2013-12-09 09:17:19.2
Eddie scored his second podium finish in less than a week with another superb second place at the New Year Cup at Bayford Meadows.
Eddie was having his final outing with IMSD Racing with Stephen Deuchar before he joins 3Cubed. The pair brought the curtain down on IMSD Racing’s successful career with their best result in over two years.
There were a number of familiar faces from Club100, most noticeably former Lightweight sprint champion Lee Pilcher, and RBB front man Pete O’Connor racing with his KOKS Racing empire.
Eddie set the qualifying time and lined up second on the grid. Stephen opted to start the race but got bogged down badly at the start and dropped to fifth. It didn’t take him long to claw his way back up to third and he managed to maintain this position with an awesome display of defensive driving from the charging pack. He was given some welcome breathing space when the fourth place team pitted for their first driver change.
Stephen only completed 30 minutes of his stint before handing over to Eddie to complete the remaining 70 minutes of the 100 minute race. Second place man, Ross Pilcher, responded by handing over to his brother, Lee, a couple of laps later.
Eddie quickly reeled the ex Club100 champion in and made short work of passing him for second – a position he pretty much held until the chequered flag, only dropping to third during the mandatory pit stops.
Eddie declared himself happy with a job well done after the race.
“Obviously it’s great to get another second place finish. I could get used to this! It’s always nice coming to a race you’ve never done before and getting in karts you’ve never driven before and sticking it to some of the regulars.
“Steve did a good job in the early laps to recover from a poor start and did a fantastic job of holding off the people behind, which gave me some clear air when I went out. A good job all round and it’s great for IMSD Racing to go out on such a high note.”
Eddie was also quick to praise the other drivers in what he described as one of the cleanest races he has driven in.
“I thought the driving standards were fantastic today. There were a few novices competing and you always expect to have a bit of trouble but I didn’t have any. There was one slightly scary moment when someone spun in front of me at the last turn and nearly punted me into the tyres but overall people gave me room when I came up to pass them and there was virtually no bumping which was good.
“I think I made the right call strategically too. I had to make two drive-thru pit stops to make up the mandatory three pit stops and there were a couple of occasions when I came up to a bunch of drivers who were looking a bit wild so I managed to save a lot of time there. Both occasions I also emerged from the pits on a clear track, which helped.”
Eddie will be in action next on 13th February at Rye House for his first test with his new team, 3Cubed.