Jamie Caroline and Daniel Ticktum are doing their utmost to make the battle for the HONDA CADET title hotter than the world’s fieriest curry (the Polash Meltdown). As they drove away from Ellough, Caroline had cut Ticktum’s lead to just a point and, on dropped scores, it is Caroline holding all the aces.
A brutalising display in the heats saw the chirpy Project One pilot score all four wins, with Ticktum joining him on the front row for the Final.
Any expectations of a Caroline whitewash were given a wobble when, four laps into the 18-lap Final, Luke Knott pinched the lead. Caroline had been leading but hadn’t been able to make the break he might reasonably have expected, due to his pursuers never giving less than ten-tenths.
Ticktum took the lead for just a few moments before Knott decided it was his turn. This was the first time that Caroline had been headed all day. He attacked and Ticktum dropped a place, with Knott following suit a lap later. Ellough’s pits hairpin provides a superb passing opportunity for drivers willing to risk jumping on the brakes at the last moment and Caroline’s bravery was duly rewarded with a sweet lunge.
Four laps later, Knott led the field across the start/finish line for the second time but again his supremacy would not last for long. A mistake allowed Caroline to have a run and by dint of him carrying far greater corner speed Caroline haplessly swiped Knott. It was untidy, but effective, and also seemed to knock the wind out of Knott’s sails. Caroline broke clear and a string of fast, consistent laps ensured that he put matters beyond doubt and made it four victories from five rounds. Ticktum edged the battle for 2nd with some stout defending from a resurgent Callum Ilott, who in turn bested Knott by the narrowest of margins after a superb dice.