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Race Results

Drama at Kimbolton

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On the dummy grid at Kimbolton

When Sam started his karting adventure, the ambition was always to get to proper MSA racing. With Sam having passed his ARKS test and with 2017 MSA Licence in hand, we were keen to get to our first MSA meet. Kimbolton always had a facination for me because of the history. The Hunts Kart Racing Club venue is one of the originals, established in 1959 on the site of the base of the 379th USAF Bomber Squadron in World War Two. It is also the closest kart track to us but only open one weekend a month for the race meetings, no corporate karting aspect at all.

The HKRC Chairman was very welcoming when I enquired about going for our first taste of MSA racing. We made our entry, booked a pit bay and turned up on the Saturday for practice. Our first error was not getting there early enough for a track walk. The error became apparent when Sam failed to find the pit entry after the first session and spent extra time on track looking for it! Tears followed and I got a roasting by the officials. The later sessions were better and Sam quickly got up to pace. The weather helped as temperatures reached over 20ºC with clear blue skies. Sam’s practice lap times were eventually down to 51s a real achievement for his first time at Kim.

Our next error was not doing more time on the harder MSA LS2 tyres. We only shod the kart with these for the final practice session and they really needed more heat cycles and laps on them before race day. Having said that the qualifying session on Sunday morning saw Sam just 0.3-0.4 secs off Sam’s friends Charlie and Ollie from Red Lodge who are also novices but with previous experience at Kim. Sam started the first heat in P11 in a grid of 15 and immediately dropped a place to Charlie, which was to be expected as he totally missed the start as the start light sequence is different to RLK. Sam held 12th until the penultimate last lap where he span thanks to a tap from behind. Then in 14th Sam passed two stricken karts to finish in 12th. At least we could say Sam was on the pace with other novices, no shame there.

Heat 2 was red flagged first lap after a collision saw Ollie tended to by paramedics on track but fortunatley walking wounded. Unfortunately that turned out to be a bad omen. The re-run heat 2 saw only 12 karts start and Sam played a blinder passing Charlie and Macie to move into 9th. Sadly a coming together with Macie saw Freya and Charlie pass Sam and eventually 11th was the best he could do.

Heat 3 was where our real drama came. Sam made a great start again to pass Freya and with kart 86 off Sam was into 10th. He tried to hold on to Charlie but couldn’t and with Freya, Macie and 86 closing he went into lap 5 looking back and defensive. For some reason Sam span in Kestrel and hit the tyres hard. The first I knew was he didn’t appear as expected down the start/finish straight. Waved yellows and then a red flag heightened my fears. Running down to the far end of the circuit I could see Sam being attended to by the medics. Eventually I was let onto the track and saw Sam taken from his kart, immobilised on a spinal board and then onto a trolley. I joined him in the ambulance for the short trip the medical centre at the circuit. That was to be the end of our racing for the weekend. A later ambuklance ride to Hinchingbrooke A&E confirmed all was infact okay, spinal X-rays all clear. But this was a real scare for a time, unfortunately our cadet drivers often forget about the dangers and show little fear in the heat of the race.

I need to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the HKRC for the care Sam recieved after his crash and the reassurance they gave us. The marshalls, medics and officials have my utmost respect and thanks. We will be back I hope, with a new suit (previous one now a trophy, Sam having been cut out of it!) and a checked kart (no major damage obvious).

Result: 13th of 15 on the day…without the drama in Heat 3 and spin in Heat 1 Sam would have had sniff at 9th and the novice trophy. But congrats to the girls (Freya and Macie), it was their time to shine!

Next Month: Club2000 and the East Anglian Trophy meeting at Kimbolton??

Race Results

April Meeting Club 2000: A bad day at the office

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Unfortunately the Club2000 April Meeting at Red Lodge continued where we left off in March, in other words not great. Despite arriving at 7.35am we couldn’t get our trailer opening into the awning space behind Rob’s van but we got set quickly. The new DEP exhaust was added quickly before scrutineering, a new regulation requirement from this month. Transponder check was uneventful but Dad got mixed up, reading the wrong time against Sam’s name. It looked like a good 3s off the pace but in fact he was fine just lots clocking the same kind of time. Conditions were nice and dry so for the first time this year we were on SL3 slicks straight off.

For us there was then a long wait, Sam was placed in Heat 3, 4 and 5 so all our racing would be in the afternoon despite the early start.

