Club100 Cadet North Round 1 Silverstone - Review

The 2026 Club100 Cadet North season began at the brand new Silverstone kart circuit, marking the first competitive kart race held on the new layout. As the opening round of the championship at one of the most iconic venues in British motorsport, it provided a significant benchmark to begin the year.

The day started with early rain, leaving the circuit damp and greasy for the morning sessions. With very little rubber on a fresh surface, grip levels were inconsistent and evolved throughout the event as the track gradually dried.

Practice focused on settling into the new layout and adapting to the changing grip levels. Hayden finished P17 as conditions continued to improve through the session.

Qualifying remained challenging with the circuit still damp and difficult to read. Hayden set a time for P17 but received a penalty for speeding under yellow flags, which dropped him to P20 for the Pre Final B. It was an important reminder of race management discipline and created an opportunity to recover positions in the heats.

Starting P20 in Pre Final B, Hayden delivered one of the standout drives of the day.

Over eight laps he gained 13 positions to finish P7, making up 7 places on the opening lap. It was an aggressive but controlled recovery drive, showing confidence in traffic and the ability to move forward decisively as conditions evolved.

He progressed from P5 to P3 on the opening lap and quickly established himself within the lead group, positioning for a move into P2 when a full course yellow was deployed. The restart compressed the field and led to an intense midfield battle. Hayden fought back to P8 before heavy contact on the final lap ended his race prematurely. He was assessed by the medical team and cleared with minor bruising.

Although the final classification of P19 does not reflect the overall pace shown, the performance across the final two sessions confirmed front running potential within the Cadet North field.

Key Positives

• 13 positions gained in Pre Final B

• Demonstrated podium pace in the B Final

• Strong recovery drives under pressure

• Adaptation to evolving track conditions

Round 1 provided valuable experience and a strong foundation for the championship campaign.

Focus now turns to Round 2 at Whilton Mill.