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Shenington TKM Clubman - 19/02/2012. Round 2
I arrived at Shenny this time alot more relaxed. I knew how to get there and I knew my way around the place. It was also nice knowing I was in the Clubman awning with Les from Jade Karts.
I unpacked the car and put the kart in the awning then waited for everyone else to arrive.
14 Entries this month and about 8 of us were in the same awning with Colin right next to us and Jade the other side.
The Clubman Class reminds me of racing as a kid where you are helping out and joking with the guys/girls you are racing against. People giving advice and making friends, this is what half of racing is all about for me, not tucking yourself away not talking to anyone then firing people off into the first corner. This whole Clubman class is a dream and Im absolutely loving it, even on the track people are racing clean and fair. anyways................
Practice.
Kart fires up straight away and I’m off, I know my way round the track now which is great, so I laughing to myself, god, karting is just so much fun, it feels so good to be in the kart again after a month. Before I knew it though the session was over, darn!
I had changed many things on the kart for this round and the kart was feeling almost perfect. It was doing what I wanted and I felt very happy. The engine was also running sweet after running it so rich last time out.
Heat 1.
Sat on the grid I found myself in front of Colin and Nick who are clearly rivals and both quicker than. I was also behind Peter who I see myself and fairly close too plus Dave was next to me again and at the moment I haven’t had the chance to really race against him. Jade was up front so I presumed although she is now carrying the 4kgs weight advantage would still get out front and clear off.
Coming into Cafe Corner I saw Jade get a tap and she spun, I then saw people swerving all over the place and a few more karts made contact. I went to the right and managed once again to avoid it all, As I rejoined Cafe I then saw Ryan fly over the inside of Cafe kerbs and back onto the track. I didn’t know who else had been taken out but I knew I had made up some places so I just nailed it.
I could see Nick, Mike and David all ahead of me scrapping and I was in clean air, although I could hear Ryan's engine note behind me.
As we passed Cafe corner again I could see Jade still out the kart near the pits and a few other karts still off, I wondered why they hadn't re-joined so I was expecting either a red flag or a re start but nothing. I just wasn’t able to gain any time on the front 3 although it was good watching them have their scrap. As I looked round Ryan was right on my bumper, he was all over me, I was trying my hardest but I couldn’t shake him off. He came beside me a few times but I managed to hold it going into Bruno and Cafe. I knew I was quicker out of Bruno up to Wilkins but Ryan was always on me by the time we were half way down Park straight.
The Pace car flag then came out but we still seemed to be going flat out, lol, this must have been to let the other re-start. After a few laps the leader then slowed but so did I, I fell asleep, why an earth didn’t I close up on the person in front of me, I bet the people behind me were shouting at me thinking what is this guy doing, lol, what a Muppet.....
At the green flag it was all go again. The front 3, Nick, Mick and David all went off and I resumed my battle with Ryan. He eventually took me into Bruno which then gave me a chance to check out his pace and lines.
What was funny was the very next lap he went in too hot into Bruno taking the kerb on the entry and exit, I was on his bumper, going into Wilkins I went to dive into the inside but he must of known he got a poor exit so defended well, I went wide hoping for the better run through Park straight but it was not too be. It was awesome chasing Ryan for the remainder of the race and I think he pulled a few tenths by the finish.
Sadly though the start claimed the places of David B, Johnny, Jess and Eddie who all failed to re-start and Peter, Jade, Darryl who managed 7and 8 laps.
I set my fastest lap, 46.05.
I have no idea how the first corner all happened but I was told the Jade's front bumper wrapped itself around her foot getting her temp stuck in the kart and David B bent a track rod and front rim.
All sorted for Heat 2 then.
Heat 2.
With Nick and Colin 1 and 2 and me third once again next to David B my plan was to hook onto the back of them and make some progress to the finish, lol, well it didn’t work.
Nick and Colin got away and every lap I just seemed to get past by someone or another. I think first it was Peter, then Jade then David W and they all just seemed to breeze past me without any problems, again nice clean racing. I even tried to hang onto them once they passed me but I just couldn’t keep up, lol.
I can’t blame anything or anyone either, the kart was handling nice, the engine was pulling nice, plus in this race I set another PB of 45.89, it’s just the others have superior karts than me, only joking, nope clearly quicker and more skilful than me, but who cares, I’m loving it anyways.
