So here we are, Sam at the end of his first full season of racing in Honda Cadets.  Here’s the results….

• Club2000 at RLK (non-MSA): 21st of 54 drivers completing 10 of 12 rounds
• HKRC at Kimbolton (MSA): 17th of 29 drivers completing 5 of 9 rounds

I would say that’s a solid, steady progress with LOTS of lessons learned for driver AND mechanic. Target for 2018 is to build on that and aim maybe for a top 10 in one or even both championships.

The November and December meetings to close 2017 were a real mix. Club2000 in November was not the best day at the office for Sam. It was pouring rain most of the day making it a real test. Sam was punted off from 3rd in Heat 1, then pulling off with damp in the electrics  and eventually rejoining to finish 19th. More than the usual front runners found themselves in the B final, which meant Sam would’t finish in the top 4 for an A Final start.

At HKRC the following weekend Sam started his last MSA meeting on Novice Plates. Heat 1 he gained one place, Heat 2 he gained 2 places. The final though saw Sam get tangled up with a kart which had gone off earlier that was then fighting back up through the pack. The resulting spin for Sam cost him time and two places.

The final race of 2017 for us would be Club2000 at RLK. Damp and very cold, I think Sam span on every heat for one reason or another.  The track was so cold we added a tooth in gearing after the first heat in the hope of improving speed through the corners. It seemed to work, in both Heat 4 and the A Final Sam logged the 4th fastest lap times. As it turns out, this would be a great way to finish the year. Sam I think is beginning to realise he can match the boys in the top 5, a confidence booster for sure.