Private Team Impresses at European Championships
press release
Ashley Todd’s AMT Racing Team - with its two drivers, Tom Joyner and Matthew Graham - delivered a remarkable performance against the might of the works teams at the recent (8/11 July) European KF and KF3 Championships at Genk.
The small, close-knit outfit had Tom Joyner as their sole representative in the KF2 category, and despite competing in only his third race of the season, he was in superb form.
Above: Tom Joyner
pic - Chris Walker/Kartpix
“Prior to Genk, Tom had only raced in two events – an ABKC Winter Series round and the European Championship Qualifier at PFi,” explained Ashley.
“In Belgium he was 11th-fastest in timed qualifying; was 3rd twice, took a 5th and 22nd in the heats to put himself 12th overall in the intermediate rankings. In the pre-final he dropped to 15th on the opening lap, but drove a great race to finish 5th.”
A difficult start in the main final saw Tom shuffled down to the 11th in the first corner, but he quickly began to make up ground and eventually guided the new Gillard 010b v2s chassis up to an excellent 4th place.
In the junior category, Matthew Graham was making his international debut and acquitted himself superbly. Taking on 81 fellow drivers, Matthew came through the preliminaries to confidently make the cut for the two finals.
Above: Matthew Graham
pic - Chris Walker/Kartpix
Starting from 21st on the grid, he carved his way his up the order to take the chequered flag in 8th place. Unfortunately, an opening lap crash left him at the tail of the field. Undeterred, the 2009 British WTP Cadet Champion powered his way from 32nd to a creditable 16th at the finish - and in so doing, qualified for the World Cup to be held at Braga in Portugal in September (9-12).
“Matthew showed an incredible level of maturity and heart. After being pushed to last place, some drivers would give up, but it inspired the opposite reaction in Matt. It is frustrating to think what might have been had he not been embroiled in that first corner accident, but if you’d told me beforehand that he’d finish inside the top twenty first time out in Europe and at this level, I’m not sure I’d have believed you. He was brilliant,” said a delighted Todd.
The team is now preparing for Kart Masters (29 July/31 August) and the British Super 1 championship’s visit to Glan Y Gors in North Wales on 7/8 August, where Matthew will be joined by Super KF star, Jonathan Walker.