Junior Rotax

Gunn wins the Junior Rotax British Championship, back to back with the MiniMax British Championship in 2011.

Round 7 ~ Shenington Kart Club.

                                                    


The final round of the British Super One Junior Rotax Championship took place at the Shenington Kart Club near Banbury, Oxfordshire on October 13th/14th. Gunn arrived at the circuit leading the Championship on total scores, but after drop scores, Gunn was lying 2nd behind Kyle Fowlie by 13 points. {Note ~ two 'worst' scores have to be dropped in this Championship.} This would be a 'big ask' alone, but on top of this, Gunn had been ill for several days before the event and at one stage it was thought that he would be unable to race!

Friday testing went to plan, with Gunn feeling marginally better due to rest between practice sessions. As with the other rounds this year, Tooley Motorsport had prepared the kart for the weekend. During the six test sessions, two engines were tested, along with chassis set-up changes. In summary, Gunn was certainly on the pace, even though he was not 100% fit. Conditions were generally dry throughout the day, although at times the sky looked threatening.

Following the normal format of previous rounds, Saturday comprised of practice sessions, Timed Qualifying {TQ} and heats, in readiness for the point scoring Finals on Sunday. Gunn said that he was feeling "……a lot better, but still not 100%". For this final round, entries were slightly 'up' at 38 drivers. Gunn was drawn in the first TQ session, which started at 13.10 and recorded the fastest time in his session at 42.86 seconds. Jai Nijjar was second fastest at 42.91 seconds. The top ten drivers were covered by 0.31 s. Gunn's main rival {Fowlie} was in the second session, which immediately followed the first session. Fowlie was third fastest in his session, with a time of 43.09 seconds. When the times of the two sessions were combined, Gunn was on pole. {See TQ sheet below}


                                        

As at PFi {Round 6}, Gunn would be in group A for the Saturday and Sunday Heats. In this particular case, Gunn would be racing in one heat on Saturday {A v B} and one heat on Sunday {A v C}. Gunn lined up for his first heat on Saturday {Junior Rotax Heat One, time 15.28 hr} on the front row in pole position. The track was dry, so all karts were running on new controlled slicks. Gunn lead the race from start to finish; Josh White was in second position, 3.31 seconds behind Gunn. Fowlie, who started in 5th position, finished in this same position, but his fastest time was 0.18 seconds faster than Gunn. Gunn was working alone at the front, which might be the reason for his slower fastest time.


                               

Gunn's final heat was on Sunday morning, although cold, the sky was bright and as a consequence, all races were on slicks. Gunn lined up again in pole position for Heat 3 {A v C} at 10.40. Gunn took the lead from the start, but on lap 3 had dropped to third behind Josh Price and Oliver Norris. At the end of lap 4 Gunn had moved to second place behind Price and this battle continued until lap 11. Gunn retook the lead from Price but lost it again during the same lap. On the final lap, Gunn retook the lead to end the fifteen lap race in 1st position! The winning margin, after the 10 min plus one lap race, was 0.1 s. The top seven drivers were covered by less than one second. Another case of …..'close or what'! Gunn with two wins in the heats, would line up for the first Final in pole position!! Alongside him on the front row, was Price and Fowlie was in 7th position i.e. in a position where winning was a possibility.


                                      


The first Final was run in dry conditions and started at 14.10. Gunn made a good start to keep the lead, but dropped back behind Harry Webb {European Junior Rotax Champion} on lap 3. This position was maintained until lap 10 when Gunn took Webb for the lead. Further down the field, main Championship rival Fowlie was not having a good race. On lap 9, Fowlie was in 18th position after contact with other karts. Gunn retook the lead on lap 10 and crossed the line 1.7 seconds in front of Webb, after the twenty-two lap race. Gunn at this stage of the meeting had a perfect record….. Pole position in TQ, two heat wins and a win in the first Final. Fowlie eventually finished in 20th position.