About half way through the race Nike slows, I have no idea at the time but he managed to re-thread his throttle cable back into the carb arm before getting going again and he almost past me on the line to finish, I had no idea he was there but sure was surprised to see him next to me at the line.
Back in the awning Johnny only completed 7 laps and Eddie only 1, I’m not sure why this is, plus David B gets another DNF on lap 7 this time with an engine seizure. I’m so frustrated for Dave as I want him to have an awesome weekend and I really wanna have a good battle on the track with him, maybe we shouldn't start next to each other again!! Later in the awning Les finds a cracked conrod.
new engine please, but where is it, back at the factory were told, but the Jade Kart guys were awesome and went back to their factory to get a new engine for him.
Snr Rotax Max Crash.
For once I went to go and watch some of the racing, I love watching the Jnr TKM and the gearbox, man those things are proper fast, I would love a go but don’t think I have what it takes to race one.
It was only last weekend at kimbolton the Rotax class was under fire with one of the Jnr Rotax Max being flipped down the straight and having his kart thrashed and himself being taken to hospital. I personally find both the Jnr and Snr Rotax Max classes very aggressive classes with alot of contact, I certainly will not be moving into that class, maybe it’s a lack of competiveness or I’m just afraid but I need my kart and myself to go home in good condition so I can race the following month.
My view was somewhat hindered but I saw about 6 karts leave Cafe and take the left hander into Stratford when all the karts came off together, they hit the tyres very hard and I could almost feel the thud. One competitor began waving his hands and then the ambulance came on the track. I knew it was a very hard impact but I was very surprised to see the air ambulance arrive shortly after.
We were later told over the radio that the competitor 20 year old Jake Dawson had a head injury, the air ambulance crew had put him to sleep in order for a more comfortable ride and they were taking him to to Hospital.
I would just like to take this opportunity to say Our thoughts are with you and your family and I was like all the people at the track that day wish you well and a speedy recovery and we hope to see you back racing soon.
Final.
Lining up at the grid I knew Nick, Colin, Jade, Mike and David W were all too quick for me and they would pull a gap, my only chance was if they started seriously scraping.
My race was with Peter (72) and Ryan (24).
Les was giving my some advice saying to stay to as close to Jade as possible and follow her overtakes, I laughed and said thanks but this isn’t really going to happen, I can’t stay near her. I was grateful for the advice and felt nice having someone take an interest in my race. Last time that happened was in 2008 when I saw this crazy women hanging over the wooden fence at Whilton Mill when I did what I would describe as a well classy overtake before the boot. As I drove past it was my wife punching the air waving me to go faster, I think I could hear her screaming too. She's banned from coming now as you can imagine, lol, No seriously she gave me massive support even if I didn’t come anywhere decent.
Back to the start, which was rather confusing? as we went past the start it was a re-start, one of marshals was waving frantically at who I thought was me but was in actually fact for Ryan, this went on for I believe 2 laps, what had happened was Ryan spun on his out lap but got re-started but Peter also spun on his outlap but didn’t get re-started so the Marshall was waving Ryan over a place, lol See what happens when people start next to me in the dummy grid.
The race started without incident and as predicted the front 5 got away, it was awesome to watch though with some really close dicing about. This for once did slow them down as I was able to lock onto the rear of Colin for a few laps as he was trying to get past the kart in front of him. After a few laps though the gap did close to an amount I would say I was completely out of touch.
My race was once again with Ryan(24) and it was almost a reply of Heat1.
Every lap I could hear his engine, feel his front bumper and sometimes got a glimpse of his kart almost next to me into Bruno. It was exhilarating.
On one lap I was slow getting out of Wilkins so didn’t let the kart run wide and got a nudge to hurry me up, I was trying everything, even abit of head down and throwing my body forward to get hundredths of a second. Ryan made a few attempts into Bruno but this time I managed to keep my position. A few laps to the end though Ryan took me out of Wilkins and passed me in Park Straight. Once again into Bruno Ryan decided to tease me by clipping both the entry and exit kerbs and I managed to cling onto his rear bumper but by the time we had reached Cafe he had pulled half a karts length. Ryan then pulled a few tenths a lap and I was unable to stay with him, he eventually beat me by 2 seconds, I was exhausted but on a massive high.
I had an absolutely cracking days racing and loved every second of it.
Ryan (24) now seems to be my main rival; he has beaten me in both races by 1 point in each race, so he seems to be the person for me to beat. I just hope Peter and David B can be there to mix it up in the next rounds.