Heats 3 and 4 saw Sam starting mid-pack and unfortunately lose places after gains off the start. Discipline in holding the racing line and hence being able defend position seemed to be a key learning this weekend.

Heat 5 started well with Sam making a blinding start beating one of the front runners into turn 1 and 2 only to be apparently deliberately punted off by that same experienced racer. This was made worse by Sam getting a warning for contact when I fact he was just the middle domino in a series of contact caused by the kart to Sam’s rear. A visit later to the Clerk of the Course initiated by Sam had us clarifying the incident, all part of racing they say.

For the first time in the last three races Sam found himself back in the B final. Starting from P9 and looking for a top 4 finish to get into the A Final it looked to be a tall order. Off the start Sam was up to P5 with one more place get but sadly an error meant an off and places lost. Frustration reigned and eventually 12th was the best we could muster although the silver lining was PB lap of 47.98s. When we first came to Red Lodge and lapped in 55s in the warm & dry 47s seemed impossible. Yet here we are and 47s it is! However, Sam was very disappointed and it showed, we stayed to watch the A Final for some inspiration but not much helped.

So May next (unless we get to Kimbolton)  see you there!

Race Results

Sam finds some pace…

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So here we are 3 months and 3 races into 2017, F1 is back on the TV and all is well. Having competed in just 4 of 12 Club2000 races in 2016 Sam and I have been looking forward to our first full year racing. Of 59 Cadet drivers scoring points last year Sam finished in 41st position, most importantly we got some experience and we can start this year at least knowing a bit about what we need to be doing.

Here’s a run down of what’s happened so far…

January Race:

Sam doesn’t much like the wet and January was wet, having said that he is growing in confidence in when conditions are not so good. That was proven by a 5th fastest time set on the Odd Practice Session. Heat 2 was Sam’s first heat, starting in 17th things didn’t go well on lap 1 losing 2 places. Lap 2 he got them back as others struggled and further gains put him up to 14th. Eventually he lost one place to his friend Aaron (who had dropped from 2nd to 20th himself after a mishap on lap 2) just one lap before the end.

Heat 4 was next and heading out from P2 was going to be a challenge. In fact a spin on lap 2 saw Sam drop to 15th and then battles with Olly and Freddie saw Sam gain a place and lose it again.

Heat 5 was plagued with difficulty first with a late start due to issues with the timing system. Then Sam plunged from 11th to 19th.

In the B Final we were in P9 of 15 drivers. Sam made steady progress chasing Sophie and eventually overtaking her. A defence then of 6th from the 14 kart gave Sam his best finish in a final to date. In fact, Sam accumulated 65 points over the day so his best race meeting so far.

February Race:

The February meeting was to prove to be Sam’s best meeting to date, scoring 90 points towards the Championship. A chassis change at the end of Jan to a late 2015 Project One seemed to be a positive move. Right from the outset Sam was looking positive even on a cold damp track setting a 3rd fastest time. Heat 2 was Sam’s first race and lap 1 saw him take Freddie and Rocky to move up to 13th from P15. Freddie got that back and move on up to P10. Sam went on to chase Olly down and take a decent 13th. More notable perhaps was the 4th fastest lap on his last lap which was just 0.5s off the leaders best pace.

Heat 3 saw Sam in P3 on the grid. A confident start meant Sam was able to give chase on the leaders whilst the pack were held back for a lap by the 4th place kart. I could hardly watch as Sam continued lap after lap in P3, the two quicker karts worked their way through to 4th and 5th but battled one another leaving Sam to finish in P3. I shed a tear, so proud of him and his first podium in Club2000.

Heat 4 was not so good starting from 10th and with a first lap tangle taking Sam began lap 2 in 18th. Quickly those he chased down his old chassis now being raced as number 11 and moved up. A pass late  on around Macie got Sam 15th. The accumulated points put Sam straight into the A final which was another first. Early gains over the first 2 laps saw Sam up to 16th. But he lost those positions later finishing as he started in P19.

Another best meeting ever with 90 point scored was a great result.

March Race:

Expectations were high going in to March but things would not pan out as expected. Once again it looked like the race meeting would be spent on intermediate tyres, with the track wet and slippery but no rain falling. Sam showed well on the 3 lap transponder check 7th fastest of 14. The draw was good with Sam in Heat 1, 3 and 5. In Heat 1 Sam started in 17th and finished there too, that doesn’t tell the whole story though as places were traded up and down and Sam posted the 5th fastest lap (50.77s).

