XKART Start Strong at Warden Law: Race Report – Round 1 of The Kart Championship
The 2025 season of The Kart Championship roared into life at Warden Law, where high winds, mixed conditions, and grid-packed finals delivered a true test of driver and machine. Known for its technical layout and elevation changes, the circuit demands precision, bravery, and perfect setup.
From seasoned race winners to developing juniors, the XKART team delivered across the board.
Bishop Breaks Away
Riley Bishop was in a class of his own. Quick from the very first session on Friday, Riley remained composed through the heats, turned it up for the Superheat, and absolutely delivered when it mattered most. He didn’t just win the final, he controlled it, purple-lapping both the second superheat and the final to seal a dominant P1 finish. It was an effortless blend of control and aggression and the first big result of the year for XKART.
Cooper Climbs to the Podium
In Junior Primo, Cooper Campbell-Lees overcame physical issues on Friday to bounce back in serious style. With raw pace, commitment in the braking zones, and consistency lap after lap, Cooper delivered fast heat drives and backed it up with a mature performance in the final. His P2 was hard-earned and fully deserved, underlining his rise as one to watch in 2025.
Hazelwood’s Heroics
One of the most talked-about moments at Warden Law came courtesy of Elijah Hazelwood. After showing top-tier pace in Friday testing, his Superheat was turned upside down by a dramatic incident that saw him launched out of his kart, over other drivers, and onto the banking.
Remarkably, Elijah got back up, dusted himself off, and returned for the final. From deep on the grid, he fought through with grit and determination, overtaking with confidence and delivering a standout P11. It was a display of bravery, resilience, and raw pace; one that earned him huge respect across the paddock.
Further Strong Performances Across the Grid
Kell’s final didn’t go his way, but James Kell reminded everyone exactly what he’s capable of. In Heat 1, he charged from P11 to P1, building a jaw-dropping 18-second lead in tricky, greasy conditions, setting the purple lap in the process. He then went purple again in Heat 2, showing immense control on a rapidly changing circuit where grip was elusive. It was some of the best driving we’ve seen from James: relentless pace, calm under pressure, and bags of race intelligence and sportsmanship. The DNF in the final doesn’t reflect the calibre of his weekend.
Zak Jennings fought through to a strong P10 in Junior Primo, only hampered slightly by a post-race penalty. Isaac Jameson, showing sharp awareness and clean overtakes, crossed the line in P12 after a great weekend of learning, while Elijah Hartley capped off the Primo squad with a solid P16, reflecting his determined, steady rise.
In Senior Rotax, Dan Callaghan made his class debut. A sharp tyre call in a greasy heat bagged him a stunning P2 finish earlier in the weekend, and he brought it home P14 in the final with clean lines and improving pace. The learning curve is steep, but Dan’s clearly climbing it fast.
Jake Anders managed a P15 finish after recovering well from some early racecraft stumbles. Lewis Holt, ever positive and focused, ran into trouble in the final but still brought it home P26.
The Junior Rotax trio of Sumner, Cain, and Kell all saw their finals end in DNFs, but not before showing their ability. Lewis Sumner was electric from the moment he hit the circuit on Friday. His pace in testing was right at the sharp end, and he immediately set about fine-tuning every aspect of his performance. What stood out most was his approach, constantly asking questions, seeking feedback, and showing a real hunger to learn as he looked to be one of the drivers to beat on Friday, setting the pace early and constantly asking for data and feedback. Zac Cain showed consistent improvement through the heats and had worked into a strong position before contact ended his final prematurely.
The Chassis That Delivered
One theme ran through every result: the pace, balance, and consistency of the TB KART UK chassis. Whether carving through greasy heats, holding the lead in the final, or clawing back from setbacks, the TB Kart performed flawlessly. Its precision in changeable conditions and responsiveness in traffic gave drivers across all classes the tools they needed to fight.
If this weekend proved anything, it’s that the TB Kart UK chassis is a genuine contender’s weapon in British karting. Find out more at tbkart.co.uk.
Warden Law Was Just the Beginning
A win, a podium, purple sectors, and smart racing. But beyond the trophies, XKART left Warden Law with confidence, cohesion, and momentum. The team showed what happens when performance meets preparation—and with more rounds to come, there’s no question they’re just getting started.
