Johnny Herbert Karting Challenge
26th November 2006

Roy Craig's report on the event

For me the run up to the 12th year of The Johnny Herbert Karting Challenge had a different feel to it than that of previous years… yes, all proceeds this year were going to The Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance …yes, we were going to a different venue than the one we are so familiar with, that annual pilgrimage to King's Cross was not to be this year.

It had become almost automatic that the last week in November saw flocks of folk descending in this area of north London with the basic aim of getting close to one of Britain's most popular sportsmen - Johnny Herbert - not only standing close but fighting close, in a wheel to wheel battle, on the track, in karts!!

On arrival at The Raceway Docklands, one could only be impressed by the tardis type feeling as you walked in to the reception area, the F1 Ferrari mounted on the wall behind the desk and the displays of F1 drivers helmets (past & present) impressed even more. The whole place is a marvel of achievement and Michael Segal and his staff should be truly proud of what now exists.

But it wasn't the change of venue alone that was giving me these vibrations of anticipation, one reason was the many applications I had received to enter teams, requests came from far and wide to participate in this oh so popular event. You would maybe think that on the eve of a 12th year running that some of the enthusiasm may have worn a bit thin - not at all! In fact, so many people want to enter teams and all want to win it!! The requests for this year's entries started the day after last year's event and exactly the same thing has happened this year, I could in fact consider us full for 2007!

My feelings continued to grow that this year's event seemed to be taking a different turn - this was confirmed when the entry forms began arriving back. So many of the drivers' names had a certain ring to them, names such as Oliver Oakes, Andrea Bertolini, Bruno Senna!! Yes, you read it right, the nephew of one of the greatest, if not THE greatest Grand Prix drivers of all time.

It didn't stop there either, David Hunt brother of World Champion James, Freddie Hunt, son of James, even Nelson Piquet Jnr was scheduled to drive but succumbed to a bug on the day and was unable to make it.

Another famous name - and how great to see him there - was Ricardo Patrese accompanied by his son Simone. Other ex F1 stars included Emmanuele Pirro and Ralph Firman. Just about every category of motor racing was covered from karting champions such as Ollie Millroy and Mackenzie Taylor through Formula Ford and Formula Renault, FIA GT and the ALMS, our faithful long time supporter Johnny Mowlem being a driver in this American series.

Another long time supporter is Louise Goodman who raced again with our Ladies Team (Femme Fatale) alongside Fiona Leggate from the BTCC, Linda Playfair from F-Ford and Kartists Helen Gardiner and Julie Izzard all captained by DTM driver Susie Stoddart. Jamie Davies and Fabrizio De Simone joined Andrea Bertolini in the Maserati GB team. Fresh from his Porsche Cup victory in Macau last weekend was super star Danny Watts.

So long is the list of celebrity drivers that I'm sure my finger tips will be worn out before I reach the end, I beg forgiveness for not mentioning everyone.

Knowing if all 150 drivers expected are present is always a tough job but as in previous years it was taken care of for me by Heidi Alland and Sue Penfold. Thank you ladies, not forgetting the help given to them by their husbands Terry and Andy too.Kaye Wilson once again used her organisational skills in the VIP area and Louisa and Rooney Massara dealt brilliantly with locating them all.

All teams had the chance to have a photo taken for their reminders of the day, expertly done by Dan Overton of www.ddslr.com.

Practice and qualifying got underway and when all participants had tried the circuit - new to them all, of course. Each team had to nominate a driver that would set a time to dictate their grid position, The first five positions were as follows:
Pole: Arbuthnot Latham Private Bank - 0:41.62
2nd: 100cc PR - 0:41.69
3rd: Pacha London - 0:41.82
4th: Fiamma - 0:41.83
5th: Femme Fatal….0:41.86

Now that was close stuff!

Last year saw a new feature to the day, aptly named the celebrity shoot out. Four chosen drivers - who this year were Johnny Herbert (of course), Ollie Millroy, Joseph Riley and Danny Watts - would all use the same kart for three laps each, 1 out lap, 1 flying lap and 1 in lap. Spectators were no doubt forming their own opinions of who would be fastest! Would experience triumph over light weight??

It was an exciting few laps that saw Danny Watts show us all why he coaches race drivers like Bruno Senna in their art. He topped the times with a 0.41.74 lap, Jo Riley was 2nd with 0.41.96. Less than 0.5s away was Johnny on 0.42.41 and Ollie on 0.42.45.

With the preliminaries over everyone wanted the race to begin and the drivers who had been elected by the team to do the first stint were preparing for battle! It was to be a hectic 3 hours of close racing. With 25 karts circulating this vast indoor arena it was always going to be a busy affair and the marshals were going to have their work cut out in keeping them all in check.

A man it did keep busy was our commentator extraordinaire, Peter Rankin who somehow managed to keep pace with it all. Although the lead changed many times a pattern was certainly developing as the front runners tried to carve their way through the back markers while not letting the pace drop off. As with any endurance race some teams suffered mechanical as well as driver problems but we all know the saying re Motor Racing!!

After 3 hours of intense racing it was Team Permagard that took the chequered flag less than 6 seconds ahead of Arbuthnot Latham Private Bank and 34 seconds ahead of CJ Motorsport. A list of drivers from these podium placings is after this report.

Before the trophy presentation the raffle winners were announced thus not giving Peter Rankin any let up in his duties. He then conducted the usual trackside auction that added more to the charity's funds. Johnny Herbert presented the trophies to the delighted top three teams amid the cheering and camera flashes.

All in all I think it was a day enjoyed by everyone, winners and losers. The biggest winners will be those who are helped by The Staff of The Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance aided by some well deserved extra funds.

My thanks to everyone who has helped with the organisation and to those who have given their time so freely.

Roy Craig

1st - Team Permagard
Team Manager - Mike Perry
Michael Vergers
Dani Clos
Guy Smith
Danny Watts
Chris Goodwin
Jordan Oakes

2nd - Arbuthnot Latham Private Bank
Team Manager - Robert Crofton
Richard Westbrook
Tom Ferrier
Phil Quaife
Robert Crofton
Oliver Oakes
Paul Denman

3rd - CJ Motorsport
Team Manager - James Olivier
Bruce Jouanny
Sam Bird
Borja Garcia
Bruno Besson