Before the second Final took place, Tooley Motorsport carefully checked the Championship table ~ after drops, Gunn had 465 points and Fowlie had 457 points. In summary Gunn had to finish in front of Fowlie in the second final
The second Final would be held in overcast conditions initially, but the race ended in sunshine. Yet again the karts were racing on slicks. Gunn assembled on the grid in pole position, Gunn lead for the opening lap but was in fifth position by lap 5. On lap 10 Gunn moved into third position, behind Price and Myers. On lap 10 Gunn overtook Myers to take second position behind Price. Fowlie was lying in 12th position. The pace of the front five drivers was beginning to look somewhat 'hectic'; at the end of lap 17 Gunn was still lying in second position with the pack beginning to close in due to 'working together'. With Fowlie still in 10th position, Gunn decided to drop back from the 'maddening crowd' ….. just in case he was caught out and lose his position to Fowlie. Gunn eventually crossed the line after twenty two laps in 7th position; Fowlie was in 10th position.

Gunn had won the British Junior Rotax Championship in his first year!! If this was not enough, this is back to back after winning the Britsh Minimax Championship in 2011. This to the team's knowledge is the first time this has happened.

Gunn thanked Tooley Motorsport and his sponsors for 2012, MATT, Beechdean Dairy Ice Cream, Wholegrain Digital, Interplex Select Moulds and Trilogie {more details on Sponsors page}. Gunn also thanked Richard and Sue Labrum for updating the Website so promptly, and all those who have helped in 2012. Gunn is hoping to start racing in single seaters in 2013…….money allowing!

In summary, this has been a wonderful season for this talented driver ~ Gunn had to drop 77 points in the Championship, with Kyle Fowlie dropping 45 points. Gunn wishes to congratulate Fowlie on being such a clean and talented competitor.

                                                    
                                                                  The 2012 British Junior Rotax Champion Ross Gunn.



                                                    
                                                                      


                                                   
                                                                   Tooley Motorsport celebrate their worthy victory.
                                                    


Well done Ross ................................


                                                                           

Gunn scores highest points at a wet PFI….


Round 6 ~ PFi


                                                    

                                        

                                

                                     Discussing tactics with Ian Gunn                                After race discussion with Raoul Hyman


The first Final was run in dry conditions and started at 14.10. Gunn made a good start to the 15 mins. and 1 lap race and by lap 5 was in the lead. This he held until the end. The only slight threat came from Hyman, who at one stage closed the gap between Gunn and himself to one second at the end of lap 14. Gunn crossed the line 1.5 seconds in front of Hyman after the seventeen lap race.

The second Final would be held in very wet conditions and due to several program changes was held at 17.15. Gunn assembled on the grid in pole position, no mean feat bearing in mind the quality of the field; some of the best karters in Europe! Gunn lead for the opening laps {Lap 1 to Lap 8} but it was noticeable that Fowlie, Gunn's main contender for the Championship, was reducing the gap from 2.5 seconds to 0.7 seconds on lap 7. The 15 minute plus one lap race ended with Fowlie wining and Gunn 1.2 seconds behind. Gunn congratulated Fowlie, who certainly had better 'grip' in the wet conditions. With a win in Final one and a second in Final two, Gunn left PFi knowing that he had scored the most points at the meeting………… not bad for his first season in Junior Rotax!

Gunn thanked Tooley Motorsport and his sponsors for 2012, MATT, Beechdean Dairy Ice Cream, Wholegrain Digital, Interplex Select Moulds and Trilogie {more details on Sponsors page}. Gunn also thanked Richard and Sue Labrum for attending the meeting and updating the Website so promptly.

Gunn still leads the Championship, but drop scores now have to be considered if winning the British Championship is to be achieved…………. Shenington will be very important!


                                                    
                                                                      Gunn on the parade car ..... wet and damp!

Gunn disappointed with results but still leading the Championship….


Round 5 ~ Wigan


                                                    

Round 5 of the British Super One Junior Rotax Championship involved another long trip to the Three Sisters circuit on the outskirts of Wigan. See links page for contact details for the circuit.

Gunn attended the Friday {August 24th} testing, which was dry for the whole day. Three engines were tested, but the final test session was curtailed to only 4 minutes due to an accident in the preceding Honda Cadet session. In summary, the testing went well, with Gunn certainly one of the fastest in the class. The only problem was in the penultimate session when Gunn came in saying that there was a bad vibration. On inspection, the engine had been pushed back, allowing the drive chain to become loose. Tell-tale signs on the engine securing mounts, indicated that the 'higher than normal curbs' ~ this circuit is also used by cars for sprinting and rallycross~ had been contacted. As usual Gunn was part of the Tooley Motorsport team.

