Phoenix FM-sponsored racer Lochlan Bearman competed in Round 11 of the Hunts Kart Racing Championship at the weekend.
Having got off to a bad start to the season, Lochlan had closed in on Championship Leader by Round 9 in September. However as a result of an exclusion from the meeting which Lochlan’s father John Bearman described as a complete farce and injustice, Lochlan had dropped to 6th in the rankings with little chance of getting into the top 5.
In the October meeting he had driven well to qualify 5th on the grid only to be taken out in someone else’s accident in the first corner and sustained too much damage to continue.
“It’s been a really tough couple of months”, explained John. “I’ve taken legal advice to see if I can get the exclusion overturned but it is in the hands of the MSA to see if they are prepared to allow an appeal. What happened to us was outrageous and completely fabricated. I’ve been amazed at Lochlan’s resilience, he knows he has done nothing wrong but has picked himself up and got on with his racing. He is now looking good for 5th which a chance for 4th – it won’t make him any happier but it is a result we’d have been pleased with before the season started.
“Following the incident in Round 10 Lochlan’s kart has got a new chassis and that has delivered results. It was the first time on it at Kimbolton and he was front running all weekend. It’s just easier to drive and goes exactly where I want it to go”.
Due to limited daylight at this time of year there were just 2 longer heats and a final instead of 3 heats. Lochlan started Heat 1 in 5th and hit the front by lap 2 and never looked under threat as he drove to victory.
In Heat 2 he started 14th in difficult greasy conditions. Making a good start he quickly climbed through the field to lead by the halfway mark and again never looked under threat as he took his second win of the day.
Starting the final in Pole he quickly established a healthy lead and looked set for a certain victory. By lap 10 however the 2nd and 3rd karts had made inroads into his lead and it was clear he did not have the pace they did. They caught him with 2 laps to go and he had to defend. Going into the ‘Bus Stop’ on the last lap the 2nd place man made a move and the two karts made contact, this slowed them both enough to allow the 74 machine of Thomas Byrne through. They all crossed the line within a second of each other but it was Byrne’s win with Lochlan second.
“The CooperMotorsport team had got the set-up right all weekend”, said Lochlan, “but we went too conservative in the final and I had too much grip which compromised my exit speed from the tight corners. It’s been a great weekend and we’ve learnt a lot about the new chassis.
“He’s driven brilliantly all weekend”, added John. “It’s such a shame about the September events as with those points he’d be leading the Championship by a healthy margin now and would pretty much be certain to win.”
Lochlan’s next race is the Championship decider for the ‘Stars at the Whilton Mill’ championship on November 23rd. He needs to beat his closest rival by four points to be crowned Champion. “I will be giving it everything I’ve got”, the 12 year old said.
