The annual Hardware Trades Karting Challenge came into its 19th year on 2 June, when 11 teams competed for the Hardware Trades Charity Trophy to raise funds for the Rainy Day Trust.
The event, organised by Stax Trade Centres’ joint managing director David Hibbert, was held at the Speedkarting arena in Warrington, which has the longest indoor track in the UK. Competitors’ skills were strenuously tested by the Monaco-style tunnel and slingshot hairpin bends of the 3-tier circuit.
In a monumental year, the Individual event was won for the first time ever by a female driver. Trisha Seenan, who was representing Akzo Nobel’s Aces on the day, was closely followed by David Bate of the Leyland Darts and Bobby Mills from CIC.
The fastest lap was awarded to Bate, who missed out on the circuit record by just under 3 seconds, and the fastest female driver was Tasha Redman, driving for DLF Trifolium’s The Grass Karters.
PPG’s team, the Leyland Darts, came to the event with their own helmets, gloves and boots, and topped the team leader board.
The AKW Speedos crossed the line in second place, narrowly beating the Workhouse Marketing team by seconds, who finished the day in third place.
Along with the competition trophies, the Bent Axle Award was presented to Colin Burgess of the Leyland Darts for being given the only black flag of the race meeting.
Mr Hibbert said: “With a few less teams than the previous year you might be forgiven for thinking the race would be less competitive, but it was quite the opposite. An event first with Trisha Seenan winning the individual event – being the first woman ever to do so – and some incredibly fierce karting battles resulted in a fantastic day for a fantastic cause close to all our hearts in this industry. Thanks to everyone who took part and a special thanks to all our suppliers who have supported the event.”
The Rainy Day Trust helps all those who have worked in the UK’s home improvement and enhancement industry to provide support through unexpected and unpredictable events, such as ill health and financial uncertainty.
If anyone is interested in taking part in next year’s event, please contact David Hibbert on 0161 728 8000.
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