ELLA Stevens remains in contention to win the KZ2 title in the Wera Tools British Karting Championships despite losing her place at the top of the leaderboard during the latest race at Shenington. 

16-year-old Stevens from Wotton made the journey to Oxfordshire (July 22-23) as the points leader after widely impressing during her first half-season in the category.

The pace of the Jade Racing Team ace confirmed her potential once more during practice, with Stevens an ever-present at the top of the timesheets during pre-event testing, before then qualifying on the front row in a highly competitive field.

The heats, however, would prove to be a character-building affair for the Gloucestershire-based teenager, with fifth and eighth-placed finishes

The Pre-Final threatened to de-rail the weekend – and perhaps Stevens’ title hopes – but in typical fashion, the rising star dug deep to salvage something from the event.

Starting on the sixth row, Stevens set about climbing the order during the Final, eventually taking the chequered flag a very credible sixth.

It means she will travel to Rowrah, Cumbria on 15-17 September with a chance of still taking the championship crown, with a gap of just 12 points to new leader, Morgan Porter.

"It wasn’t an ideal weekend for me, with some mixed fortune in the heats, and then a pre-Final result which was always going to make the Final difficult," said Stevens.

"But I always enjoy a challenge, and it was enjoyable on a circuit as tricky to overtake as Shenington to come through the pack to sixth.

"Our objective going into the Final was always just make progress and gain a few spots, which we more than achieved. Even in the traffic whilst passing other karts, I was able to get the second-fastest lap, too, so it’s clear we had the pace, just not the luck this weekend.

"I’m now third in the points heading to Rowrah, but the gap isn’t insurmountable, and we’ve seen just how competitive KZ is this season, so it all can all change very quickly. I’m feeling upbeat and can’t wait to get to Cumbria – it’s all still to play for."