Congratulations to Nick(43) for the win, Ryan(24) for 1st place N, Happy 18th Birthday for Jade and I’m well pleased for David B for having an excellent Final with a new engine and a tyre that was inflated to an unknown pressure in the dummy grid.
Shenington TKM Clubman - 22/01/2012, Round 1
I arrived at Shenington nice and early to find the pits surprisingly packed, I ended up at the far end on the grass.
Having never been to the track before I was completely cluseless to the whereabout of everything and had no previous testing for kart set up nor do I know my way round the circuit.
I originally wanted to enter the Clubman class but the MSA regs stated the minimum weight is 165kgs so I just thought sod it I will enter the Extremes so I dont have to put any extra weight on the kart. This worried me quite quickly as all the Extreme were top dollar Tony Karts with 50mm axles and brand new tyres, I just thought to myself I haven't got a hope in hell of coming anywhere.
Speaking to others in the pits it then became apparent that Shenington were running the weight to the extreme weight of 152kgs so I thought best to change. The staff there were extremely helpful and I was changed from the Extreme to the Clubman class.
Practice.
Off I go with no idea where the track goes or how the kart is going to handle. I ran the rear all the way out, the fronts all the way in, Chassis at the front lowered and 2 seat stays.
I soon realised that although the track looks very simple from an aerial view it is in fact quite a tricky circuit. I kept getting caught out on the chicane as it seems to invite you in then close up meaning I was going in way to hot. Hanger corner towards Wilkins took some practice too as I was braking then re-accelerating up to the corner, I was doing the same into Cafe corner too.
I then had an unfortunate coming together with Kart No22 in the chicane where I again went in too hot and basically took him out. My mistake and afterwards I went to him to give him my apologies. Back to the pits I felt quite worried as I felt I hadn't learnt anything, In fact I was more unsure of everything and quite nervous of the thought of now racing in a pack not knowing how the karts reacting or how much grip there will be etc.
Race1.
Disaster, DNF, Mechanical failure.
The kart didn't start and by the time it did start the rest of the pack went off without me, I absolutley nailed the kart round the track trying to get back into the starting pack but they had already started and I was a good half a lap behind. I was feeling rather pissed off that I wasn't given another short lap to catch them up so instead I used this as another practice session but after a few laps I saw the board with my number on it next to the mechanical failure board. It turned out to be a loose exhaust bracket. Easily fixed.
Race 2.
Stated 2nd, Finished 4th.
Feeling alot more confident with the layout of the track and the karts handling I was now ready to get amongst it and get on with some racing. I got to the grid and found myself 2nd on the grid. I now felt rather nervous again as I had no idea whereabout I was in terms of speed and laptimes compared to everyone else. Next to me was David and behind me was Jade.
Again the damn kart didn't start and once again I received help from others to get me going, this time the HT lead had come off. I got going and made my way to the front of the grid in second and began the rolling start.
Pole sitter got away well and I was immediately overtaken by Kart 40. From Cafe corner all the way to the next hairpin I could feel Jade pushing me along, I moved over the nearside to take a defensive line and could still feel her behind me. At the last moment possible I moved over so I could apex the corner and she nipped underneath me. We then went through the chicane and into Hanger where Kart 40 tried to overtake Kart 42 but in doing so hit his rear right bumper and sent him spinning off, by the time I had reached the same part of the track on the following lap the red flag was out and the ambulance was on the track. We stopped at the stop line hoping David and Manuel were okay.
David made his way back to the start line but no sign of Manuel.
A small discussion of the incident took place between driver's at the start line before the race was re started.
As it was yet again my kart had problems getting going but it did start after some extended pushing.
The start was abit frantic but karts 64, 40 and 43 all got away and just vansihed up ahead. I had some defending to do from Kart 72 and he almost got a pass on me into Wilkins but I held my line on the inside to keep ahead of him down the straight and into Cafe corner. From that point on I comfortably pulled away from the pack behind me at about 2 tenths per lap. I felt really comfortable with the kart and the track now and kinda having open space I was left to put in some good consitant lap times, my best being a 46.10. With no real pressure from behind and with no chance of catching the front 3 up I got down to getting some braking markers and trying different lines and really trying to learn the track and where the grip was. Towards the end my arms were pumping and my lips and throat very dry, I felt dehydrated. I then began to make a few mistakes and was counting the lap down but still trying really hard to learn the track even more.
I really enjoy screaming through Hanger and round Wilkins, the same into Cafe corner.
