Hooton Sept 2010

After a 2 month gap from being at Hooton, a local race seemed an easier prospect. After a full rebuild on the kart and a new seat in a new position. We found our standard set up changes did not work as usual due to a change in weight distribution, and a lighter kart that needed more lead. Jack still qualified 6th in timed qualifying and managed to get consistent results in the heats, while we got our heads around the set up. Jack started 9th and finished 6th in the final, which was a solid weekend. Jack also learned to his cost the need to defend on the last lap in the final and not lose places. Overall not a bad result after chasing our tails on set up and some more points for the championship.

3 sisters Aug

Jack found good pace on the Sat practice, in some sessions looking to be very quick. Race day saw Jack with good pace, although inexperience of running with the front train in the heats, saw a few mistakes. After 2 karts crashed in front of Jack in the opening laps of the final, putting Jack down the order in the final, he finished 17th. Overall lots of promise and a result will arrive soon, when everything comes togeather.

Super 1 GYG

GYG and Jack's first round of Super 1. We got to GYG for the Friday practice with zero expectations. The only goals, to get experience and remove any nerves ready for 2011. Jack found a few other karts to race with similar pace.....at the back!
Everyone involved learned a lot and enjoyed competing in a professional well organised event.
Jack got up to 24th in the final and then had a none finish after a collision and a puncture. Disappointing with just 2 laps to go, although Jack enjoyed it and wants to do more and get experience and improve.

Wigan July

Jack tested for a few days leading up to Wigan(MBKC). Which was a little much with a race weekend, 4 days karting! Although it will not harm his stamina. On race day Jack drove ok, although did not do the final after being ill, proberbly through tiredness and a slight bug. He worked with Fusion motorsport over the weekend and still enjoyed the experience. Now it is time for a rest for a couple of weeks, before Super 1 at GYG. This will be Jack's first national event and will be solely a learning weekend in preperation for 2011.

GYG Dragon Masters

We headed to Wales for the typical wet, then dry, then wet weather. Sat practice went ok in ever changaing conditions. Some solid heats and 15th on the grid in the A final was fine. A great start and opening few laps, got Jack as high as sixth. He finished 7th in a highly competitive field of 42 karts and was running with the main train. Well done Jack.

Hooton Park July 2010

Warm weather at Hooton made for a good weekend. Jack had tested at PFI on the Friday and quickly found his stride at Hooton on the Saturday morning. A better weekend for Jack's mechanic's and front running pace all weekend, produced a solid performance all round. Although Jack was a little disappointed as he wants to now move up a gear and he had lots of family and friends supporting him at Hooton.

Heat 1 - 2nd
Heat 2 - 7th
Heat 3 - 4th and fastest lap

Final - 5th and new personal best of 41.77s. Jack ran with the front train and just missed out on a trophy. Although he improved by being a true front runner all weekend. Although we where more than pleased with his effort. He really is his harshest critic!

Mid Season Review 2010 - Why karting?

We started the year with a plan to do more races locally and to move up the grid, this has been achieved. Jack has improved noticeably and now gives ever improving feedback on issues and the ideal set up. As you would expect it has not been plain sailing, although it has been good.
Notable achievements: include a maiden placed trophy, a podium(2nd) and a first fastest lap in a heat. The most pleasing aspect is his acceptance and application of mental preperation and improved driving technique. These are key factors and foundations for moving onto a new level in the next 6 months.
Most importantly Jack loves karting, although his reasons are changing as his competitive nature is now surfacing. I seem to still be learning lots and I am trying hard to make sure everything is right and we all strive to be the best we can be, with no mistakes. Why do we kart? We do not have any day dreams about F1. I want to instill an attitude that hard work makes you successful, you never give up and dedication and a strong mind can take you anywhere. If Jack learns those lessons, he can apply them to whatever he chooses to do in life. Enough on the preaching...

Our plans are to get in lots of races and do a round or two of Super 1, in preperation for next year. Our only objective is to improve a little everytime we go out. Thus, the summer will be important with lots of racing, practice and coaching. Thanks for reading the blog, Jack loves to ask about how many visits he gets.

Wigan MBKC June

Lovely sunny weather was the order all weekend. Jack did consistent times on Sat, in very grippy conditions. After realising the crank was out on our best motor, we changed engines after heat 1 and found 4 tenths. Heat 3 was not great as a crash on the warm up lap, bent the rear axle. We ended up 21st for the final, Jack did some great overtaking and consistent laps and moved up the order 10 places in 12 laps.
11th overall and a solid best lap, just a few tenths off the pace was good. It was a another example of Jack driving well and the mistakes being made by his lead mechanic. Although thankfully they are not the same mistakes..... Another good result seems not too far away if everything comes togeather. Overall a fun weekend, with Jack particularly enjoying the water fights with his team mates in Focus motorsport. Also thanks to Andy of Focus, a great little family team offering good value.