For Heat 3 the track was much dryer but with a few damp patches and the temperature struggling the choice was still inters. P10 on the grid and a 10th place finish was a solid performance.

Heat 5 was drier still and now a mix of tyres was seen on the grid. Our choice was inters as in P2 we hope to make a good start and then defend. In the end though places slipped through Sam fingers and 9th was a respectable finish even if Sam didn’t think so.

So for the second time ever Sam would be in the A Final. This was however to be a brief affair. Starting back in 20th place Sam made a good start passing a few karts through turn 1 and into turn 2. However, kart 74 our friend Charlie had been punted into a spin out of turn 3 and Sam was unable to avoid him. The resulting bang was hear across the circuit with Sam ripping a tyre from a rim, breaking a rose joint and bending a track rod plus mangling a stub axle badly on the front left. Sam was naturally disappointed but no one was hurt and we spent the rest of the race as spectators in the marshal’s post on the 180 hairpin.

Anyway another 80 points earned toward the championship putting Sam in 21st of 42 drivers.

 

Race Results

Ups & Downs for Sam in Club2000

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So after a good start in his first Club2000 race in August, Sam took part in 3 more races in the back end of 2016. This meant we raced in 4 of 12 rounds and ended 41st of a total of 59 competitors in the year. This was us dipping a toe into the world of kart racing before going for a full season in 2017.

There were highs and lows in all three races. I’ve neglected the updates here until now but I will try and capture the key bits:

September Race: Starting 19th of 20 starters in Heat 1 Sam got round in one piece, gaining one place after 88 went off but finished 19th after Olly got round him on the last lap. In Heat 4 Sam had a blinding start moving from 18th and last on the grid to 13th in the first few corners only to lose all but one of them at the chequered flag. Sam’s fastest lap of 49.57s compares to the heat fastest of 46.69s, so much progress made but more yet to do. Heat 5 had Sam finish 15th after 3 places were gained on lap 1 and held. Sam lined up for the B Final in 8th of 12 starters. Weather was going to be the decider and more importantly tyre choice. The race started dry and most of the field started on slicks. The rain came and Sam started to struggle, more rain in the final laps saw everyone spinning except the two drivers starting on inters/wets. Sam finished in 11th.

October Race: A wet one, not Sam’s favoured conditions. In Heat 1 he went from 18th to 15th on lap 1 but lost those places again by the finish. Heat 2, same again, great gains on lap one but a spin on lap six undid all the good work. That took it out of Sam, he was so annoyed with himself I worried he wouldn’t get back at it. Heat 4 is best forgotten, 16th to dead last enough said. The B Final was pretty much a repeat of Heat 4. Time for home!

November Race: Having completed three race meetings successfully Sam ditched his Novice plates meaning now he would be fully in the mix including in the reverse grid Heat where he would start in P2. He managed to hold a top 5 place for a good few laps but trying too hard undid things again. I can’t remember the other Heats  really but the B Final was good for Sam, starting in 12th of 14 and finishing 7. It would have been 6th but having battled with Tyler (24) for several laps, Sam got a slow exit on the last corner and was taken on the line. Great racing boys!

We didn’t race in December, Sam choosing instead to play football for Cambourne FC U9s in a cup match. I was very proud to see Sam choose to support his teammates that day.

So, on into 2017. Will post a summary of the January meeting soon…

News, Race Results

A Trophy?! Where did that come from!!

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Every other Sunday, we head up to Red Lodge Karting for  run by Mick French and co. It’s been a great way for Sam to build his experience and get seat time.

Team 4: Sam and Liam, 3rd place Cadet team
Team 4: Sam and Liam, 3rd place Cadet team

The typical format is three or four groups of drivers doing two sessions in Honda engined corporate karts (160cc for cadets and 240cc for the juniors) using the 700m circuit. The drivers are grouped by experience starting at grade 5 (newbies) with the target being grade 1 (race ready). Add to that sessions for owner drivers using the 1200m circuit, you then a have a great way to spend a Sunday (well we think so anyway…Mum and little sister not so keen!). It get’s better because in the afternoon there is endurance racing with teams of 2-3 drivers racing over 60-90mins with trophies for 1st, 2nd & 3rd placed teams in each class. The teams are chosen at random, mixing experienced and less experienced racers, so everyone has a chance of getting a trophy. More of that later.

