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[Sam-KK24]

Coolio

Very few of them actually reply.. I learned that within 2 weeks of emailing local companies...

[Sam-KK24]

hey guys

had a clubbie meeting last weekend at Larkhall. 9 on the grid 2 of which finished in the top 3 of the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow British Championship.

On saturday testing I had an awful day, starter motor went early in the day which limited my track time in the torrential rain. Once I did get going I was very slow, about 0.8 off the pace.

Sunday was dry all day, although heat 1 had quite a few patches.

heat 1: Started 8th. Made a bad start, sensing a turn 1 collision. Made my way up to third, made a mistake and went back to fourth, but was very quick at the end and almost ended up 3rd. Only 1 tenth off no.3 and only 0.3 seconds off no.1 in Britain.

heat 2: Started 4th. Made my way up to third, challenging for top 2 (overtaking no.1 in process ) but while in fourth place my engine cut out and I didn't finish.

heat 3: Pole. Made a great start and lead for the first 2 laps, Was passed on the straight by top 3 as my clutch spring broke, so I did pretty well to come home fourth with such little power, because the axel was so stiff.

Final: Started 5th. Moved into fourth into turn 1, and 3rd by lap 3. Was forced wide on about lap 4 and went back to 5th, but was back up to 3rd by the next corner. By this time the first 2 were gone (no.1 and no.3) but I was matching their times until about lap 7, as I backed off because I was home and dry in 3rd.

My best ever finish at the Larkhall circuit, now with a podium at every Scottish track this season. Only 1 win at Larkhall away from winning at every Scottish circuit this season, so that is my aim for the remainder of the season.

We were extremely quick in the wet/dry race, being fastest on the track towards the end, so that leaves us with a lot of positives. Again, showing that we can compete with the very best. Ended up 10 seconds behind the eventual winner (British no.1) but as I said, I was held up in the early laps and I backed off at the end, so I believe if I had had a clean run and pushed all the way, I could have halved the gap, and been right up with no.3 in Britain.

Still don't know about next season, looks like we won't have enough money to do a National Championship next year which is a real shame. I'll probably have to do the NKF Championship again, although it's really not where we won't to be competing, but what can you do

[Sam-KK24]

I was testing at ESKC, Crail yesterday. I was testing on my old 2004 chassis, with my 2nd engine. The test was designed really to give the kart a run to make sure the engine was still working as it had not been run for 6 months.

The day started off on intermediate tyres. I was really quite slow, kart was pulling to the right a lot, and had to work hard to keep it in a straightline on the straight! And I suffered from a lot of understeer on entry, and oversteer on exit.

We went back and relined the steering and changed the rear width, and I was instantly on the pace, quickest by a couple of tenths, and driving really well.

Track was now half wet and half dry (my favourite conditions - I think it shows the better drivers) everyone was on slicks now. I was a 0.6 seconds quicker than a competitor in a Junior Blue (typically 0.2/0.3 seconds a lap quicker than my class) and I was 0.9 quicker than my nearest rival in my class (Junior Rotax). I felt very confident and the kart was really working well.

For the next session I used my 2008 kart, and matched my time set on the 2004 chassis, although I did have an off track excursion when the rain began to lash down again. Straight after that session I put it back into the van and continued on my 2004 kart, now fitted with intermediates (although in the conditions, I should have been on teh full wet) Went well again, and despite having virtually no brakes and water in my airbox... I was still matching the others times until the very end of the session when the engine was full of water, but even so.. I was only 0.5 off the front runner.

So all in all, a very good day! I think that my number 2 engine is actually a little stronger than my race engine.. so I'll back to back test it at the next race meeting

Only 1 more race of the 2008 season... and I still have to complete my second aim for the season, take a win at Larkhall - funnily enough.. my next race is there xD

I have a target set, and I plan on achieving it

[McLaren Fan]

It sounds like things went well. Good job.

[Sam-KK24]

Well, this season has been a massive improvement from last year, when I had 0 wins, and only 1 podium all season..

Even a team manager was looking at my results and was talking to us at the last meeting (We are usually ignored by most.. You learn in motorsport, like anything.. that the more successful you become, the more popular you become), so it is nice to be recognised around the paddock, after 6 years!

Still looking at National Championships for 09, but it looks like it'll be out of our budget, which is disappointing, as 2009 will be my last season in Junior Max, and I feel that now I am so comfortable in the class, that it would be my best chance of pushing for a seeded position..

If not, I would like to compete in the NKF championship again next season, with a few high profile club meetings too.

It bothers me that the fattest chequebooks = the fastest drivers now..

I mean, it's all about contacts. I'm sure you've heard of this 4 year old? FOUR YEARS OLD.. and he has a 3 year sponsorship deal worth £45,000 (15,000 per year), and he can't race for another FOUR!! he was on alot of tabloids, and even on BBC Radio 2 with Chris Evans. Now, I don't believe you can really spot talent at that age, they said stuff like, "I've never seen so much talent from a 4 year old"... BUT... how many 4 year olds have you ever seen drive a kart?

