So after a good start in his first Club2000 race in August, Sam took part in 3 more races in the back end of 2016. This meant we raced in 4 of 12 rounds and ended 41st of a total of 59 competitors in the year. This was us dipping a toe into the world of kart racing before going for a full season in 2017.
There were highs and lows in all three races. I’ve neglected the updates here until now but I will try and capture the key bits:
September Race: Starting 19th of 20 starters in Heat 1 Sam got round in one piece, gaining one place after 88 went off but finished 19th after Olly got round him on the last lap. In Heat 4 Sam had a blinding start moving from 18th and last on the grid to 13th in the first few corners only to lose all but one of them at the chequered flag. Sam’s fastest lap of 49.57s compares to the heat fastest of 46.69s, so much progress made but more yet to do. Heat 5 had Sam finish 15th after 3 places were gained on lap 1 and held. Sam lined up for the B Final in 8th of 12 starters. Weather was going to be the decider and more importantly tyre choice. The race started dry and most of the field started on slicks. The rain came and Sam started to struggle, more rain in the final laps saw everyone spinning except the two drivers starting on inters/wets. Sam finished in 11th.
October Race: A wet one, not Sam’s favoured conditions. In Heat 1 he went from 18th to 15th on lap 1 but lost those places again by the finish. Heat 2, same again, great gains on lap one but a spin on lap six undid all the good work. That took it out of Sam, he was so annoyed with himself I worried he wouldn’t get back at it. Heat 4 is best forgotten, 16th to dead last enough said. The B Final was pretty much a repeat of Heat 4. Time for home!
November Race: Having completed three race meetings successfully Sam ditched his Novice plates meaning now he would be fully in the mix including in the reverse grid Heat where he would start in P2. He managed to hold a top 5 place for a good few laps but trying too hard undid things again. I can’t remember the other Heats really but the B Final was good for Sam, starting in 12th of 14 and finishing 7. It would have been 6th but having battled with Tyler (24) for several laps, Sam got a slow exit on the last corner and was taken on the line. Great racing boys!
We didn’t race in December, Sam choosing instead to play football for Cambourne FC U9s in a cup match. I was very proud to see Sam choose to support his teammates that day.
So, on into 2017. Will post a summary of the January meeting soon…