Former Champion Sean Brierley clinches 2024 title from Schledz & Slater
Sean Brierley snatched his second BRKC title this weekend denying Sam Slater his chance at victory by a mere second. The pair battled multiple times throughout the weekend and entered the grand final tied on points with 2023 reigning champion Vica Schledz.
The grand final began with 6-time BRKC champion and 2-time World Champion Ruben Boutens taking pole position. Boutens had only 9th choice of kart and had his work cut out for him to try remain out front. Brierley qualified behind him in 2nd with Slater further back in 5th and a shock qualifying from Schledz in 8th.
As the race began, all eyes were on Schledz and Slater to see if they could catch or jump Brierley and Boutens out front. Slater makes an immediate move into the hairpin on lap 1 to take 4th position from BSR teammate Sebastian Miller. Exactly one corner later Schledz dives into pit lane on the opening lap resulting in an invalid stop, taking himself out of the running!
Brierley finds a way through into the lead on the next lap as Boutens struggles to hold on against the charging field behind with earlier kart picks. Manley opts to save time and pit after being unable to find a way through Boutens for a lap freeing up Slater into 3rd place. With Boutens now in 2nd Slater closes the gap and immediately finds a way through with a robust and on the limit pass into the inner snail section. Slater was now free to charge down Brierley who had built up 2 second lead.
With no trouble ahead, Brierley was able to extend his lead to 4 seconds before taking his two pit stops safely, relinquishing the lead to Slater who had the title in his sights and was starting to set the fastest laps. Slater was able to reduce the net-gap to 1.2 seconds but after running down the clock he was out of time and needed to pit, coming out behind Brierley.
With all drivers completing their pit stops it was evident Brierley had kept Slater out of attack distance and brought home his second British title, leaving Slater to earn his first ever BRKC podium and become Vice Champion, denying him of his first ever title. In 3rd place Schledz had not completed two valid stops and was unfortunately disqualified later finishing 10th.
Eliano De Vos was in prime position to take advantage of Schledz’ mistake and showed incredible pace throughout the final. De Vos, who lost time early in the race, found himself in a unique position to even unlap himself on race leader Brierley something we have never seen in a grand final before!
The other grand finalists Mason Brown, Kuba Piechulski and Bradley Sheppard were all in the mix with Miller, Manley and Boutens in a very even midfield fight with almost half the grid receiving the ‘bad pass’ penalty when attempting to move up the field. The final came to an end with the rest of the grid settling in respective order of Manley, Miller, Piechulski, Brown, Sheppard, Boutens and Schledz who was 3rd before his pit penalty.
Once again Brierley took the £1000 cash prize along with a free entry into the 2024 Kart World Championship, Sam Slater and Eliano De Vos have also earned themselves free entry alongside Sean and we wish them all the best of luck!
BRKC will return in January 2025.
