We have now completed 4 Rounds of the 2022 RapiKart Racing League. 3 titles are up for grabs, the Lightweights, Heavyweights and the Rookie Cup. All 3 are starting to take shape and all 3 have some very interesting dynamics that are still unfolding.
Lightweights (LW)
The LW championship is closer than ever before. 2 time champion, Sam Parrant heads the championship but only just! Morgan Durrant is snapping at his heels just 6 points behind. Both drivers have taken a win a piece, Sam at Llandow and Morgan at South Coast. Sam has has the incredible record of having lead the LW championship since RapiKart began in 2019. Morgan could well spoil his party next time out in Thruxton. However, this is not just a two horse race. Just another 8 points behind is Sebastian Miller, then Gabriel Quinta, Chris Ball and even Joe Dawe staying within touching distance. The top six have been ultra consistent and stretched a healthy lead ahead of the rest. Euan Clements heads the next group, just ahead of Jason Boldero and the ever improving Morgan Driscoll. With 4 races still to go, it's still all to play for. Expect more fireworks!
Heavyweights (HW)
The HW championship is being dominated by 2021 champion Neil Durrant. Neil has driven superbly and is the only HW this season to be mixing it with the top LW drivers. This has allowed Neil to hold a commanding 48 point lead. Adrian Cerezo has just moved into 2nd thanks to his HW victory on the South Coast last time out. 3rd place is Jennifer Tomkins, nudging out Graeme Thomas who missed R4 due to covid. Jen became the first female to stand on a RapiKart podium at R4. Thomas will be looking to fight back after running 2nd before R4. Gareth Thomas is a little further back in 5th, in a tight battle with Rookie Jordan Maule, Jon Sparks and Jamie Higgins. Both Jon and Jamie haven't had the best of luck so far in 2022 and are both due a few good results. Although Neil Durrant has shown to be the class of the field, the battle for the podium spots will be hard fought for the rest of the season. Expect more changes!
Rookie of the Year
The Rookie cup has been sprinkled with some incredible performances. Both Tom Northcott and Luke Evans took overall wins on their debuts. However, both have only done one race. This has left a battle at the top between Morgan Driscoll and Jordan Maule. Morgan has quietly chipped away at Jordan's lead before overtaking him for the lead of the Rookies last time out on the South Coast. Closing in on both of them is late starter Joe Peters. Two strong performances has brought Joe into play. One more strong result could see him reach the top. The next best group is headed by Tom Seabrook, just ahead of Stuart Middleton, Rob Johnson and Chris Salisbury. Only 10 points separate them all. As with the LW and HW, all is still to play for. Watch out for Joe Peters as his form will bring him into play. Morgan and Jordan have both shown to be consistent and improving racers and will be hard to beat.
Summary
All three championships have been entertaining to watch unfold. We've seen some amazing, side by side racing, incredible driving standards and some text book overtakes. We are guaranteed to see some more shock results, changes and even new challengers emerge from the metaphoric shadows. We may be half way in, but that still means half still to come.