As at Larkhall {Round 4}, 40 drivers had entered for qualifying on Saturday. The day started with the normal two practice sessions, the second session conducted on wet tyres but with a drying track. At the end of the last test session, Gunn ended as 4th quickest having been fastest for most of the session. Time qualifying {TQ} started at 13.10 for the first group of Junior Rotax drivers. Gunn, as at Larkhall, was drawn in the second group, thus having the slight advantage of knowing what the first group had recorded and 'what to beat'. The fastest time in the first group was set by Rob Holland {lying 2nd in the Championship} with a time of 44.40 seconds, with Thomas Randle having the same time. They were 0.12 seconds in front of the third fastest driver, Kyle Fowlie. For the second session, Gunn only completed 5 flying laps {7 laps in total} out of the 12 laps that most other drivers completed. With 6m 36s to go in the 10 minute session, Gunn obtained the fastest time but yet again, the engine moved backwards with the chain becoming very slack. Gunn had been caught out by the high Wigan curbs. Gunn's fastest time of 44.61 seconds, placed him 8th in the session. The fastest driver was Ben Hingeley with an impressive 44.22 seconds. Wigan is Hingelely's home circuit and this was clearly shown by his times. Gunn finished 14th overall, unusually 'low down' for this talented driver. This meant that Gunn would be in group B for the Saturday and Sunday Heats. In this particular case, Gunn would be racing in both of his heats on the Saturday, with a 'relaxing' Sunday to look forward to!!

Note: Congratulations to Tooley Motorsport team member Michael MacPherson, who put his Honda Cadet on pole with a time of 52.06 seconds. Well done Michael on your first pole!!!

                                                     
                                                                                              Those high curbs!!



Gunn lined up for his first heat on Saturday {Junior Rotax Heat 1 Groups A v B time 15.20 hr} on the outside of the fifth row in 10th position. Not a good position to be at the end of the start/finish straight. Although the skies were very threatening, all karts were racing on slicks on a dry track. Gunn impressively moved through the field, bearing in mind the quality of these drivers…..by the end of lap 1 ~ 9th, end of lap 2 ~ 8th, etc… by the end of lap 5 Gunn was in 5th position. By lap seven, Gunn was in 4th position and stayed there until the last lap when he moved into 3rd position. It was clear from this heat that Hingeley would be a hard 'nut to crack'…… he was 1.16 seconds in front of Gunn, with a time that was 0.32 seconds faster than Gunn's best time!

Gunn's second heat {Heat 2 ~ Group B v C} also took place on Saturday at 17.00, yet again with threatening skies but with a dry track. Gunn in this case started in 9th position {inside 5th row}. The start for Gunn was not good, being caught up in the 'large pack' entering the first corner. By the end of lap 1, Gunn was placed in 15th position! Yet again Gunn started to climb through the field to end in a disappointing {for him} 8th position. During the race, rain started with only 1 minute to go of the 10 min plus 1 lap race. It was encouraging that Gunn obtained the fastest lap, with a time of 44.12 seconds. This became the event record for the weekend!


                               


Gunn would line up in 8th position {4th row outside!} for the first Final on Sunday. This took place just after 14.00 hrs with a dry track and blue skies above!!! This time Gunn was not caught up in the opening corner 'madness' and by the end of lap 3 was in 6th place. This he maintained to the end of the 15 mins. plus 1 lap final. Yet again Hingeley showed his authority by winning the final, with a massive 6.07 seconds lead in front of second place driver Sam Marsh. For the Grand Final, which took place at 16.45 hrs, yet again in dry conditions, Gunn lined up in 6th position and maintained this position for 21 laps. He took Raoul Hyman on the last but one corner, of the last lap to finish in 5th position.

As a result of Gunn's results, Gunn is still leading the Championship but the 'healthy' 11 points lead has been reduced to 4 points. With only two rounds to go {PFi and Shenington}, drop scores will have to be considered……….. Gunn realises that these coming rounds are all important, if he is to win the Junior Rotax British Championship. Gunn thanked Tooley Motorsport and his sponsors for 2012, MATT, Beechdean Dairy Ice Cream, Wholegrain Digital, Interplex Select Moulds and Trilogie {more details on Sponsors page}.

