Robbie settles for second

Karting ace Robbie Gallier settles for second spot in the rain at Dorchester.

THE rain may have delayed the Canadian Grand Prix, even though it was every bit as bad in the UK at the Clay Pigeon race track near Dorchester in Dorset.

Eurocams backed Robbie Gallier, the 14-year-old Junior Rotax driver from Lympsham was driving his first-ever wet race in his Tony Kart EVVR.

To get to the final Robbie had to complete three heats each with just eight laps, the only concession to the weather. Starting sixth in the first heat and on the wrong side of the track, there was the predictable tangle at the start, pushing Robbie down to 14th.

He made great progress to get to fourth and then disaster struck when the chain came off and he recorded a non-finish. He needed to make the second heat count and he did this in style, winning by over six seconds.

Starting from eighth in the third heat, it was difficult due to the lack of visibility. After dropping down to 12th, Robbie managed to finish fourth and again taking the fastest lap.

This qualified Robbie in sixth place for the 13-lap final. The Kart Express team set the kart up beautifully all day and made some adjustments for the final.

Robbie took it easy at the start and dropped to eighth, recording the fastest lap he got up to fourth and then the real charge came when he overtook two in one move and then took another with just one lap to go.

Robbie reeled in the leader and briefly overtook Steven Handford, only for Handford to re-take Robbie. As Handford is not registered for the championship, Robbie settled for second place and the points.

Robbie said: “This was probably the most difficult races I have had and I really enjoyed it. Of course I wanted to win, but this really helps my championship. The team did a great job, my set up was perfect.”