British Open Championship
Buckmore Kart Circuit – Kent 6/7th May
Race Report
Garford becomes Vice British Open Champion at first attempt!
The Notorious ‘one off’, ‘winner takes’ all ‘0’ Plate event took place at the weekend just a stone’s throw from Brands Hatch. So while Motorbase where their busy collecting silverware in both touring cars and JCW minis at the BTCC meeting, their Young Academy driver Alfie Garford was trying to emulate the same thing down the road
.Qualifying heats went fairly well but not without a few hiccups, a 5 second penalty in the 2nd of 3 heats gave Garford a 5th, 12th & 3rd place finishes to line him up on the 3rd row of the grid for the final.
A blistering pace was set in the final from the front pack, making hard work to move through the field, but with near perfect laps Alfie found himself in 3rd with 2 laps to go. A final push put him on the back bumper of the leader going into the last lap. Unfortunately it was well defended and Alfie crossed the line in second place.
After the race Alfie commented ‘It was an extremely intense race. I did not drive a single corner wrong, but neither did my rivals, and at such a fast none stop circuit, it certainly tested my fitness. Overall I’m happy with the 2nd place especially as it’s my first year in the senior class, but as always I was looking to take the win.’