Gunn still leading the Championship…… BUT…….

Round 4 ~ Larkhall

                                                    



Round 4 of the British Super One Junior Rotax Championship involved a long trip from Prestwood, home of the British MiniMax Champion Ross Gunn, to the Larkhall circuit, just 20 miles South of Glasgow. Larkhall is the home of the West of Scotland kart club where the current Formula 1 driver, Paul di Resta spent most of his karting career.

On this particular occasion, Gunn could attend the Friday {July 6th} testing, which was wet in the morning, but eventually turned dry in the afternoon. Gunn was only 0.2 s off the fastest time, but was running on old tyres, so he was very encouraged at the end of the day. The major changes during the testing session were engine changes and for the fourth session, a new chassis was used. As usual Gunn was part of the Tooley Motorsport team.

Numbers were slightly down for qualifying on Saturday, 40 compared to 43 at Rowrah. As in all of the Super One rounds, Saturday started with two practice sessions with time qualifying {TQ} starting at 13.10 for the first group of Junior Rotax drivers. Gunn was 'unusually' drawn in the second group, thus knowing what the first group had recorded and 'what to beat'. The fastest time in the first group was set by Raoul Hyman with a time of 48.76, a 'vast' 0.2 seconds in front of the second fastest driver, Ben Hingeley. During the 10 minute session, Gunn on lap 11 recorded his fastest time of 49.97 seconds. Gunn finished 4th overall, 0.21 s off the pole position. This meant that Gunn would be in group A for the Saturday and Sunday Heats.

Gunn lined up for his first heat on Saturday {Junior Rotax Heat 1 Groups A v B} on the inside of the second row in 3rd position. Gunn dropped to 6th position during lap 1, primarily due to lack of grip and power. The track at this stage was still wet but drying and everyone was on used controlled wet tyres. During lap 2, Gunn gained a position and maintained 5th up to lap seven. On lap eight, Gunn dropped back to sixth and finished the 10 minute plus one lap race {equates to 14 laps} in this position. Gunn's fastest lap was 46.98 s, this was the 9th fastest time; the time difference off the fastest lap set by Kyle Fowlie being 0.41 s. Although Larkhall is Fowlie's home track, the time difference did indicate that Gunn didn't have his normal pace.

Gunn's second heat {Heat 3 ~ Group A v C} took place on Sunday {July 8th} at 10.40 in near perfect conditions…… about time for July! On this occasion, all drivers were on slicks {Group C would have used their new controlled slicks on Saturday {Heat 2 ~ Group B v C} in dry conditions}. Gunn again lined up in 3rd position on the grid. This was maintained up to lap 5 when Gunn moved into 2nd position. During lap 11 Gunn dropped down to third and then to fourth on lap 12. This was maintained to the end of the race…….. due to dry conditions, this ended up as a seventeen lap race. Gunn crossed the line 1.07 s behind the race winner, Oliver Myers. Gunn's fastest time was 0.12 s off the fastest time. As a result of Gunn's heat results, he was 5th overall in the heat points.

For the first Final, Gunn lined up on the inside of the 3rd row; the conditions were still dry! The finals would be 15 minutes duration plus one lap, giving a race duration of a grueling twenty four laps! In the bedlam of the opening laps………. yes bedlam is a very suitable word to use…….. Gunn gained 3rd position by lap 3. This position was held to lap 17, when Gunn dropped down to 5th , when Marsh and Holland took Gunn. This was maintained to the line. Gunn was 2.62 seconds behind the winner Hyman, who showed tremendous pace during the race, although Fowlie had the fastest lap of 38.87 s. Gunn was 0.15 s off this fastest lap.
The Grand Final started just after 4.0 o/clock on Sunday, ending yet another very busy weekend in mixed weather conditions. Gunn started this Final in 5th position {as a result of finishing 5th in the first Final}. Gunn gained two places very quickly after an excellent start but then dropped to fourth until lap twelve. Gunn eventually dropped to seventh and seemed to be struggling with power issues. Gunn crossed the line in this position, recording his lowest position of the Championship. Gunn's fastest time was 0.2 s off the fastest lap.