New race van

We have purchased a larger, newer race van. We have decided on a Merc Sprinter again and gone for a LWB this time. We have purchased the van and we are having it converted to the above spec. This will give us a bit more room and comfort if we decide to stay over at the track.

GYG June 2010

We had a good Sat practice. And qualified 7th in our group. Then heat 1, we lasted 2 laps due to a carb. Then heat 2, we lasted 1 lap due to binding brakes due to lose axle carriers. 30th and last for the final. Jack drove a good race and got 12 places and finished 18th. It was a shame for Jack, as his mechanic had an off weekend.

Jack's first podium - 2nd at Hooton Park's June 2010 Cheshire Oaks Meeting

Jack got second place and his first podium finish at Hooton Park. After a 2nd and 9th in the heats, Jack lined up 5th for the final. The unique standing starts worked for Jack, with rapid get aways each time. A downpour saw a wet final and Jack drove very well for second. Another trophy and another milestone achieved. Jack was rightly pleased and now wants more...

18th May 2010 - Happy Birthday Jack !

Happy Birthday Jack - 10 today !

Hooton May 2010 - 5th and his first fastest lap in Heat 2

After recent kart problems now identified and solved, we felt Jack's improved driving would shine. A 4th, 3rd and 5th in the heats and fastest lap in heat 2 showed an improvement in his speed. Jack was also within a few 10th's of the pace or right on the pace all weekend. A solid final saw 5th place and consolidates Jack's recent step up in skill and is rewarded by a good standing in the club championship.

More pics from Hooton

Wigan April 2010 - Challenging weekend

Anyone, whom has karted for a while knows that every now and then, you get a weekend that just does not work out. At Wigan last weekend a series of failures including bad fuel, suspect oil, snaped fly wheel springs, dumping carbs all ensured we could not compete as normal. Jack drove well, although had a slow kart and struggled for pace. 11th place on the grid for the final and then a retirement ended a harsh weekend. Although Jack managed his fustrations excellently and worked on his lines to make the best of what he had. An important lesson - Sometimes things go wrong and he never once said "It's not fair.....". He got an important lesson. Always an upside!

Our first race van - affectionately known as Jalopy

Early pic of Jack before MSA racing started

Hooton April 2010

After recent practice sessions over the Easter holidays and Jacks commitment to improve; Jack was confident travelling to Hooton Park in Ellesmere Port. His pace was strong all weekend typically in the top few of the fastest laps and he ran with the leading train of karts all weekend. 7th, 5th and 4th in the heats was consistent.
7th in the final was reasonable, although Jack felt his speed could of delivered a higher position and wants to work on his race craft to turn his improved speed into better results. We thought Jack did excellent and showed a significant improvement in his driving. Well done!

MBKC 28th March 2010 Rd 3

Sat practice was in windy, although sunny weather. The day went well and Jack was hopeful for a fun Sunday race day. In heat one Jack set the 6th fastest time in a competitive field and his ever improving pace, should yield beter results once the race craft catches up. 13th place in the final with an inconsistent carb was fine.

GYG March 21st

We raced GYG for the first time since last summer. 16th was the result in the final and some experience that should deliver a stronger result next month.

Hooton March 2010

After a disjointed Feb and very little racing and practice since the last race at Hooton in Feb. We headed to Hooton Park and Jack got back to racing with a solid 7th place.

5th at Hooton Park Feb 2010

Jack got a well earned 5th place at Hooton yesterday. After two 7th places in the heats and 6th on the grid for the final. Good consistent driving got Jack another trophy and 5th place in the final.

MBKC 2009 Presentation evening - 2nd in the Invitation Series for Jack

Jack enjoyed his first black tie presenation evening of his home club - MBKC. It was a fantastic event and Jack was presented his trophy by Nathan Freke the new Ginetta British Champion. (More professional pics copy and paste the below url)

http://www.paul-griffiths.net/Motorsport/Karts/MBKC-Presentations/10967665_sKZLp#766641424_Nihgr

Durham and Yorkshire Kart Club - DYKC - Closed

We are saddened by the end of the DYKC, we enjoyed racing at Teesside under the DYKC banner. Jack and I found the club friendly, professional and well organised. It's such a shame the club no longer has a circuit and we will miss the atmosphere and racing next year.