I know I can be quicker out of Cafe though and Im still rusty through the chicane so I know there is deffinatley time in the bag to be made up there.
I should be on the power much earlier round cafe to take advantage of the extra track width by the pits but its getting to know these visual reference points.
I finsihed 4th and I was extremely happy with this result. I also realised the track is rather grippy.
Final.
After checking everything in the pits I found the possible reason my kart wasn't starting as quickly and easily as before. I took off the air box and found the inside of the carb soaking. Now I always run my carbs slightly rich but this wasn't quite normal. I didn't have time to change the carb over so I wiped all the excess fuel/oil off and went to the pits.
I was a tad disappointed with my starting grid of 8th but that was all down to the DNF I had in race 1.
The kart started this time and around we went with Jade taking pole.
As we reached Hanger Jade slowed the pack to a snails pace to the point of the kart stalling, everyone was pinching their fuel lines to stop the engines flooding but at one point I had to get out of line and almost go along side the kart in front of me as the pace was so slow.
Off we went and immediately two karts touched into cafe corner, I made the decision to go tight and luckily avoided getting tangled up in anything. I was now really confident with the way kart was handling and I was confident I was now able to attack the circuit. The only problem with the kart was that it was snapping and breaking grip at the rear mid corner into Wilkins and Cafe but this was easy to get around as I just rolled off the throttle and used more progressive braking.
Coming out of the hairpin into Runway I was overtaken by Neil in Kart No22, I didn't make a mistake It was a nice clean pass. I knew I wanted to fight for 4th with Peter No 72 and Ryan in kart 24 as I had managed to pull a small gap from them in Race 2 so I knew I had the pace to at least be able to fight with them so I had to pass Neil asap but this wasn't to be.
I reckon I was a second a lap quicker that Neil but I just couldn't pass him. I was much much later on the brakes than him everywhere but I didn't want to risk a lunge and ruin his and my race so I kept changing my lines to get better drive out of the corners. He was always defensive at the hairpin before Runway so I was always touching his bumper down Runway but he always got a very good exit out of the chicane. After a few laps of figuring my way past and really seeing where he was fast and slow I went very late and wide into WIlkins but got a fantastic exit into Park Straight where I managed to get in the inside of Neil half way down Park Straight. As we were side by side I got a nudge pod to pod then another nudge to my back wheel, we both had a little twitch from the kart but it was a clean overtake like the one he made on me on Lap1 and I enjoy the friendly bumping, pushing and tapping, it makes the racing feel close, I mean Jade pushed me the whole way down Stratford, its great.
By this point Peter and Ryan had vanished, I knew I was able to pull a slight gap from Niel then keep it tidy to the end and this was exactly what happened.
I finished 6th and throughly enjoyed myself.
It also nice at the end to get a few handshakes and well done's etc.
It was a shame Manuel wasn't able to start, I hear his kart was a bit of a mess after the Race 2 incident, it was also sad that David had to retire on Lap 7, Im presuming this was due to the same accident in race 2, as I saw him replacing his stub axle and had a slightly bent front bumper mounting.
Well done to Jade for winning rather comfortably and well done to Jessica for making 3 places in the final as a Novice.
Looking towards Round 2.
I expect round 2 to be 100 times easier for me now I know where to park the car and sign on etc, all I have to worry about is fine tuning my set up and lap times, oh and starting the kart.
Both my carbs have been sent off to be sonic cleaned and rebuilt.
Due to time and money I wont be testing on the Saturday, I hope to make some small changes to the kart on race day, If conditions were the same I would raise the front of the chassis and remove the seat stays to try and eliminate the mid corner snapping.
My real concern for racing though is that extra hand. It seems almost impossible to go on my own due to getting the kart and trolley moved around, Its really nice to have your mate move the trolley off the pits and then come and collect you after the race and also to have in the pits to get the kart started. Its weird whenever I test I get the kart going first time everytime without any problems, but come race day I have problems getting it going, its frustrating.
I just hoping I can drag a mate along each race, lol.
I've now booked in a helping hand for Feb and I've booked myself a awning space and a mechanic for Rissington in March.
Would also like to say It was really nice to meet my fellow competitors and also some people from the Karting1 forums that day, so a big hello and thanks to David, Jessica, Ryan, Neil, Jade and Kevin W. I look forward to seeing you all again in Feb.
A video of the race taken from trackside is hopefully coming very soon.
Hope you enjoyed the read.
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