As a result of Gunn's results, Gunn is still leading the Championship by a 'healthy' 11 points, BUT both Hyman and Fowlie lying in 3rd and 4th respectively, have closed the gap.

Gunn thanked Tooley Motorsport and his sponsors for 2012, MATT, Beechdean Dairy Ice Cream, Wholegrain Digital, Interplex Select Moulds and Trilogie {more details on Sponsors page}.

                                                    
                                                                                       Drivers line up at Larkhall.

Gunn returns to the top of the Championship.

Round 3 ~ Rowrah

After a slightly disappointing O plate meeting at the beginning of June, Gunn returned to the beautiful racetrack at Rowrah, Cumbria on June 16th and 17th. This was Round 3 of the British Super One Junior Rotax Championship. Again Gunn couldn't attend the Friday testing, as school exams took precedence, so Gunn arrived late on Friday night with an immediate disadvantage compared with the other drivers.

The entry list was as strong as ever, with 43 Junior Rotax drivers qualifying on Saturday. The weather was very un- 'Flaming June' like, with a mixture of drizzle and overcast skies throughout the whole day. Whatever happened to 'Global Warming'? As in all of the Super One rounds, Saturday started with two practice sessions with time qualifying {TQ} starting at 13.33 for the first group of Junior Rotax drivers. Gunn was YET AGAIN drawn in the first group and as a result, didn't have the advantage of knowing what time to beat. During the 10 minute session, Gunn on lap six recorded the fastest first sector of 19.32 seconds. This was never bettered during the TQ. On the final lap of the 10 minutes session, Gunn recorded a time of 57.44 s to provisionally take pole, but this was then beaten by Josh White, who followed Gunn's lines to take the fastest time in TQ1. After TQ2, which certainly had better track conditions than TQ1, along with the drivers having the advantage of knowing what times to beat, Gunn finished 6th overall, 0.58 s off the pole position. This meant that Gunn would be in group C for the Saturday and Sunday Heats.



                                        


Gunn lined up for his first heat on Saturday {Junior Rotax Heat 2 Groups B v C} on the outside of the second row in 4th position. Gunn gained third position during lap three and held this to the finish of the 10 minute plus 1 lap heat ~ this equates to 12 laps. The conditions were still wet……… no change there then! Gunn crossed the line 2.52 s behind the winner Kyle Fowlie. Gunn set the fastest lap of 56.65 s

Gunn's second heat was to be on Sunday in much better conditions. The times indicate this ~ a typical lap time on Saturday was low 57 seconds and on Sunday the lap times were typically around 47 seconds. This was race 18 on the program and represented Group A v C in the Junior Rotax formula. Gunn would line up in 3rd place due to the exclusion of Danny Kierle from the meeting, after an 'irregularity' with the engine had been found after Heat 1. Gunn took the lead on lap 2 and held this position to the end of the race. Gunn was 3.59 s ahead of the second place driver, Luke Whitworth. So Gunn with a 3rd and 1st in his heats would line up in 3rd position for the first Final………. Gunn said "….. this is a good position, as this will be inside for the first corner".

Gunn made a great start by taking second position and maintained this until lap 11 to take the lead from Kyle Fowlie. Gunn crossed the line to win the first Final by a very slim 8/100 s! This can be seen on a YouTube clip ~ see later details. A fantastic close race to the line ~ with this first Final victory, Gunn would line up in Pole position for The Grand Final.



                                       



                                
                                           Scrutineering after Final 1.                                          Gunn on pole for the Grand Final.


The Grand Final started just after 4.0 o/clock on Sunday, ending a very busy weekend in some dreadful weather. The race itself was a tussle from start to finish, with Gunn maintaining his lead until lap 2, when he was taken by a hard pressing Kyle Fowlie. Gunn stayed behind Fowlie for the next three laps, but a small mistake allowed a group of three karts to position Gunn in 5th for lap 6 and 7. Gunn retook Hingeley for 4th place; this he maintained up to lap 14. During the next lap Gunn moved into 3rd position, taking Hyman in the process. Gunn eventually finished the 20 lap race in 3rd position. Gunn in the process of this very exciting race obtained the fastest lap…….. the only driver to 'be in the 46's!

