Blustery conditions greeted drivers for Round 2 of the Boyndie Drome Open Challenge on Sunday 12th April, but thankfully the rain stayed away. A strong grid of over 70 drivers ensured a full day of competitive racing.
Adding to the occasion, popular YouTuber Brad Philpot made the trip from the Midlands to compete in his first-ever KZ race meeting. Filming throughout the weekend, his video is expected to be released in the coming weeks. Speaking at the prizegiving, Philpot praised the club for its warm hospitality and welcoming atmosphere. GKC thank Neil Anderson and Graeme Foubister for providing and running a kart, Garry Ingram for providing an engine, Finlay Brock of FJB Contracts and Owen Towler of OT Kart Spares for supplying tyres to facilitate Brad’s first KZ2 race.
The feature trophies on the day were the Cadet Cup and the Kildonan Shield, awarded to the highest-scoring senior driver.
Bambino (6-8 years) - Sponsored by FJB Contracts
Austin Noble made another lightning start to lead the field, but Walter Forrest wasted no time and took the lead on lap two. Noble stayed glued to his rear bumper, applying constant pressure and looking for a way through, but Forrest held firm to take victory by just three tenths of a second. Ronan Dyche secured third ahead of Fraser Brock, Monty Forbes and Rio Lawrence.
1st – Walter Forrest
2nd – Austin Noble
3rd – Ronan Dyche
Honda Cadets (8-12 years) - Sponsored by AB51 Carbon Clean
Jack Thomson broke clear early to secure a dominant six-second victory and retain the Cadet Cup. Archie Tosh ran a steady race to claim second.
Drama unfolded at the final corner, where a multi-kart incident shuffled the order. Oscar Forbes avoided the chaos with a smart outside line to take third. All drivers recovered, with Tommy Burgoyne, Aron Hawcutt, Arran Burns and Richard Henderson completing the order.
1st – Jack Thomson (Cadet Cup winner)
2nd – Archie Tosh
3rd – Oscar Forbes
Top Novice – Mack Macleod
Micro Max (8-12 years)
James Brock led for much of the race, but George Douglas made a decisive move three laps from the end to take the win.
1st – George Douglas
2nd – James Brock
Inter Max (10-13 years)
Lewis Kirkaldy and Hamish Gordon broke clear early, setting a relentless pace at the front. Gordon looked poised to challenge before a sudden mechanical issue on lap ten forced his retirement. This handed Aarryn Rigg second place, while a race-long scrap between Ruarie McKay and Louis Pyper went the way of McKay by just two tenths. Louis Macdonald, Jacob Pierrepont and Nathan Sadakowski followed.
1st – Lewis Kirkaldy
2nd – Aarryn Rigg
3rd – Ruarie McKay
Mini Max (10-13 years)
After competing alongside Junior Max in the heats, Mini Max drivers took to their own final. Jaxon Emslie initially led, but Archie Bruce took control at the end of Boyndie Straight. Harry Newlands moved into second on lap three, while Emslie’s hopes faded after a spin. Bruce took a composed victory ahead of Newlands, with Oliver Bird completing the podium.
1st – Archie Bruce
2nd – Harry Newlands
3rd – Oliver Bird
Top Novice – Harry Newlands
Junior Max (10-13 years)
William Alexander led from the start with David Hiorns in pursuit. A mechanical issue for Vinnie Lewis on lap seven ended his challenge, while Jack Cruickshanks and Sophie Ingram charged through the order.
Up front, Alexander held his nerve to take victory by just two tenths from Hiorns. Ingram made a decisive last-lap move on Cruickshanks to claim the final podium spot. Theo Ingram and Kayden Thomas rounded out the top six in a tightly contested midfield battle.
Senior Max 162 (16 years+) - Sponsored by Murray Motors Fraserburgh
Jonathan Edwards delivered another commanding performance with a lights-to-flag victory, securing the Kildonan Shield in the process. Behind him, a three-way fight for second unfolded between Jemma Hiorns, Mya Simpson and Rachel Turnbull. Hiorns moved into second on lap four and held position to the flag, with Simpson less than a second behind. Turnbull was fourth ahead of Kevin Kensett and Leon Calder.
1st – Jonathan Edwards (Kildonan Shield winner)
2nd – Jemma Hiorns
3rd – Mya Simpson
Top Novice – Martin Kelman
Senior Max 177 (16 years+)
KZ2 Gearbox (16 years+) - Sponsored by Bridgend Garage Banff
With Brad Philpot making his KZ debut, the start was briefly delayed due to a grid formation issue, requiring an additional rolling lap.
Once underway, pole-sitter Alexander Hawcutt was untouchable, pulling clear to take victory by seven seconds. Behind him, Ally Smith and Duncan Ingram were locked in a fierce battle, trading positions before Smith secured second by just a tenth. Jack Mackay finished close behind, with Ryan Simpson fifth.
Philpot ran strongly in a tightly packed midfield group, with the next five drivers covered by less than a second in a thrilling scrap.
1st – Alexander Hawcutt
2nd – Ally Smith
3rd – Duncan Ingram
Full race results can be found on Speedhive.
Trophies were presented by Erin McDonald on behalf of the club.
Next Meeting: Boyndie Drome Open Challenge Round 3 – 10 May.
Press release : Alan Wyness (GKC Press Officer)
Photography : Gilles Gardner – view gallery
