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Location	Premier Karting, Woodley
Date	19/01/2009
Cost	£55
Spaces	36
Deadline	17/01/2009
Event Information	This event has now taken place.

Event Results Available

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Event Report

So, after scrambling around searching for the official results (which I forgot to pick up!) I am now in a position to offer up a quick report.

The first of 2009 and also the start of indoor events that we hope will spread nationwide so that everyone can come and join in the fun!

We were in Woodley, Berkshire (near Reading) and whilst there were some CSMA Karting regulars in attendance, it was also fantastic to see so many new faces and also hear how many people were trying out karting for the first time. 34 drivers in total and a good few spectators into the mix as well.

The general buzz around before things kicked off was great - even if the temperature of the room was not! This may have been dubbed a "winter warmer" event but it was colder than our outdoor events! Still, cold air gives these single engine karts an extra kick and with the ultra-slick surface, it was going to be fun for novice and experienced alike!

The evening took the form of a Super-GP. Every driver started with some practice and then went into a series of 6 heats. Through each of the heats, every driver started from every grid slot to ensure fairness.

Points were accumulated for finishing positions and tallied up to give us a scoreboard. With the turnaround of heats so quick, there was constant on track action and much banter in the busy viewing area. Everyone had their stories!

After the heats were done and dusted, the top 16 drivers went through to the semi finals. With the top 3 from each of these going forward to the grand final.

And, oh what a final! It was exciting from start to finish - nearly everyone had stuck around to watch and you could see (and hear!) that people were enjoying the action. Allan W took an early lead, with Drew and Ollie in attendance. Chris a little further back and Tom and Robert not far behind again.
Over a lap or so, things looked more settled, however this wouldn't last.

Oli was fast onto the bridge and with the wide line being the fastest into the slippy pit complex, this left a gap on the inside. However, this move to the inside was to cause double trouble as first Oli and Drew made contact, slipping drew back to 4th and promoting Chris to 3rd and then exactly the same incident off the bridge took out Alan and Oli the next lap.

This all left Chris out front with Drew following. It was a lap of 2 halfs - Chris able to pull a gap through the pit complex and then lose it all onto the bridge. Going into the last lap, Chris had a lead of about 3 car lengths but - as is customary on the final lap - Drew made a do or die lunge up the inside onto the bridge (out of the site of the crowds!) and Chris was left up against the barrier out of position. Through the final pit complex, Chris did catch back the gap and made sure a "love tap" was applied into the final hairpin, but the victory went to Drew and the karts crossed the line just 0.4s apart. Behind, Alan was ahead of Oli by just 0.3s and Tom only a second further back.

A fantastically close end to a great nights entertainment.

Everyone had a great night and many new faces were left with the karting bug! The older hands now just waiting for the start of the 2009 outdoor season!

Thanks to everyone for supporting the event and bringing such good humour and enthusiasm. If you enjoyed this event, please keep your eyes peeled for all the events coming up in 2009.

See you at the next one!

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