 

This Sunday we headed for RLK with our engine-less kart, the plan being to bolt on a borrowed engine (thanks Rob). Our engine is heading to RPM for repairs hopefully (see previous post!). We did take delivery of another second-hand engine this week but as it came without a clutch or exhaust it wasn’t just a straightforward bolt on and go. The engine is a Select Parts (SP) average power 6.2hp (compared to our other engine at 6.004) with a new piston and rings, so should be a good one hopefully. Rob has it now to check and test before the next Club 2000 race on the 3rd Sept. Once we were signed on, we set about getting the engine on and kart ready. Our paddock buddies for the day were Freya and “Diesel” Dave Woodall (so called after an unfortunate mis-fuelling debacle at their first Club2000 race in July). After overnight showers, the track was damp, so intermediates were the tyre of choice, for session 1 at least. Owners drivers were first up today, helping us get 3 full sessions of 15 or so laps in before the endurance racing in the afternoon.

Session 1 then was a solid start. Off the dummy grid, Sam followed Freya for the whole session finding their way past slower karts. Sam did try and pass but just couldn’t make the one or two opportunities stick. Lap times were down on the damp track compared to warm dry conditions, in the 52’s average compared to the front runners doing 50’s. Sam was clearly trying hard to take on lessons about racing line and flow through the corners, with a wider entry to the 180 hairpin and later apex enabling better speed out plus overtaking opportunities. He was also trying hard not to lean into the corners motorbike style, instead staying upright or even leaning away from the turn. At least he’s listening!

After session 1 Dave and I thought we’d be clever, looking like pros by leaving the wheels off the karts because although the track was drying, it looked like rain was possible. Unfortunately what we hadn’t planned on was owner drivers being back on as group 3 after two of the corporate YoungStarz groups. That meant a flurry of activity to get slick tyres on to match the drying conditions.

After a few laps of the second session I could see Sam as not happy, the head shaking and banging of fist on steering wheel were the indicators. After the session he was insisting the intermediates go back on but that wasn’t needed, conditions were improving. The complaint was the kart wasn’t turning in as it should. It occurred to me tyre pressures may have been the issue because in the rush I hadn’t had chance to check the pressures on the slicks. In fact the rears were at 19psi and the fronts at 15psi, so the fronts probably were too low. So, we went for 20psi all round, ready for the third session.

Session 3 was indeed an improvement with Sam happier with the turn in and stability, times came down into the 50’s, would prefer 49’s and then 48’s but happy to have improved things. Next practice will be an Owner Driver day at Red Lodge next week, so assuming conditions allow, that will be the target, improving on times achieved in the Cadet B Final earlier this month.

Anyway, on to the endurance race! Having packed up our kart and kit, all the drivers headed for the briefing and to choose teams. With fewer drivers than usual the race would be just one hour and only two drivers or team, so nowhere to hide! Some very experienced front runners were getting partnered together, so Sam’s ambition for a Cadet podium was not looking good at all. Luckily Sam was buddied with Liam in Team 4, who it turns out already had a collection of trophies from previous races and who is now also an owner driver aiming for Club2000. Sam bravely opted for the first stint which included a few qualifying laps to establish the start grid position. He got held up quite a bit and so ended up just two place off the back of the grid. Freya on the other hand had a storming qualifying session to take 2nd on the grid! Amazing stuff! Sam made a confident start in the race not loosing out in the first lap, then he pulled out some brilliant laps gaining 4 places and banking consistent 39’s laps (700m circuit remember!) before the first driver change 10 minutes or so later. Liam was cool and improved the position further and at one point we were 4th overall and 2nd or 3rd Cadet. Sam’s next session was not so productive, although he managed to maintain his pace. He was upset to find he’d slipped to 8th overall. Liam battled through the final session and the took the chequered flag and by my calculation looking at the timing screens the boys had finished a creditable 4th in the Cadets. Well done Team 4!! We settled in the briefing room and Mick began reveal the results in reverse order from ‘most considerate team’ (last) upward. Mick got to “in 4th place with a total of 83 laps and a fastest lap of 38.xx…..Team 3… What!!! That means ….YES! Result! Team 4 came 3rd!! And importantly for Sam he gets his first trophy! Happy to admit I had a tear in my eye as Sam wrestled the trophy from Fiona’s hand. So pleased for him….”you see Sam you can do it!” A great confidence boost for the next Club2000 race.

