WMKC18 Round 1
The first round of the 2018 season was upon us, and with the new AIRkart in hand, we were looking good. 33 drivers were entered in one of the best grids in terms of quality that I had ever seen.
PRACTICE
The first session was dry everywhere except the last and first corner. This gave us a real chance to test the kart against some of the country's best. We spent the session behind two of Britain's best drivers, and we were keeping up. The kart was on fire. Unfortunately the MyChron timing was not working for us in this session but we think we were probably around the 48 second mark. The next few sessions were hit by torrential downpours, and we had a few issues preventing us from really testing the kart in the wet against the strong field. However, in the final session, we sorted the problems and the kart was ballistic yet again. We got down to a 57.63, which was right up at the top of the times in comparison to the other drivers. We were looking really good for race day tomorrow.
PRACTICE
The first session was dry everywhere except the last and first corner. This gave us a real chance to test the kart against some of the country's best. We spent the session behind two of Britain's best drivers, and we were keeping up. The kart was on fire. Unfortunately the MyChron timing was not working for us in this session but we think we were probably around the 48 second mark. The next few sessions were hit by torrential downpours, and we had a few issues preventing us from really testing the kart in the wet against the strong field. However, in the final session, we sorted the problems and the kart was ballistic yet again. We got down to a 57.63, which was right up at the top of the times in comparison to the other drivers. We were looking really good for race day tomorrow.
HEAT 1
For the first heat of the season, I started 2nd on the grid of 33. The track was still greasy, and I opted for the full wet option in contrast to some people's worn wets (our equivalent of intermediates). This proved to be a great choice, as on the opening lap I had much more grip and traction than the other drivers, as I darted into the lead and pulled a gap of around 4 seconds. Towards the end of the race, I started to lose pace a little as the track was drying out, favouring the worn wets, and I was under pressure. However, I managed to make no mistakes and take my first victory at Whilton Mill. With such a big grid, it was an insane result, and it really showed that our AIRkart testing in similar conditions had payed off.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 1 RESULTS
FINISHED: 1ST / 33 (+1) LAPTIME: 56.35 (9TH, +0.73) PERSONAL SCORE: 10/10
For the first heat of the season, I started 2nd on the grid of 33. The track was still greasy, and I opted for the full wet option in contrast to some people's worn wets (our equivalent of intermediates). This proved to be a great choice, as on the opening lap I had much more grip and traction than the other drivers, as I darted into the lead and pulled a gap of around 4 seconds. Towards the end of the race, I started to lose pace a little as the track was drying out, favouring the worn wets, and I was under pressure. However, I managed to make no mistakes and take my first victory at Whilton Mill. With such a big grid, it was an insane result, and it really showed that our AIRkart testing in similar conditions had payed off.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 1 RESULTS
FINISHED: 1ST / 33 (+1) LAPTIME: 56.35 (9TH, +0.73) PERSONAL SCORE: 10/10
HEAT 2
Still on a high from the first heat, I entered the second race of the season starting 19th. The track was now almost dry, with the exception of turn 2. This was a crazy race however, as I was in a battle or trying to avoid contact and crashes on every lap except the last where I could put in a half decent laptime. The carnage meant that I could only gain one position to finish 18th, but the win in heat 1 was carrying me to a potential brilliant grid slot for the final.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 2 RESULTS
FINISHED: 18TH / 33 (+1) LAPTIME: 46.50 (8TH, +0.33) SCORE: 6/10
Still on a high from the first heat, I entered the second race of the season starting 19th. The track was now almost dry, with the exception of turn 2. This was a crazy race however, as I was in a battle or trying to avoid contact and crashes on every lap except the last where I could put in a half decent laptime. The carnage meant that I could only gain one position to finish 18th, but the win in heat 1 was carrying me to a potential brilliant grid slot for the final.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 2 RESULTS
FINISHED: 18TH / 33 (+1) LAPTIME: 46.50 (8TH, +0.33) SCORE: 6/10
HEAT 3
Heat 3 was another crazy race. I started 31st, with a track now completely dry. However, due to it being wet for a while beforehand, there was no rubber on the circuit meaning laptimes were not overly eye-catching. I did manage to fight through all of the carnage to finish in 15th. Not bad from the back of the grid! This would secure us a top 10 start for the final.
CLICK HERE FOR HEAT 3 RESULTS
FINISHED: 15TH / 33 (+16) LAPTIME: 45.54 (5TH, +0.27) PERSONAL SCORE: 8/10
FINAL
We knew that the Heat 1 win would serve us well for the final, but we didn't think it would put us 5th! In front of us, multiple winners of Kartmasters and high Super One / British championship finishers, with plenty behind too, but I was right at the front with them. It felt great. The final was in the dark, and I struggled early onto gauge general things like braking points as it was hard to adjust. I tried to hang it round the outside on the first lap at the top of the hill, but completely missed my braking point and went off, onto the grass. I hadn't driven in the dark before, and it clearly showed here, but I had to deal with what had happened and move on. I dropped down to 32nd and despite making a few minors errors out of frustration, I managed to fight back to 17th, which wasn't too bad. I wasn't phased however, as the day had gone brilliantly, with a victory, and qualifying right up with some of the best drivers the country has ever seen.
We knew that the Heat 1 win would serve us well for the final, but we didn't think it would put us 5th! In front of us, multiple winners of Kartmasters and high Super One / British championship finishers, with plenty behind too, but I was right at the front with them. It felt great. The final was in the dark, and I struggled early onto gauge general things like braking points as it was hard to adjust. I tried to hang it round the outside on the first lap at the top of the hill, but completely missed my braking point and went off, onto the grass. I hadn't driven in the dark before, and it clearly showed here, but I had to deal with what had happened and move on. I dropped down to 32nd and despite making a few minors errors out of frustration, I managed to fight back to 17th, which wasn't too bad. I wasn't phased however, as the day had gone brilliantly, with a victory, and qualifying right up with some of the best drivers the country has ever seen.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FINAL RESULTS
FINISHED: 17TH / 33 (-12) LAPTIME: 45.83 (10TH, +0.20) PERSONAL SCORE: 6/10
FINISHED: 17TH / 33 (-12) LAPTIME: 45.83 (10TH, +0.20) PERSONAL SCORE: 6/10
This left me 4th in the championship, just 5 points off 2nd. This was a great base for the rest of the season as there was plenty of opportunity for me to succeed with the great new AIRkart and the help from AIR Motorsport. I can't wait to get back out, as the first round exceeded my expectations. Thanks to Alex and my Dad for all the help this weekend, and for the rest of my family for coming to watch and supporting me.
CLICK HERE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE
ROUND 2: 25TH FEBRUARY
