheels and most often race on full size auto-racing circuits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cadwell Park</span> Motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England

Cadwell Park is a motor racing circuit in Lincolnshire, England, 5 mi (8.0 km) south of Louth, owned and operated by MotorSport Vision, a business associated with former racing driver Jonathan Palmer. Sited on former parkland across a steep-sided valley with dips and crests, the circuit features sharp changes in gradient, including one section called The Mountain where bikes can become airborne by up to several feet. Its mix of challenging corners has led to its nickname as the Mini-Nürburgring.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Haslam</span> British motorcycle racer

Ronald Haslam is an English former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer who had been racing for over thirty years, winning two World titles, four British championships and having ridden in almost 110 GPs. Haslam spends much of his time helping his son Leon Haslam in his racing career and previously trained riders and racers alike at his former Race School based at Donington racetrack, Leicestershire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season</span> Sports season

The 2007 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 59th F.I.M Road Racing World Championship season. The season consisted out of 18 races for the MotoGP class and 17 for the 125cc and 250cc classes, beginning with the Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix on 10 March 2007 and ending with the Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix on 4 November.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season</span> Sports season

The 2004 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 56th F.I.M. Road racing World Championship season. The season consisted of 16 races, beginning with the South African motorcycle Grand Prix on 18 April 2004 and ending with the Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix on 31 October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorsport in the United Kingdom</span> Overview of motorsport in the United Kingdom

Motorsport is a popular sport in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is a key player in the world of motorsport, hosting rounds of the Formula One World Championship and Grand Prix motorcycle racing, amongst others. It is also the home of many of the current teams in Formula One, such as McLaren, Williams and Aston Martin, while teams such as Red Bull Racing, Mercedes, Alpine and Haas are also based in England. There are also a range of popular national series held such as the British Touring Car Championship and the British GT Championship amongst others. The Motor Sports Association is the official governing body of motorsport in the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2008 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season</span> Sports season

The 2008 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 60th F.I.M. Road Racing World Championship season. The season consisted out of 18 races for the MotoGP class and 17 for the 125cc and 250cc classes, beginning with the Qatar motorcycle Grand Prix on 9 March 2008 and ending with the Valencian Community motorcycle Grand Prix on 26 October.

The 2007 Australian Superkart Championship was the 19th running of the national championships for Superkarts. It began on 6 May 2007 at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit and ended on 15 July at Eastern Creek Raceway after eight races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Granath</span> Swedish motorcycle racer

Bosse "Bo" Granath is a Swedish former Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. His most successful competitive year was 1972, when he finished fifth in the 500cc world championship riding a Husqvarna motorcycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Chatterton</span> British motorcycle racer

Derek Chatterton is a British former professional motorcycle road racer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 British motorcycle Grand Prix</span>

The 2005 British motorcycle Grand Prix was the ninth round of the 2005 MotoGP Championship. It took place on the weekend of 22–24 July 2005 at the Donington Park circuit. It was also marked the final victory of Valentino Rossi in the wet race at the British circuit until the 2015 event was held at the Silverstone Circuit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">British Motorcycle Racing Club</span>

The British Motorcycle Racing Club (BMCRC), informally Bemsee, is the largest motorcycle racing club of its type in the UK and organises a range of championships including Clubman and Supersport 600, Thunderbikes, Superstock 1000, Formula 400s and sidecars.

The Australian Superkart Championship is a motor racing series run in Australia under the auspices of CAMS under their Superkart regulations. The karts race on full-size Australian circuits and in 2013 the series was raced at Sydney Motorsport Park and Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. As of 2007 the series has raced as part of the Shannons Nationals Motor Racing Championships. The series is one of nine that enjoy full CAMS Australian Championship status.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MotorSport Vision</span> Motorsport organisations

MotorSport Vision (MSV) is a motorsport organisation and an operator of six UK venues. MSV has a portfolio ranging from major two- and four-wheel championships to organising the PalmerSport corporate driving event.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danny Kent</span> British motorcycle racer

Danny Ray Kent is an English motorcycle racer, best known for winning the 2015 Moto3 World Championship. In doing so he became Great Britain's first Grand Prix solo motorcycle world champion since Barry Sheene in 1977, as well as the first British lightweight class champion since Dave Simmonds in 1969.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MV Agusta 250 Bicilindrica</span> 250 cc factory racer manufactured by the Italian brand MV Agusta

The MV Agusta 250 Bicilindrica was a 250 cc factory racing motorcycle manufactured by the Italian brand MV Agusta from 1957 to 1961. With this machine 11 GPs, 2 Driver Championships and 2 manufacturers World Championships were won.