MECHANICAL gremlins hampered Mark Vaughan’s challenge in round two of the British Superkart campaign.

The Weymouth driver lost his engine sprocket in race one at Thruxton, the fastest circuit in the UK, so started the final race of the event at the back of the grid.

A valiant effort though, saw Vaughan come home in an impressive ninth spot.

Vaughan, who placed 15th in the qualifying event, said: “In race one I got away cleanly and was soon up into eighth after lap two, but then on the long run to the chicane the engine sprocket somehow came off so race one over in a flash.

“I made another clean start in the second race, only this time from the rear of the 33-kart grid due to the non-finish in race one.

“At the end of 10 laps I finished ninth after passing 19 other drivers, and I was only inches from the back of seventh and eighth. In fact, my steering wheel dash had me on lap nine so I thought I had another lap to go.”

Next up for Vaughan is a trip to Anglesey, North Wales next month for the UK Cup.