Barely a month away from arguably the most important date on his karting calendar – as he prepares to defend the prestigious Kartmasters ‘GP’ plate he clinched in 2009 – Ash Hand has elected to switch chassis from tried and tested Kosmic to CRG which is less predominant in UK karting circles.

Ash’s record in the Lewis Hamilton and Bernie Ecclestone-backed Formula Kart Stars (FKS) Championship this year speaks for itself, as he remains undefeated in the opening four rounds and looks to be on-course to follow in the wheeltracks of the youngest-ever F1 World Champion by lifting the coveted laurels come season’s end.

In fellow national series Super 1, the highly-rated young Nuneaton star has suffered a touch of misfortune, but his raw pace and talent have been every bit as much in evidence. Having achieved all that he has in the comparatively short period in which he has been racing on either a Kosmic or Alonso TonyKart derivative, when the opportunity arose to try out a CRG mount at PF International, it palpably whet his curiosity.

With so many UK drivers on the Kosmic and Alonso chassis it is difficult to gain any advantage in that area. Ash and his team believe the new CRG chassis will give him that edge. During a test session at PF International Ash was already setting the benchmark and leaving his arch-rival and the reigning FKS Junior Max Champion fairly trailing.

Main Image :Chris Walker

Ash once more demonstrated his skill and consistency in Rounds 3 and 4 of the Formula Kart Stars which took place at Whilton Mill over the weekend by taking the outright wins in timed qualifying, the heats and the finals on both days.

It was pretty much a repeat of the outstanding performance given at Rowrah during rounds 1 and 2. Maximum points in the champoinship table will consolidate Ash's campaign to win the series come the end of the season.

 Image :Chris Walker

The competiton was left reeling in his wake to fight it out for the remaining podium positions. Ash joked " I think I'm going to need a bigger shelf to put my trophies on. I'm absolultely delighted to have taken the wins. I'd like to thank my family and the team for all the support they have given me, after all the trophies are as much theirs as they are mine.

Brendan, Ash's dad said " I can't quite believe Ash has had a clean sweep of the first four rounds it hasn't quite sunk in yet. The team did a great job the kart performed faultlessly. I don't think a lot of people realise how hard it is to be race leader for such a long time. It's a lot of concentration to maintain your pace and to hit the right line and apex's lap after lap. It just shows how Ash has matured as a driver his racecraft is second to none. I can't tell you how proud we all are and I just know he has a big future ahead of him." 

 Image :Chris Walker

Ash in Sunday's final with a comfortable lead		Ash gives second place man Jack Barlow a dousing on the podium

The provisional championship table shows Ash leading on 750. 74 points ahead of Jack Barlow in second place, and Josh Parker in third 2 points behind Barlow

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The next round of Formula Kart Stars takes place at Glan y Gors, North Wales  on 3 - 4 th July, can he make it 6 from 6, well we will just have to wait and see.