Karting: Jersey triumphant as inter-insular returns

The first inter-island meeting since 1992 (the last was at the Jersey Kart and Motor Club’s former home at Belle Vue in St Brelade) was a success and it is likely to become an annual event again with each island hosting alternatively.

Jersey's Cadets celebrate with the inter-insular trophy

JK&MC press officer André Benest said: ‘It was a great day of racing and the Guernsey drivers were very happy because it coincided with the Motoring Festival over the weekend so they had more than one event to take part in.

‘Everyone had a brilliant time and discussions will take place in the near future about putting Channel Islands Championship races in place therefore giving the drivers more competition between the islands.’

With Guernsey not having as many entrants as Jersey, heats took place to decide Jersey leading drivers to take on their Guernsey counterparts.

Points scored in the finals, from an equal number of drivers from each island, went towards the overall points total.

Pre-race predictions were wins for Jersey in the cadet and junior classes. The senior class was difficult to predict, while the gearbox class was expected to go to Guernsey due to their talisman Matt Ford, who has raced against Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, returning specifically for the inter-insular after many years out of the sport.

Charlie Bonney (No 15) chases Layton Ruellan in the 'Bambino' class

Charlie Betts and Guernsey’s Caitlin Le Blancq were the only drivers with bibs on in the Cadet (IAME) class and racing against the cadet comer drivers in a combined class, Betts held off strong challenges from Jersey’s Josh Torpy and Luca Benest.

Benest overtook Betts up the inside going into a corner and Betts, with adrenaline pumping, did not give up the corner resulting in him hitting the barriers and ending his race.

Torpy passed Benest for the win with Le Blancq finishing third to take ten points for Guernsey.

Jersey’s James Rouault dominated the cadet comer race to take the maximum 15 points with Guernsey’s Lewis Wild second, leaving Guernsey 22-15 ahead after the cadets and junior races.

Jersey’s Max Jeanne took maximum points in the junior class, with Guernsey’s eight points gained by Jack Le Blancq who placed fifth to leave the scores tied at 30-all.

Tight bend action in the Senior Max race

Both islands had three counters in the 125 max class (seniors) and with positions changing constantly after some phenomenal driving, Jersey claimed a 36-21 section win to lead 66-51 overall. There were first, second and fourth place finishes from Jersey’s Greg Harris, Alex Troy and Richard Fauvel, respectively.

Matt Ford (Gsy), Michael Reddy, Connor Le Cras (Gsy) and James Reddy took starting positions one to four, respectively, in the gearbox class where the start was clean. James Reddy made his move from the back and, with Ford, was driving a great defensive game at the front.

Cadets Josh Torpy, Luca Benest and Charles Betts battle it out

On the pit straight Ford was uncharacteristically slow to close the door and James Reddy seized his chance but the karts came together and the pair were both overtaken. Reddy was unable to continue while Ford went on to place third.

Michael Reddy took the chequered flag and another 15 points for Jersey and despite Guernsey claiming 22 points, Jersey ran out victors overall – by just eight points.

Cadet (IAME): 1, Josh Torpy; 2, Luca Benest; 3, Caitlin Le Blancq (G).

Cadet comer: 1, James Rouault; 2, Lewis Wild (G).

Cadet Honda: 1, Kimberly Reddy, 2, Nicholas Reddy; 3, Matthew Barton.

Junior: 1, Max Jeanne; 2, Max Brochet; 3, Rhys Hughes; 4, Olivier Hair; 5, Jack Le Blancq (G); 6, James Labey.

125 Max: 1, Greg Harris; 2, Alex Troy; 3, Jack Le Tissier (G); 4, Richard Fauvel; 5, Sammy Kermin; 6, Amar Bahra (G).

125 Gearbox: 1, Michael Reddy; 2, Connor Le Cras (G); 3, Matt Ford (G).

Bambino: 1, Charlie Bonney; 2, Layton Ruellan.

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