World Championship

Grand Prix Midget 2007 World Championship, by Anne Sayell

Jason's World This year's Grand Prix Midget World Championship was a truly international event with both Dutch and German drivers joining the British contingent. 1996 winner Toni Scheepens from Holland was joined by 5 times World Champion Klaus Kilianski for the meeting, adding to the optimism for the revival of Grand Prix Midget racing in mainland Europe. Toni Scheepens has been responsible for instigating this starting with a meeting at Posterholt on 11/12th August which has been added to the Club's domestic championship.

The grid for the World event was determined by qualifying points from the season's non-trophy races. Jason Carnwell qualified quite emphatically in pole position whilst Jonathan Pooley qualified alongside Jason. Row Two consisted of Dave Smith and on his outside 4 times World Champion Harry Sayell. Gordon Pooley and British Champion Steve Young made up row 3; whilst Alan Buckland and Gary Granger made up row 4. Late entrants Toni Scheepens and Klaus Kilianski's grid positions were decided by them drawing for the 5 vacant qualifier places. Klaus drew 9th place with Toni in 15th, the non qualifiers starting in graded order at the back of the grid.

Just as for the European Championship, Jonathan Pooley got the drop on Jason Carnwell off the start and had even started to create a small gap after the first few laps with Smith, Sayell, Pooley and Buckland in close contention behind. Despite every effort from Jason it looked like Jonathan Pooley's Scorpion had got the better of the Cheetah and the result was not going to be quite the walk over expected.

The race further back down the grid was very close but also very even with only the continental drivers seemingly dropping places. Neil Clarke spun early in the race and collected Geoff Bunn who retired as a result but thankfully a stoppage did not prove necessary. Dave Smith and Harry Sayell fought over third place from the off with Smith just managing to stay ahead. Alan Buckland was one of the few to overtake in the early stages demoting Gordon Pooley for 5th on lap 7 of 30.

The first of what turned out to be two reprieves for Jason Carnwell came around one third distance when a puff of steam indicated that Jonathan Pooley's engine was beginning to overheat. A hugely disappointed Jonathan pulled off on lap 11 with the added problem of a broken throttle cable, giving Jason the lead. By almost two thirds distance Jason had not quite half a lap lead ahead of Dave Smith who was just ahead of Harry Sayell, who in turn was coming under pressure from Alan Buckland.

Alan was successful 6 laps later passing Sayell to move up to 3rd and within 2 more laps was trying to pass Dave Smith for second.

The second reprieve for Jason Carnwell came when oil which had dropped onto his exhaust ignited briefly, this was spotted by race control and a black flag was called for but the fire went out almost immediately and the flag was quickly withdrawn.

As the last third of the race ensued, Jason made his way through the back markers, eventually lapping everyone up to and including 5th placed Gordon Pooley. Over the same 10 laps Alan Buckland tried every way possible to pass Dave Smith. Jason Carnwell crossed the flag around a third of a lap clear with 5 back markers between him and the battle for second place. This was where the excitement was with Alan Buckland passing Dave Smith as they exited the final bend and just inches ahead over the line. Harry Sayell the only driver left on the same lap came through in his own spectacular style, having spun on the final bend he reversed over the line for fourth. Klaus Kilianski was the only continental driver to finish, crossing the line in 8th place behind Steve Young and Scott Roth who were 6th and 7th respectively.

Outgoing World Champion Rob Sayell presented the new perennial Cup which has taken on a new appearance this year. The names of all the former title holders have been engraved on the plinth going right back to the first winner Mick Bonner in 1977.

Jason Carnwell continued his domination of the formula with wins in both support heats but was given quite a run for his money by Alan Buckland in heat one and a fight to the last lap by Jonathan Pooley in heat 2, Jason diving between Jonathan and 2 back-markers to take the lead with just over half a lap to go.

World Championship
1 14 Jason Carnwell
2 19 Alan Buckland
3 18 David Smith
4 1 Harry Sayell
5 33 Gordon Pooley
6 59 Stephen Young
7 7 Scott Roth
8 93 Klaus Kilianski
9 63 Nigel Robinson
10 16 Andrew Bilby

Heat 1
1 14 Jason Carnwell
2 19 Alan Buckland
3 7 Scott Roth
4 28 Geoff Bunn
5 1 Harry Sayell
6 63 Nigel Robinson
7 18 David Smith
8 59 Stephen Young
9 16 Andrew Bilby
10 93 Klaus Kilianski

Heat 2
1 14 Jason Carnwell
2 31 Jonathon Pooley
3 19 Alan Buckland
4 28 Geoff Bunn
5 59 Stephen Young
6 1 Harry Sayell
7 18 David Smith
8 93 Klaus Kilianski
9 63 Nigel Robinson
10 16 Andrew Bilby

Previous Winners:
2007 - Jason Carnwell 2006 - Rob Sayell 2005 - Rob Sayell 2004 - Rob Sayell 2003 - Andy Collins 2002 - Rob Sayell 2001 - Rob Sayell 2000 - Rob Sayell 1999 - Stuart Haynes 1998 - Harry Sayell 1997 - Klaus Kilianski 1996 - Toni Scheepens 1995 - Klaus Kilianski 1994 - Harry Sayell 1993 - Klaus Kilianski 1992 - Harry Sayell	1991 - Klaus Kilianski 1990 - Harry Sayell 1989 - Basil Craske 1988 - Klaus Kilianski 1987 - Jan Schraets 1986 - Basil Craske 1985 - Henk Hanssen 1984 - Alf Boarer 1983 - Wilfred Hofer 1982 - Mick Bonner 1981 - Henk Hanssen 1980 - Basil Craske 1979 - Jan van Rengs 1978 - Henk Hanssen 1977 - Mick Bonner