10 ways to save money cadet karting

Karting is an expensive hobby compared to many sports for children. Over the last few years, we could of spent money a little more wisely and hopefully this post might share some of our mistakes and lessons learned.

1. Safety equipment - Do not save money here, buy the best!

2. Chassis - When starting out we had an old Zip rolling chassis and comer S60. We purchased a new chassis before we could get the best out of it. In hindsight, it would of made more sense to keep the old one and get it on a flat bed and replace the usual bolts and bearings. Make sure you check the alignment regularly, we purchase new frames now, as we feel Jack can get the benefit.

3. Seat - Get a seat that fits like a glove from the start. We used what was on the kart already and Jack would rattle around in the seat as it was much too big. As soon as we put in a second hand seat for £15 that fitted he went over a second faster the same day.

4. Engines - Whilst practicing we should of stayed with an unsealed s60 longer. Jack was not old enough to race and I used to rebuild the motor myself. The extra w60 performance made a slight difference, as all the time was in the pilot at first.

5. Race engines - If you can afford a new blueprinted engine, get one at the outset of racing, from a recognised engine builder i.e. John Davies of Force Motorsport. We bought far too many engines (We had 7 at one point and Jack was still on novice plates). In the end I sold all but one of the original batch and bought two good engines new and paid a reasonable amount and we just use 3 motors.

6. Tyres - Do not buy new rubber more than a couple of times a year until you are within 1 second of the front runners. This season we average 10 meetings per set of tyres, next year we might reduce that to a new set every 5 meetings.

7. Lead - If you need weight on, get it on asap. The tyres and frames are designed to work with around 100 kg on, the kart will feel and handle different and you are not doing yourself or pilot any favours running light. Jack went quicker with weight on nearly straight away as the kart was more balanced.

8. Maintance - If you want to spend money on anything, get the carb rekitted often and keep the motor fresh - better value than tyres, race fuel etc.

9. Learn about setup properly - This can be hard if you are new to the sport and you often hear conflicting ideas etc. Although do your best to learn and possibly pay a decent team that runs and wins with your chassis to help you for one day to get the basics - Great ROI on speed / investment. We used Scott Walker of SAS and still use a lot of what we learned.

10. Coaching - If you have never sat in a real kart(I do not mean hired twin engine pro karts) get some coaching for your child or get some books and learn the basics. We have used Terence Dove of Evenflow and Mr. T has a great way of getting things across to kids. I had my first kart at 10 and raced on and off until my early twenties, although recently I only drive a kart now and then. I was in Spain a few weeks ago and had a go in a very quick kart. It always gives me refreshed perspective and makes me far more relaxed with Jack, it is tiring, physical and demanding(and fun). Many parents seem to miss this point, be patient and have a go in one if you can - you will not be as pushy and will have more empathy for the pilot - walk the talk! We now have a great solely dedicated coach in Chris Taylor and it works great if you get the right individual. Although most people seem to think because they can drive a car and watch F1, they can teach their child to drive a kart quick!

Best value - Seat time for the pilot is the best way to spend your pounds!

Obviously there are lots more things we have learned along the way. It is still possible to win on a tight budget, although not non exsistant. If a smart Dad truely understands setting up the kart chassis and engine. He makes sure it is prepared to the highest standards and has a pilot that has some talent, you can get results. One such example is lad and dad outfit Scott and Jake Walker.

Although the best advice I had was off John Hoyle of JKH - " You do need to spend a certain amount to be competitive, although any more than that amount is wasted".

New cadet kart chassis for 2010 - Zip Storm - no. 510

We decided it was time to replace our 2009 zip storm cadet kart (no.380), although we did think to wait, as the new homogation will happen in 1 year(2011) and that will require another new frame. After much consideration on the Wright kart or possibly a Tony Kart, we decided to stay with a Storm. We ordered a part spec Storm from Zip North and swapped over many of our parts i.e. seat, axles, steering wheel, floor trays etc. This saved some money and made the new frame more econmical and justified updating a perfectly good 09 frame for just a few hundred pounds (Relatively, this is karting !), after selling a full rolling chassis and engine.

The kart is nearly identical to our previous one (Red frame and red body work). The main difference is we have fitted the new castor kit ready for 2010. Our reasoning to stay on the zip was as follows:

- Jack wanted another Storm
- We want consistency for Jack
- We have loads of spares
- We like the ease of the setting it up
- They are still winning
- Ian Shaw of Zip North has given great service with easy parts availability

The Wright and Tont kart seem excellent cadet karts, although sometimes better the devil you know!