As a result of Gunn's results, Gunn moved back into the leading position of the Championship by a 'healthy' 11 points.
Gunn thanked Tooley Motorsport and his sponsors for 2012, MATT, Beechdean Dairy Ice Cream, Wholegrain Digital, Interplex Select Moulds and Trilogie {more details on Sponsors page}.


               
                                                    The Super One Race Rowrah report in MotorSport News.


                                
                               Fowlie and Gunn discuss the Grand Final.                          Another interview for Motors TV.

Gunn takes pole position in Time Qualifying.

Round 2 ~ Glan y Gors

                                                    

On Thursday 24th May, Gunn travelled to the Dragon Kart Club based at the picturesque circuit at Glan y Gors, near Corwen, North Wales. This was to be the second round of the British Super One Championship. Gunn has visited this track on many occasions before; in fact he held the Comer Cadet lap record for several months. The entry list was as strong as the first round, in fact 49 Junior Rotax drivers qualified on Saturday. Friday was spent testing with Gunn finishing the day having tried various engine, gearing and carburation setups to end the day feeling very pleased with the package. Gunn was certainly the fastest for most of the testing sessions. Unlike the weather at the first Round, this weekend was to be non-stop sunshine, with temperatures reaching the mid-twenties; a little too hot at times, especially for the drivers in their flame proof overalls and full face helmets!

As in all of the Super One rounds, Saturday started with two practice sessions with time qualifying {TQ} starting at 13.25 for the first group of Junior Rotax drivers. Gunn was again drawn in the first group and therefore not having the advantage of knowing what time to beat. During the 10 minute session, Gunn moved quickly to 1st fastest {on his 4th lap} and maintained this to end of the session, thus obtaining the fastest time of 42.81 s. Gunn was 0.15 s faster than the second place driver, Kyle Fowlie. The second group of Junior Rotax then immediately followed with Luke Hughes setting the fastest time of 42.93 s. So Gunn had qualified fastest in the total of 49 karts, making this his first pole position in TQ in Junior Rotax at only his second meeting!

As at Whilton Mill {Round 1}, Gunn lined up for his first heat {Junior Rotax Heat 1} in pole position and led from start to finish during the 10 minutes plus 1 lap heat {equates to 15 laps}. Gunn finished 2.44 s ahead of second place man, Oliver Norris. Gunn's fastest lap was only 0.02 s off the fastest time. In Gunn's second heat {Junior Rotax Heat 3}, Gunn again lined up in pole position, this time alongside Kyle Fowlie who had won his heat {Junior Rotax Heat 2}. Gunn maintained the lead at the first corner, but lost his lead on lap 2 to Fowlie. On lap 3 Gunn was beginning to show signs of 'reduced power' and lost three more places to lie fifth at the end of lap 4. A place was gained during lap 5 and this 4th place was maintained to the end of lap 13. Another place was momentarily gained through Devil's Elbow during lap 14 but Gunn eventually crossed the line in 4th position, 4.17 seconds behind the leader. It was interesting to see that the best times in the three sectors during this heat were generally between 0.1 and 0.2 seconds slower than Gunn's first heat, suggesting that the power was reduced. {Of course other factors can have an effect ~ track temperature, humidity etc.}, The winner of Junior Rotax Heat 3 was Kyle Fowlie; with two heat wins Fowlie would be on pole for the first Final on Sunday. Gunn would have to wait to see what the final Junior Rotax heat result would be on Sunday before he knew where he would start the first Final... Gunn was hoping for a 3rd position ~ inside for the first corner!

                                
                                     The new Clubhouse at Glan y Gors                              A view from the end of Dragon Straight.

On Sunday the weather was 'glorious' and after the final Heat was run, Gunn realized that he would be on the front row for his first Final of Junior Rotax……. a Final that was going to take place, unlike at Whilton Mill.
Gunn made a stunning plunge for the inside line on the opening lap and lead the 15 minutes plus 1 lap race for the first lap. By lap 4, Gunn was struggling with lack of power and dropped to 9th position! This continued during the race with Gunn eventually finishing in 12th position, 11.15 seconds behind the winner! Gunn's fastest lap was only 14th fastest in the order…………. On return to the Tooley Motorsport awning, the on board data logging equipment showed quite clearly a lack of pace. Not being sure where the problem lay, virtually everything on the kart was changed. With only just over an hour before the Grand Final, this was a 'somewhat' stressful time for the mechanics!

