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.
Classes The British Superkart Championship runs two packages for four classes. Division 1 Superkarts is the Premier Superkart Class in European competition, featuring twin cylinder 250cc engines Formula 250 National the MSA British Championship class for single cylinder 250cc engines Formula 450 the championship class for 4 stroke engines Formula 125 Open uses single cylinder 125cc engines; engine tuning is allowed in this class
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: Class 1st 2nd 3rd GP Winner UK Cup Winner Division 1 Dave Harvey Carl Hulme Paul Kennings Lee Harpham Trevor Roberts MSA 250 National Jason Dredge Don Kennedy James O'Reilly Jason Dredge Gavin Bennett 250 Clubman Sam Moss Kevin Waring Stuart Parker N/A N/A 125 Open Paul Platt James Irvine Dan Edwards Paul Platt James Irvine 125 ICC Danny Butler Michael Groves Bruce Crawley Lewis Williamson Danny Butler 2009: Class 1st 2nd 3rd GP Winner UK Cup Winner Division 1 Carl Hulme Trevor Roberts Dave Harvey Peter Elkmann (Deu) Carl Hulme MSA 250 National James O'Reilly James Tucker Jason Dredge James Tucker James O'Reilly 250 Clubman Paul Platt Toby Davis Martin Goodliffe N/A N/A 125 Open Dan Edwards Lee Morgan Louise Colin Dan Edwards Lee Morgan 125 ICC Lloyd Scrivens Adam Underhill Kevin Gray Jake Green Chris Needham 2010: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'Division 1Trevor RobertsGavin BennettTrevor RobertsMSA 250 NationalJason DredgeJason DredgeJason Dredge125 OpenDanny ButlerDanny EdwardsChris Needham 2011: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'Division 1Gavin BennettCarl HulmeGavin BennettMSA 250 NationalPaul PlattJason DredgeJason Dredge125 OpenBen WillshireDanny ButlerBen Willshire 2012: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'Division 1Charles CravenLee HarphamChris NeedhamMSA 250 NationalPaul PlattLuis WallPaul Platt125 OpenDanny EdwardsDanny EdwardsMatt Isherwood 2013: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'Division 1Gavin BennettGavin BennettGavin BennettMSA 250 NationalPaul PlattToby DavisPaul Platt125 OpenLee HarphamDanny EdwardsDanny Edwards 2014: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'Division 1Carl HulmeLiam MorleyLiam MorleyMSA 250 NationalPaul PlattPaul PlattGavin Bennett125 OpenChris NeedhamChris NeedhamChris Needham450Stephen Clark 2015: ClassChampionGP WinnerUK Cup '0'Division 1Liam MorleyLiam MorleyLiam MorleyMSA 250 NationalGavin BennettPaul PlattDan Clark125 OpenLee HarphamChris NeedhamKirk Cattermole450Stephen 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.
References
External links British SuperKart Association Website