A Weekend of Learning and Support at Fulbeck
Hey karting fans, it’s James here! This past weekend, I had an amazing time at the Fulbeck Kart Club, a crucial part of my prep for the 2024 karting season. Not only was it great seat time for me, but I was also there to support my friend Emily, who’s leading her championship.
Relaxed Practice Sessions and Valuable Track Time
Saturday’s Slow Pace: A Welcome Change
Saturday at Fulbeck was a bit different than usual. Rookie Racing were there, so things were slower, but in a good way. It made for a stress-free day, which was quite nice for a change.
Mum’s New Skills from an Alfano Training Course
Mum recently completed an Alfano training course, and this weekend was perfect for putting those new skills into action. We started off getting comfortable with the track, and then she had Dad tweaking the kart setup for better performance.
Swapping Karts: Learning from Different Experiences
XKART vs OTK: A Swap with Emily
In the last practice session, Emily and I switched karts. I’m used to my XKART, and she rides an OTK. No setup changes were made, but I found her OTK pretty challenging to handle. Emily, on the other hand, adapted well to my XKART, despite finding my setup a bit difficult.
photos (c) Josh East Photography
Race Day: Implementing Changes and Achieving Speed
Morning Practice: Top Speeds in Cold Conditions
Mum’s overnight setup changes were spot on. During morning practice, I was the quickest by two-tenths. The XKART handled brilliantly in the cold conditions, attracting attention from other drivers.
Heat 1: Dominating from P6 to P1
My first lap in Heat 1 was solid, propelling me from P6 to the lead and I managed to maintain a significant gap throughout.
Heat 2: A Fight from P3 to P2
Heat 2 was a bit tougher. I briefly dropped to P4 as Emily came through, but managed to fight my way back through and up to P2 with consistently fastest laps.
The Final: A Battle with Worn Tyres
Starting on pole in the final, Emily and I quickly took the lead. Despite my tyres being worn out from previous races, I’m proud of how I performed, finishing strong.
A Step Closer to a Dream Helmet
The best part? Mum’s contributing towards a custom-painted helmet she’s been teasing me about all season. A few more podium finishes, and I’ll be ordering it!
Can’t wait to apply everything I’ve learned this weekend to future races. Fulbeck, you’ve been awesome! 🏁🏎️💨
Force Motorsport – My chosen Rotax engine supplier for the 2024 season
Thanks again Jordan, James and team.
The waft was once again absolutely outrageous.