Wigan 29th Nov 2009 - Invitation series decider - Jack misses out after hospital check up!

Jack headed to Wigan leading the invitation series by 14 points. Jack needed just a 3rd and 4th within the invitation drivers to win the series.

Jack started heat 1 and got knocked off at the end of the straight, a little winded -the medics sent him to Wigan hospital to be checked out, the right decision. Although this cost him points as he missed two heats. After getting the all clear, Jack wanted to drive.

He had to start 34th and last off the back of the grid in the final. After a storming drive in torrent conditions, he climbed up to 18th. This placed him second in the invitation series in the final. This means the series is tied for first place between Jack and one of his friends Harvey Brown. Harvey takes the title on count back and Jack is second. Well done Harvey. Jack was disappointed although will still be invited to the black tie dinner in January to be presented with a trophy. Jack showed great courage by ending up in A and E, then still wanting to drive and putting in a great effort in the final; with a never say die attitude. I always try not to add too much "rose coloured glasses" hoopla into the blog posts, although we where especially proud of him last Sunday!

Round up 2009 and plans for 2010

WHAT A YEAR!

Jack completed his first race in Feb 09 and has improved all the time since. The first few races and winning novice trophies really caught his imagination and gave him a lot of satisfaction and pride. He joined SAS motorsport and made new friends and being in a team got Jack and I up to speed faster.

Then once we moved onto the full yellow plates it became apparent a lot of hard work was needed by both of us to move up the grid. This made for a few character building races mid season and he had to push on, even when things seemed to not run our way. A great lesson in life for a 9 year old. Jack has had more than his fair share of knocks whilst karting, as a friend Dave Taylor said "More hits than Take That", this was the biggest satisfaction for myself, the way he kept bouncing back and still wanted to race.

After a summer rest break we decided a new approach was needed. This involved traveling further a field and having a more dedicated one to one approach for Jack to start our push up the grid. This meant we ran independently and got a friend involved called Chris Taylor. Chris has many years experience and started as a cadet when 8 years old like Jack. Chris's experience and previous success added a missing link to our family run team. We also keep reminding ourselves karting is supposed to be fun!

Over the last few months Jack has improved a lot, although more importantly enjoys karting more and is starting to show signs that this consuming sport is becoming a real passion. He now gets me up on non race weekends to go and practice! Chris Taylor must take significant credit for helping Jack improve, although obviously Jack has worked really hard and seems to try harder and harder all the time to get better. As he is a bit of a Magpie and likes the shiny trophies....

The plans for next year include travelling to new tracks and possibly competing in the Northern Karting Federation, Motors TV challenge at DYKC at Teesside, and completing in MBKC(Manchester and Buxton Kart Club) championship. As the year progresses we will look to race regularly in large competitive grids at Shenington, Whilton Mill, Kimbolton and PFI.

Objectives for Jack (He came up with one of the below....yes number 1):

1. Have Fun
2. Look to get a little bit better every time he gets in the seat
3. Be sporting and show a mature responsible attitude

Summary - Karting costs a lot in time and money, although it is truly a unique sport. Jack has at least 3 and potentially 4 seasons left in cadets, I think I will have a lot more grey hair by then, although it really has been a great year for everyone. Last week Jack had to prepare and present a presentaion in school for homework. He did not have to think about the subject, the feedback was that he presented well and with confidence and I feel this is because he feels karting is "his" sport. That makes all the high's, challenges, sweat, tears and money totally worthwhile.

A big thank you to all whom have helped one way or another! We have one or possibly two races left in 2009. Then it will be a welcome rest break and some practice to get ready for another years fun in 2010.

Steve

Teesside 15th Nov 09

We enjoy visiting Teesside and it was our third visit and we felt the previous races would pay off. Sat practice went well and Jack felt confident he could have a good meeting.

The heats showed an improvement in Jack's starts and opening laps which has helped him progress and get better results. Consistent finishes in the heats of 7th, 7th and 8th gave Jack 5th place on the grid for the final.

Jack drove a more mature race in the final and finshed 5th his best result up to this point.

Hooton Park Nov 8th 2009

Jack started this year doing his first ever race at Hooton Park as a novice. The last Hooton club meeting of 2009 rounded out the Cheshire kart clubs season and even on a cold and wet Nov the club got 25 entries.

Sat practice went well and Jack seems very comfortable in wet / damp conditions and had good pace all weekend.

Final 9th place.

A solid weekend and Jacks best result at Hooton.