The England Deaf Karting League successfully launched its 2026 season with Round 1 on 14th March at the newly opened Kart Silverstone venue, marking a historic occasion as the first organised event to be held at the new facility.
Located at the world-famous Silverstone Circuit, Kart Silverstone is a state-of-the-art karting complex developed as part of a £16.5 million investment. The venue features the International Circuit, a challenging 932-metre track with 12 corners that provides drivers with a demanding mix of technical and high-speed sections.
Weather conditions remained fair throughout the day, allowing competitors to enjoy excellent racing conditions from start to finish. A total of 44 drivers attended the opening round, while many family members, supporters and karting fans were also present to witness this landmark event.
To ensure fair competition across the field, all drivers competed to a minimum race weight of 90kg, with ballast added where required under league regulations.
The race programme consisted of a 10-minute first qualifying session followed by a 12-minute opening heat race. Drivers then returned to the circuit for a 3-minute second qualifying session before competing in a second 12-minute heat race. The day concluded with a 15-minute final, where drivers battled for honours in the opening round of the season.
The Final B race produced excellent competition throughout the field. Andrei Stoian delivered a strong and consistent performance to secure victory, while Matthew Durant claimed second place after a determined drive. Eduardo Favilla completed the podium with an impressive third-place finish.
The feature Final A race provided a thrilling conclusion to the day’s action. Jasper Fitzgerald-Woolfe produced an outstanding performance to take victory in the opening round of the championship. Rachael Mallard secured an excellent second-place finish after showing strong pace throughout the event, while Daniel Hopkinson completed the podium in third place following a hard-fought race.
Following the opening round at Kart Silverstone, Jasper Fitzgerald-Woolfe leads the England Deaf Karting League championship standings. Dave Sumner currently sits in second place, while Rachael Mallard holds third position after an impressive start to the season.
Although the championship table is beginning to take shape, there is still a long way to go before the title is decided. With only two rounds remaining, every point will be crucial as drivers continue their fight for championship honours. The competition remains wide open, and the remaining rounds are expected to provide plenty of excitement as the battle for the 2026 England Deaf Karting League title continues.
The England Deaf Karting League would like to extend its sincere thanks to Race Director Jonathan Taylor for overseeing the event and ensuring a successful and safe opening round. Special thanks also go to Naomi Barry, the British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreter, whose support helped ensure clear communication throughout the event. The BSL interpretation service was funded by Motorsport UK, whose continued support for accessibility in motorsport is greatly appreciated.
The league would also like to thank the EKDA Committee and all volunteers whose hard work behind the scenes helped make the event possible. Their dedication and commitment played a vital role in delivering a successful championship opener at Kart Silverstone.
Finally, the England Deaf Karting League thanks Kart Silverstone, all drivers, teams, officials, supporters and spectators for making the first event at the new venue such a memorable occasion. The event showcased the continued growth of deaf motorsport in the United Kingdom and provided a fantastic start to the 2026 championship season.