The 2008 British open endurance kart championship trophy arrived on Pembrokeshire soil recently, with a family team from Letterston taking the honours. Along with team principal CJ Davies, three brothers - Iwan, Aran and Ryan, decided to undertake the challenge which began in March.

No.1 driver Iwan Davies headed the line-up, having won the 2006 British 125 ICC gearbox championship, he was not short on experience or ability. For the other drivers, the season - consisting of eight four and half-hour races in a two stroke racing kart capable of speeds of up to 90mph, was an entirely new and daunting prospect.

The first race, held at the Whilton Mill circuit in Northamptonshire, went without problems. It was not until the team arrived at the snow covered Daytona International Speedway in Milton Keynes for round two that they realised the challenge in front of them.

In treacherous conditions, they feared an early retirement after a high-speed impact with the tyre barrier for Aran, during his first stint. This brought out the safety car and duty mechanics CJ and Iwan repaired the damage and the kart was back on the circuit in seven minutes. With the debris cleared, the race was re-started and after 165 laps the team saw the chequered flag first in their class for the second time running, and were beginning to stake their claim for the title.

The summer rounds of the championship were largely uneventful, with perhaps the team’s best performance coming in the blistering heat of round three in May. They completed 213 laps, without putting a wheel wrong all day and cruised to a win that earned them special applause from their fellow competitors at the prize-giving ceremony.

The final round took place on October 19th, and with the title already sewn up, CJ Davies Racing reinforced its dominance with another emphatic win.

Special mention must go to team leader CJ Davies. During each race, in addition to his three 20 minute sessions in the cockpit, he was responsible for making crucial strategy decisions and took care of the tyre changes and refuelling during the pit stops. He also stripped and rebuilt the engine single handed between races.

Although continually questioning tyre choices, the team’s newest member Aran took to racing like a professional - showing remarkable speed and consistency in his lap times, after only minimal seat time and questionable dietary decisions.

There is no substitute for experience and that was proven time and again throughout the year by lead driver Iwan Davies, who was blisteringly quick, especially in qualifying trim. The super soft tyres and light fuel load allowing him to show his remarkable talent and he consistently put the team at the sharp end of the starting grid. After 789 miles of racing and five visits to the top step of the podium, team principal CJ Davies did not rule out the possibility of the team returning to defend their title next season.