Marshland St James youngster contests opening round of racing at Warden Law Kart Circuit, near Sunderland

Race ace Jenson Sayell made the long journey to Warden Law Kart Circuit, near Sunderland, at the weekend, for the opening round of the InterMAX Championship with the Champions Kart Club.

It was always going to be tough, having only raced there once before and in a very strong grid, including British Championship drivers using the meeting for practice before their own round there.

The track was wet for Saturday practice after overnight rain.

Not having run the new kart in the wet eighth fastest was satisfactory but with drying conditions, 12th from 23 in qualifying was a bit disappointing.

All karts went out on slick (dry) tyres for heat one, but it was raining by the time the race got underway.

The Marshland St James driver had a frustrating race, making up places only to drop back again, finishing eighth.

After some set up changes and on a dry track Sayell started Heat Two in 12th.

An improvement in handling and pace was obvious from the off.

Sayell was up to eighth mid-distance and sixth on lap eight of 10.

He took the fastest lap of the race (55.79) on the penultimate lap and an overtake on the final lap saw him finish fifth.

The heat results saw Sayell start Sunday’s first Super Heat in fourth. The track was wet after overnight rain.

Twice taking the fastest lap Sayell was up to second place on the last lap but slipped fractionally wide as he tried to overtake the leader on the final bend and dropped back to third place just 0.04 seconds behind at the flag.

Again starting fourth for Super Heat Two, Sayell was pushed off track on the first lap and was hit again after rejoining dropping to twelfth.

He managed to get back up to tenth but lacked pace and could not improve.

Sayell qualified fifth for the final. Having changed the engine, the team were hopeful of a good result.

But it was soon apparent that the pace was still compromised, and the youngster dropped steadily down the field to finish a very frustrating 11th.

“This weekend we had some highs and lows, we didn’t find the sweet spot for the kart in the Final," said dad Rob Sayell.

“We are still learning about the kart but it shows potential going forward.”

Sayell thanks TWRacing and engine builder Force Motorsport for their support, along with sponsors JLK Vehicle Solutions, Ark East Anglia Ltd, Sun Lounge Tanning Studio, Chris Phillips - Superstox 99, Hall Clean, Prestige Designs and Custom Racewear.

Sayell’s next outing is for Rounds One and Two of the Super One Championship at Rowrah in Cumbria.

He will be running the prestigious number 1 on his kart as the reigning Super One InterMAX Champion.