Next report after the Owner Drivers day on the 30th August…

 

Race Results

First Club2000 Race @RedLodgeKarting

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The Headlines:

  • Personal best fastest lap in the Final race…objective met!
  • Crash in second heat….You bent the kart Sam!
  • Lot’s of lessons learnt…Much more to learn!

Well we finally got here…our first proper race. After 2 years of practice, steady improvement and having completed training at YoungStarz, it was time to put everything together. It was a very early start leaving the house at 7am. I was probably as as excited as Sam who sat bolt upright in bed when I woke him at 6.30am. When we arrived at the circuit, loads of teams were already set-up including Rob who is helping us with our first steps. It turns out we still have lots to learn! Mechanic and driver…

Rob had already told me there were issues with the kart earlier in the week. It turns out the engine was knocking as result of oil starvation!

Lesson 1: You need 475ml of Joe Gibbs oil in the Honda engine, particularly if you go to a circuit with fast flowing corners like WildTraks (just over the A11 from Red Lodge)

Fortuntately Rob was able to lend us a strong T1 engine for the day. So Sam and I set about getting sorted, kart on trolley, fuel in etc. and getting our space under the awning with the other newbies. We then went to Sign On. Next problem…Sam forgot a kit bag containing gloves, neck brace and rib protector! A call home to mum who was asleep…and yes the bag was in the hall. AAARRGGH!! How do I get Sam to be more switched on an managing himself!!!Last time he forgot his race suit and had to borrow one of them. Anyway Mum and sister would rescue the day by driving over with the missing kit.

Lesson 2: We need checklists! For all the kit we need to take when karting. And preferably one bag for Sam with ALL his kit in one bag….not three as it is now!

The next step was the 3 lap tansponder check/ qualifying. Sam is on novice plates for up to six races, this could  be reduced but for now it’s 6 which is fine. After the  3 laps Sam came back saying the kart wa not as fast as before, he posted a fastest time in the session of over 54 secs and he was down to consistent 50.something laps in previous practice sessions. Rob reassured him the engine was capable of getting him into the top 10…so it’s down to the driver.

The first heat was then upon us Sam started in 22nd of 24 starters, so a full grid. No first corner or first lap dramas and he settled down keeping pace with the others at the back. He eventually finished in 23rd after politely waving karts through that he thought were lapping! Sam’s fastest lap was a 50.20 a personal best to that point, with half of his times in the 50.’s. So far so good, at this point we are not going for the podium, the target is sub 48sec.

Lesson 3: Don’t be so nice! Let the other drivers fight for their place, defend your position unless the blue flag is being waved at you. Otherwise you are giving up points!!

One observation Rob made during the first heat was Sam’s habit of leaning into the corner. He threatened to take his kart away and give him a motorbike!

Lesson 4: Lean the opposite way to the corner…right hand corner, lean out left. Somewhat counter intuitive but it will keep the kart more stable through corner and carry more speed

Lunch break came then, so a big break before Sam’s next heat. This was fun! The session was red flagged after a crash on the 180 hairpin, unfortunately Sam wasn’t able to avoid the stricken karts, crashed into them and bent his rear axle. The session would restart but even with fast work from Rob and others to bend the axle back to straight, we couldn’t get back to the grid in time. So no points there. Far from disappointed I think Sam was quite excited to be peripherally involved in the incident! Lot’s to talk to his buddies sharing the awning space.

The next heat saw Sam almost give up, finding himself at the back after gaining a couple of places on the first corner and then losing them. Then he had a good battle with his friend Freddie which saw them swapping places a few times in the early laps. Actually both had spins but Sam span off last which seemed to have a major impact on motivation after that.

Lesson 5: Never give up! The race isn’t done until the chequered flag and every lap is a lesson at this stage. Anything could happen further up the field, handing you more points. Note to self….How do you coach an 8 year old on the power of positive thinking when you are sometimes not the best at that yourself!

Sam picked himself up for the B Final. With only 8 starters in the final and Sam staring in 8th he was still gloomy and resigned to finishing last. However, the pole sitter crashed on lap 1 and then Freddie and Sam battled again, exchanging place a couple of times before Feddie finished the race in 6th and Sam just 2 seconds behind in 7th. The key thing though was Sam achieving his personal best fastest lap of 49.55 with half of his laps timed in the 49s. Brilliant!

Next Race…Saturday 3rd September….Can Sam get into to the 48s. The key apparently is finding the flowing line and smoothness…check this out…

The Hidden Secret Behind Driving Smooth