CASTLE Eaton karting star Richard Hughes completed a unique double last weekend by competing in both the World Rotax Max Challenge qualifying round and in the Shenington SuperPrix at the same meeting.

The double entry involved a dozen practice sessions on Saturday and nine heats and three finals on Sunday; an exhausting schedule made worse by temperatures approaching 30 degrees!

The Total Butler driver had to use two different karts for the separate events, as they required different tyres and set-ups, as well as ensuring that any damage sustained in one would not jeopardise the other.

Circumstances would reveal that this was wise planning! The 125 Rotax Max class is now becoming the most popular in karting and the World qualifying rounds have attracted most of the top drivers in the country.

The scene was set for a fast and furious confrontation - and it turned out to be just so.

Hughes, using his new Arrow AX8 kart with a BRT engine, was quickly on the pace, but in the second heat the current British champion tried to squeeze by in the chicane and ended up on top of Richard's kart.

Hughes sustained severe bruising to his leg and foot as the front of his kart was ripped off.

The team repaired the kart, but Richard suffered badly for the rest of the day. Nevertheless he fought his way up final one and climbed to eighth by the end of final two.

Meanwhile, Shenington Kart Club were running one of their biggest meetings of the year - the Shenington SuperPrix.

For this event, all the drivers in each class were equally split into teams and had to wear the team sponsor's T-shirt over their race suits.

There were trophies and prizes for the winning teams and other activities, including an action display of vintage karts.

As team captain of the Spirit Volkswagen, Richard's helped to pull the team up to an overall fourth spot from the 15 sponsors.

In the SuperPrix Rotax Max races, which also counted for the club championship, Hughes qualified on the front row of the grid for the final.

After struggling with his tyres and dropping a few places in the opening stages, he fought back to finish third.

"I am absolutely shattered", said Richard at the prizegiving. "It was a crazy idea to do them both at the same time, but I needed the club points and also wanted the experience of competing at the highest level in Rotax Max.

"Eighth place doesn't sound like a major achievement, but it was all climbing back after the accident. I would really like to thank my team and our sponsors for making it possible."

Further details can be found on the team's KDesign web site at: www.bizness.co.uk/karting