Thought I'd give a little update, since it's been a while!
During this time I've had another round of the Formula Kart Stars series - more terrible bad luck!
Engine problems stopped me from setting a time in Quali, meaning I started at the back for the Pre final. From 15th I moved up to 7th, but was in a collision.. but recovered back to 10th. This gave me a grid slot of P6 for the "B Final" with top 4 being promoted to the "A final". Well, I made a cracking start, and was upto 2nd after lap 2, and definately the man on the move. But then, my axle came loose! I've no idea how it happened, but it meant handling was affected, and the axle moved the disc brake, so it was hitting against the pads.. meaning no real straightline speed or acceleration
I ended up 8th, which was pretty disappointing given my early pace.. And the pace I should was also impressive, as I'd never driven the track in the dry before the Final.. as it was wet before.. and I was at an English Exam instead of the Friday test day which had both wet and dry. So I left the track again wondering what might have been.
Then, at the weekend just past.. the breakthrough - My first English podium, at the Rowrah circuit in Cumbria!
It was a good weekend, with the FKS series there in just 2 weeks, it was a good preperation.
I was 2nd or 3rd fastest on Saturday, but it was so hot, and we struggled with too much grip on the kart, even on really old tyres, and the same was to come on Sunday.
In heat 1 I DNF'd after my chain came off, after being in a comfortable 4th place from starting 8th out of 11, so it would have been a good result.
heat 2 I started 8th finished 5th, with the 3rd fastest lap to boot, so it showed promise, but we still really struggled with grip.. and this was also due to the fact my team manager was away at another race meeting with the team, so I couldn't rely on him!
I started P2 for the heat 3, and I ballsy move saw me lead after a move around the outside of the hairpin, and I led for 2 laps before being deposed down to 4th, where I would finish. My tyre pressures were a little too high, so I dropped back after about lap 3. After the heats it looked like P4 would be where I'd finish, as the 3 in front of me consisted of two locals, and a driver who was 9th in Formula Kart Stars at the minute!
I lined up 5th for the final, and after turn 1 I was through to 3rd. I came under pressure from a local driver, who had a scrimmage at turn 1, but looked tbe right on me again. Then I got a lucky break, the driver was involved in a collision on lap 2.. and I had a 3.5 second gap now to the driver.
But then, he started to close.. rapidly. he was taking about 0.4 out of me A LAP, and at the finish I was panicking a bit, and it affected my race performance.. and I finished the race only 0.3 ahead of the local driver.. who was easily the fastest man on the track!
It was a very good result, my best at the track by a mile! And it just shows how unlucky I've been at FKS, that the winner (9th in Formula Kart Stars just now) was only 0.2 faster than me in the fastest lap times, yet hes almost 25 places higher up than me in the championship!
I look forward to the FKS round at Rowrah in 2 weeks time, I'm not saying I'll win.. But I definately expect to make it to the A final for the first time.. I just need no mechanical problems!
some pics from the weekend:
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. Your well on your way Sam so dont fret everything will workout I'm sure.
! Hey in the pic of you holding the trophy are you wearing camo pants/shorts? If so THATS MY BOY!!!! 