The embattled season finale had only officially received the green light weeks in advance, once the Guernsey Kart and Motor Club organisers had secured enough entries, following its initial shelving due to ongoing financial concerns.
And its return had been greeted by uncharacteristically dry conditions – which proved conducive to record-setting.
Torode set the fastest time of the day with 26.29sec. but had lagged regular rival Scott Rayson for much of the day, only forging ahead on the fourth of eight total runs.
It ultimately proved a bittersweet day for the Mallock driver, as a mistake with gear shifting on the next run led to him damaging the car and being unable to return it to a state in which he could post competitive times.
‘The day was looking really good – it’s the driest it’s been on the hill for about 11 years, since the all-time record,’ he said.
‘I wish I could have stuck the day out and gone a bit quicker.’
Non-transaxle driver Rayson had led with 26.87 before Torode hit a mark that was good enough on the day, but a way yet from his outright best of 25.43.
Karter Chris Law managed to drop a late 26.84, therefore edging by 0.01sec. the improved time Rayson recorded on his sixth run.
Brother Adam Law also ducked under 27sec. – just – with a 26.99 finale. That topped off a massive overhaul of a Senior Gearbox KZ mark that had started the day at 29.52.
Putting aside any disappointment on not getting nearer his record, Torode was pleased to see the event back on the calendar following doubts that it would go ahead.
‘It’s a very special event for me,’ he added. ‘Unfortunately the racing cars aren’t allowed to do it, but it puts someone else at the top for a change. It would be nice if they could do it.’
Subaru Impreza driver Callum Queripel enjoyed a delightful debut where he went fifth-fastest overall in 28.05, the best time ever in a ‘tin top’. He slashed 0.86sec. from John Dunne’s Modified Limited Production Cars 2,001cc and over record set in that special 2015 event.
Dunne was no slouch on the day, either, posting 28.56 in the Road Going Series equivalent for his own class record.
Mark Scott lowered the record in the Modified Specialist Production Cars 1,401 to 1,800 to 29.08, denying previous holder Dave Bichard, whose 29.17 was under the own mark he had set three years prior.
Kieran Power continued his record-breaking ways with a 29.44 in the Sports Libra Saloons 1,401 to 2,000s, taking a whole 1.49sec. off Harry Teal’s time from 15 years ago.
Of the relative few taking the two-wheeled route, Andy Mechem got the edge with 29.24 on his Husqvarna FS, 0.19sec. clear of KTM SX 300 rider Luke Saunders.
Saunders could take consolation in the fact he had brought the Motor Cycles 251 to 350 record under 30sec. for the first time.
Fellow youngster Harry Mann’s 30.42 was good enough to lower his own mark in the Motor Cycles up to 125 category.