Gunn lined up in 12th position for the twenty-two lap Grand Final……… and progressively moved through the field…….. end of lap 10, lying in 8th position, end of lap 17, lying in 7th position. During the final laps of the race, two karts {Fowlie and Sowery} had a 'coming together' resulting in Fowlie's silencer being 'disconnected' from the engine and Sowery being excluded. Gunn as a result finished the Grand Final in 5th position, rapidly closing in on the top four and as a result, gaining valuable points in the Championship. Gunn had the 5th fastest time.

Gunn thanked Tooley Motorsport and his sponsors for 2012, MATT, Beechdean Dairy Ice Cream, Wholegrain Digital, Interplex Select Moulds and Trilogie {more details on Sponsors page}.

Gunn takes the lead after a Wet Whilton.


Round 1 ~ Whilton Mill

On Friday 27th April, Gunn joined the other 49 entries in the Junior Rotax class {see the Driver's list under Season, Junior Rotax} at the first round of the Super One Championship at the Whilton Mill Kart Club near Daventry, Northamptonshire. The total entry for the meeting was a 'staggering' 183 drivers and as a result, the paddock was a hive of activity. This was Gunn's first Super One meeting in his new class, after winning the British Mini Max Championship in 2011. Yet again Gunn was racing under the banner of Tooley Motorsport who were equipped with an impressive new awning and workshop facilities for the 2012 season. {Click on Team on the home page for images and details}

The weather forecast for the weekend was not looking promising, with rain and high winds indicated for Saturday and Sunday. With a wet track and light showers, Gunn starting testing his new 2012 kart on Friday and was quickly on the pace, ending the day {after four intensive sessions} satisfied that he was certainly in the 'top five' , if not quickest, in the large group.

After another couple of practice sessions on Saturday morning, time qualifying {TQ} started with Gunn selected in the first group of 26 karts. During the 10 minute session, Gunn moved quickly to 2nd fastest and then dropped down to 5th fastest , but with 2 minutes to go, ended the session with the fastest time of 59.11 s. Sam Marsh was second fastest with a time of 59.26 s. Yet again the session took place on a wet track, but the rain had stopped, resulting in a drying track for the second group of Junior Rotax. After TQ, Gunn said that he was pleased with his time, but felt that it would be beaten, due to the improving conditions. It took most of the session for Luke Hughes and Luke Whitworth to improve on Gunn's time; their respective fastest times were 58.86 s and 59.06 s. So Gunn was third fastest overall, which meant that he was in Group C for the heats. {See TQ results below}

Gunn lined up for his first heat {Junior Rotax Heat 2} in pole position and eventually crossed the line, after 14 laps, in second place only 0.76 s behind Josh Price. Gunn's fastest lap of 47.06 s was 0.14 s off the fastest lap of Luke Knott. In Gunn's second heat {Junior Rotax Heat 3}, Gunn lined up on the front row alongside Luke Hughes. Gunn took the lead at the first corner {Oblivion and Crook} and maintained this for the following 14 laps, extending his lead progressively throughout the race to finish 1.9 s in front of second place man, Kyle Fowlie.

With a first and second place in his heats, Gunn had secured pole position for Final 1 ……….this was Gunn's first Junior Rotax Pole at his first Super One meeting!

Well the weather on Sunday was 'having none of it' ………… although the final Junior Rotax heat was run in the morning, along with all the other remaining class heats {all except the remaining Honda Cadet heat}, this confirmed that Gunn would line up on pole for Final 1. The conditions steadily became so terrible that the track was 'awash' with water. It was decided by the Officials that the meeting would end………. a great pity, but safety is always paramount! So Gunn claimed maximum points from his heat results and left, although somewhat disappointed not to have raced, leading the Junior Rotax British Championship.

Gunn thanked Tooley Motorsport and his sponsors for 2012, MATT, Beechdean Dairy Ice Cream, Wholegrain Digital and Interplex Select Moulds {more details on Sponsors page}.