I found it rather annoying, but extremely funny.. That apparently this kid isn't very good, and is constantly spinning..

Another thing.. £15K per year.. but if he's not racing... What is he **cough**his theiving parents**cough** spending it on..

[7UpJordan]

I mean, it's all about contacts. I'm sure you've heard of this 4 year old? FOUR YEARS OLD.. and he has a 3 year sponsorship deal worth £45,000 (15,000 per year), and he can't race for another FOUR!! he was on alot of tabloids, and even on BBC Radio 2 with Chris Evans. Now, I don't believe you can really spot talent at that age, they said stuff like, "I've never seen so much talent from a 4 year old"... BUT... how many 4 year olds have you ever seen drive a kart?

I found it rather annoying, but extremely funny.. That apparently this kid isn't very good, and is constantly spinning..

Another thing.. £15K per year.. but if he's not racing... What is he **cough**his theiving parents**cough** spending it on..

I remember you told me about this guy on MSN, makes you think some people think they can see talent just because they can use their cheque-book on them. It's like the worst Premiership footballers in the world who earn £150K a week and just sit on their arses on the bench or get played and do bog all.

[7UpJordan]

Good news. Sam has just passed a message to me on MSN (he can't use the forum right now as his computer's messing around and scrolls to the bottom of the screen constantly) that he's managed to secure sponsorship worth £1245 and is entering the BRDC Stars of tomorrow Championship. And also he'll be doing a race in Genk, Belgium too.

[McLaren Fan]

That's not bad. I hope things go well for him.

[Sam-KK24]

Hey Guys!

Down at my grans atm, since my PC is buggered

Just gotta sort a few last details out with the sponsor and we should be good to go for 2009!

Paying all the entry fees will be a massive help to us, so we should also be able to join a team!

[texasmr2]

This is great news Sam I'm very happy for you. I never recieved a reply from that one gent but atleast I tried. Best of luck in '09 mate we will all be cheering for you .

Gregg

[Sam-KK24]

Hey Guys

I was testing yesterday at Crail, was very cold and two corners had puddles on them until the very end of the day, and they were still damp.

We were about 1.2 seconds off my personal best at the start of the day, and I managed to get it down to 42.7 (6 tenths off my best) about 1/2 through the day. We decided to change engine to compare which was better.

We took about 20 minutes to change engine and we were back out again. I was on it, setting pretty consistant laptimes of 42.3 (only 0.2 off my best!) and with the conditions I was pretty amazed. I went out again, really wanting to break my best laptime, which is the ultimate confident booster...

Well on my last session I was pushing like hell, I had a few scary moments, but actually did it! I did a 42.13, which was 0.02 faster than my previous best. You might think I'd be delighted? I was pretty devastated, as I was 0.01 from the Lap Record!! In those conditions, I was mighty proud of myself, and I hope I can keep this form in 2009.

The Lap Record was set in the Summer, at the Scottish Round 5 (Which I won, and set my previous personal best ).

Even better was the fact that I should have been the ssecond slowest kart there (there were only 6) but I was quuckest, by just under a full second. My mate who has a Junior Formula Blue (should be 2 or 3 tenths quicker) was 2nd fastest on a 43.03 and all the other Senior drivers were at the 43.10 mark, so I was pretty pleased!

Someone a the track was taking pics and vids, so there are a few on youtube..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhxbDX19KWw&feature=channel_page

I'm at 4 seconds, 7 seconds, 15 secs, 18 secs, 24 secs, 36 secs. I'm on vids at 45 secs, 1 min 9, 2 mins

[texasmr2]

Sweet and thanks for the update, pics and video. Nice to hear about the sponsorship Sam I'm very happy to hear that and I'm sorry that my idea of forumula1.com being able to sponsor you has not panned out yet but dont loose faith.

Pre-Happy New Year,
Gregg

[Sam-KK24]

No problem Tex

Looks like we are on the pace for 2009, which is perfect timing with the British Championship qualifier in Febuary

I'll just use this thread for updates (for thos that are interested )

I hope to see some of you British members when I visit a track near you in the British Champs

My next outing will be at the Larkhall circuit on the 4th, and looks like I'll be testing the new 2009 gillard Daytona chassis.

[McLaren Fan]

It seems like you had a very good day, Sam. Thanks for the pictures and video. Crail looks a decent wee circuit.

[Sam-KK24]

Crail is a cracking track, I started my racing there 6 years ago.

This year saw a track extension, but it's had mixed reviews. I hated it at first, really struggled to get on the pace, but I like a lot more now that I'm a bit faster.

I've just had a look at the Stars of Tomorrow entry list, now at 33 (max is 48) and with the entry date set at Jan 11th, it looks like it will be oversubscribed. This means that all the Newbies to the Championship will have to qualify. Shouldn't be too bad if it's at a track I've been to before, always helps to know the track before you arrive at the weekend!

We should have our entry to Stars of Tomorrow, MSA License, Larkhall Club membership forms off later this week, and if my license if back soon enough my first meeting of the year will be at Larkhall. I'm looking at investing in a cheap digital Camera so that I can upload more races online Anyone know cheap, good cameras?