Phoenix FM-sponsored Essex karting Champion Lochlan Bearman was competing in Round 8 of the Hunts Kart Racing Championship at the Kimbolton track last weekend.
He went into the weekend leading the Championship. Lochlan has been getting good results including a win last month but has been struggling with performance issues relating to power and handling. For last weekend he was on a 2015 chassis, his current one being from last year.
During Saturday’s practise day he was dialling in the new chassis and getting the setup to his liking.
He was fastest in warm up on race day which was a good sign.
In Heat 1 he started on the last row of the grid but made an audacious move round the outside of the pack to emerge in an incredible 4th place as the field exited Willows corner and onto the back straight. Bearman was looking fast and racy and was up to 3rd as they completed lap 1. He was quickly onto the back of the second place kart and was in second by lap 2. It took him just 1 lap to get with the leader and he was passed them with a late braking move into the first corner. From here he drove away and won the race comfortably.
In Race 2 he started on pole and led from lights to flag in a controlled and measured race keeping at least a second gap over the second placed driver without ever having to push hard.
Just before Heat 3 the heavens opened and track was awash. This meant frantic changing to the set-up to change settings, tyres and gearing. Bearman was starting in 5th and was 4th at the first corner. He quickly dispatched the karts in front and led from lap 2 to another measured win which was never in doubt.
The three wins put him on pole for the final. Again making a clean start the 13 year old led the field away and was joined by his team mate who was about 1 second behind. Bearman looked in control again and when his team mate used the slipstream to pull up onto his Bearman he still looked to have it under control. As they started the penultimate lap he got a hit from behind under breaking for the first corner which was enough for the second placed man to slip through into the lead. Bearman did not have enough straight line speed to compete, and could not close the gap enough to be able to try a move anywhere and crossed the line in second, the two of them clear of the rest of the field.
“Overall I should be pleased but having won the 3 heats, but I was sure I would win the final and it’s just very disappointing not to have got a clean sweep of heats and the final, it’s a bit like a hatrick in football. We have still got a power problem but it’s not so bad now and the new chassis is better so we are moving in the right direction” stated the youngster.
Next up for Bearman is the final of the British Schools Karting Championship on the 18th of July where he will be representing Debden Park High School, and then it will be round 7 of the Whiltion Mill Championship at the end of the month.
This weekend also confirmed the decision that Bearman will move on next season and will either move up to the next category in karting where he will face drivers up to 17 years of age or into car racing on full circuits such as Silverstone and Brands Hatch.
It will be all about the budget and finding a sponsor explained Team manager Gary Cooper. If Lochlan moves into cars he will compete in the televised Ford Fiesta Junior Championship and will need about £10,000 to complete the season.
Anyone that would like to learn more or get involved can make contact via bearman.racing@gmail.com
