After a miserable start to the year, the sun finally appeared for the first race meeting of the season at the Boyndie Drome Circuit near Banff.
A strong grid of over 60 drivers attended Round 1 of the five-round Boyndie Drome Open Challenge (BDOC).
The feature trophy of the day was the Dickie Bent Cup, awarded by the track marshals to the driver who impressed them most.
Bambino (6-8 years) - Sponsored by FJB Contracts
The youngest racers, lined up for their standing start. When the lights went out, Walter Forrest led away from pole. A spin at the end of Boyndie Straight briefly handed Austin Noble a sizeable lead, but Forrest quickly recovered and began reeling him in. By lap eight Forrest had caught Noble and went on to take the chequered flag, finishing one second ahead. Fraser Brock completed the podium ahead of Monty Forbes.
🥇 Walter Forrest
🥈 Austin Noble
🥉 Fraser Brock
Honda Cadets (8-12 years) - Sponsored by AB51 Carbon Clean
Pole-sitter Luca Bicocchi dominated the final, taking victory by an impressive ten seconds. Tommy Burgoyne secured second with a clear margin. Richard Henderson Jnr produced a strong drive from seventh on the grid to claim the final podium spot. Bruno Simonelli recovered from an early off to finish fourth ahead of Archie Tosh, Alfie Lamb, Aron Hawcutt and Arran Stephen.
🥇 Luca Bicocchi
🥈 Tommy Burgoyne
🥉 Richard Henderson Jnr
Top Novice : Mark Macleod
Micro Max (8-12 years)
George Douglas took the class win ahead of James Brock and James Strath.
🥇 George Douglas
🥈 James Brock
🥉 James Strath
Inter Max (10-13 years)
Lewis Kirkaldy delivered a dominant lights-to-flag performance, taking victory by 5.5 seconds. Behind him, Louis Pyper and Jacob Pierrepont enjoyed a race-long duel for second. The pair swapped places on lap nine, with Pierrepont securing the position and crossing the line just 0.3 seconds ahead. Pyper completed the podium ahead of Jack Elder, Ruarie McKay and Louis Macdonald.
Lewis Kirkcaldy
Jacob Pierrepont
Louis Pyper
Mini Max (10-13 years)
After running alongside the Junior Max karts in the heats, the Mini Max drivers were given their own final. Oliver Bird initially took the lead but slid into the tyres at Kevin’s Corner on the opening lap. This left Douglas Ethan Craighead in front with Harry Newlands close behind. The pair circulated nose-to-tail for the remainder of the race, with Craighead taking the win by just half a second.
Douglas Ethan Craighead Harry Newlands Oliver Bird
Junior Max (10-13 years)
Cruz Strachan made the best start, leading Vinnie Lewis, William Alexander, Wojciech Lipinski, Kayden Thomas and David Hiorns. Lewis made his move for the lead at the end of Boyndie Straight on lap two and quickly broke clear, taking victory by six seconds.
Behind him, a tightly packed group of seven karts battled throughout. After several bumps and position changes, Strachan eventually retired after stopping on circuit. Kayden Thomas emerged from the chaos to claim second, holding off David Hiorns and the recovering Alexander at the line. Lipinski finished fifth ahead of Sophie Ingram and top novice Jack Cruickshanks.
Vinnie Lewis Kayden Thomas David Hiorns
Top Novice: Jack Cruickshanks
Senior Max 162 (16 years+) - Sponsored by Murray Motors Fraserburgh
A thrilling battle developed between Leo Massie and Jonathan Edwards. Massie, making his first senior appearance at Boyndie, led the early stages. Edwards stayed glued to his bumper before making a decisive move at Gate Corner on lap six. Massie attempted to fight back at the end of Boyndie Straight into MTM but ultimately had to settle for second. Edwards crossed the line just 0.2 seconds ahead, with Jemma Hiorns securing third. Kevin Kensett was fourth followed by top novice Ryan Emslie, Leon Calder and Martin Kelman.
Jonathan Edwards Leo Massie Jemma Hiorns
Senior Max 177 (16 years+)
Cameron Hobson took a comfortable class victory in the 177kg category. Behind him, Martin Stephen and Ashton Lee Foubister fought closely throughout. Foubister moved into second with two laps remaining and held the spot by half a second.
Cameron Hobson Ashton Lee Foubister Martin Stephen
Historic Gearbox (16 years+)
Scott Benton Trevor Steadman
KZ2 Gearbox (16 years+) - Sponsored by Bridgend Garage Banff
Alexander Hawcutt Liam McGill Duncan Ingram
Full race results can be found on Speedhive.
Trophies were presented in the clubhouse after the meeting by Martin Towler.
Next Meeting: Boyndie Drome Open Challenge Round 2 – 12 April.
Press release : Alan Wyness (GKC Press Officer)
Photography : Gilles Gardner – view gallery
