My Karts over the years.
This was the first kart I ever drove. I'm not sure of the chassis, I think its a Zip with a ZIP 100cc engine.
This picture was taken in the pit lane of Buckmore Park in roughly 1990 when I was 12 years old.
Just check out those front wheels and tyres, and the clothing :-)
Next was my Deavison Sprint chassis with a Parilla TT27. This was one awesome kart to drive, I absolutly loved this kart.
This is the old man sorting out the fuel at Tilbury.
This is the worst circuit I have ever driven.
Note the kart No 77. This was because the house we lived in at the time was No77. I still try and keep this number to this day and its nice as it was the number Senna used alot in his karting days.
Check out the weird front steering assembly by the king pin.
Next my Dad bought himself this Wright chassis which he had painted white. My Dad ran a Parilla TT31 with a spare TT27. You can see my kart on the floor behind the trailer. The Wright chassis steered so lightly compared to the Deavison Sprint.
The Wright / TT31 set up was rapid and was one of the most enjoyable karts I've ever driven, shame my Dad kept it as his though and didn't let me use it all the time ;-)
We now started to try sliding carbs and I learned the knack of chocking the carb. My dad made a finger guard as the day I was starting to try out this technique a guy chopped his finger off down the straight. My Mum wasnt up for my new learning experience.
This pic was taken at Buckmore Park.
My Dad chose No35 as this was the number of our new house. These number weren't used for racing, just put on for fun.
Next was my TKM which I cant seem to find any photo's of at the moment. I had the Attack model. I ran No77.
At the same time my mate had a Paul Carr Venom but he had the sidewinder version, No22.
After selling my kart due to financial reasons I bought in with my mate and for a while we ran this kart. No44 now. This is also strange as this is a numner used by Lewis Hamilton. Wonder what it is with double numbers.
This kart was later stolen out of my mates lock up which was really sad at the time.
This pic was taken at Stadium bend at Rye, Yes I know I ran quite wide. Starting to get named The Stealth now having the black chassis, Black pods and black suit.
I next bought a Birel MX32 direct from Andy Cox Racing. This was my first CIK chassis and it was gleaming. It was 6 meetings from new and in perfect condition. I then bolted a Vortex 100cc JICA motor to it. I also put on the class tyres for the JICA which if memory serves me correctly are the Bridgestone YJB's.
Although the engine sounded nice it was the most troublesome engine I ever had. The chassis and grip were something I had never experience before.
Keeping this engine and chassis I then bought a Parilla IAME 100cc Reedjet ICA engine off Ebay. When I received it the engine had Baines stamped on it. After some enquiries it was found to be Kevin Baines ICA engine. My engine builder said when re building it "This is a very nice engine, It's gonna be one rapid engine"
Well, what can I say, this is the best engine I have ever driven in my life and coupled with the chassis and tyres I was having the time of my life. Although only used on test days for fun, I was never overtaken on this kart. It was smiles the whole time.
It was now about time I got into some racing so my baby had to go. I was so sad to see this kart go. I wish to this day I had kept it.
I now bought an Easykart No82.
Now a Black lid and gloves to add to The Stealth effect.
I competed in one winter round and one summer round in I think 2008, both races at Whilton Mill. Although I thoroughly loved the racing and the circuit and meeting some fantastic people the kart just didnt do it for me. The tyres, brakes and chassis were just not right for me. I'm trying to choose my words carefully here but I hated the thing so I sold it.
I then thought sod it, I made some enquiries and found a Birel RY30 at Andy Cox Racing. This one was sold to me as being used once in the Italy or Spain in a race. I knew my last CIK Birel was the nuts so I had no problems in buying another one. It was in absolutly perfect condition. I then ordered a Parilla X-30 from Simon Wright Racing Developments. I waited an age for this engine to arrive but no joy so Simon Wright kindly sent me a Parilla KF1 engine to use whilst my X-30 was waiting to come in.
Well I loved the KF1 so much I rang Simon up and bought it off him for a staggering £2000. ouch!
As only being used for fun I put some lovely Vega white label FM tyres on it and the whole set up was awesome.
My wife then announces she is pregnant, with TWINS.
The kart was sold :-(
In 2011 when my twin boys turned 2 I bought Charlie Bruce White battered and bruised 2007 Tony Kart Viper/TKM Extreme for £260.
A new nose cone, a engine rebuild, Douglas mag rims, Mychron 4 and tons of new bolts and a proper polish, plus a re-newed licence the Tony / TKM was out for a raceday.
After returning home from my first race with the TKM and after a shower and a stupid pose the wife got a photo of me with my trophy for coming 1st .
