The 5th and final round of The Kart Championship at Fulbeck Kart Club started with high hopes for James who was sat in second, with a slim possibility of taking 1st – and every hope of not dropping down the order!
An Exciting Friday with Force Motorsport
Friday was an exhilarating day at the track, thanks to Jordan from Force Motorsport. He arrived with what can only be described as a ‘garage’ of new toys for us to play with, including high-performance exhausts, engines, and carbs. It was like Christmas morning for any racing enthusiast!
Jordan’s expertise and dedication were evident as he meticulously explained the potential of each component. Force Motorsport, renowned for supplying engines to none other than Lewis Hamilton during his early racing days, has a legacy of excellence, and Jordan has truly embodied that spirit since we started working with him in 2019.
Friday is always a ‘test day’ as it’s Mum who steps in as mechanic whilst Dad’s at work. Mum, who runs On Track Marketing, certainly had her hands full on Friday as with help from the team and Jordan, she diligently worked her way through the array of parts, testing and tuning to find the perfect combination. Her hard work and Jordan’s invaluable support made a significant difference, setting us up for a promising weekend of racing.
The collaboration with Force Motorsport and Jordan’s hands-on assistance provided an incredible boost, both technically and motivationally.
Qualifying
In qualifying, James was not too far off the pace but felt set up was a little off meaning he struggled to reach the top positions, ultimately settling for P6. It was a challenging start, but James remained focused and determined to improve in the upcoming heats.
Heat 1
The first heat proved to be tough as James had an outside start, which pushed him back to 10th position right off the start. However, showcasing his resilience and racing prowess, James fought hard and managed to climb back up to 8th position after some intense racing. He held onto this position, setting the stage for a better performance in the next heat.
Heat 2
In the second heat, James had a much better start, maintaining P6 through the first chicane. Feeling more comfortable with the kart, he caught up to the drivers ahead and managed to overtake several competitors. Although the gap to the leaders was too large to close, James settled into a strong 4th position, demonstrating his growing confidence and skill.
Super Heat 1
Starting in the same spot, James felt aggressive and flew around the outside into the chicane, moving up to 5th. The race saw some big battles, and two drivers ahead crashed, flinging water all over the track and causing a crash. This brought out the Battenburg flag, positioning James in second behind the two leaders. When the green flag waved, he wasn’t close enough to make a move and settled for 3rd place, a solid result given the chaotic circumstances.
Super Heat 2
The second super heat was less eventful but equally important. James had an alright start, staying in his starting position. The race was relatively uneventful as he and his teammate, Andy Dixon, pushed up towards the leading three. Although they got close, there wasn’t enough time to make any significant moves. The incredible support from the XKART team was evident throughout the weekend, providing James with the confidence and resources needed to perform at his best.
Final
The final race was where James truly shined. An aggressive start saw him move up to 2nd from 3rd. He tried pushing away with the leader until he was overtaken but managed to maintain a gap. Mid-race, James executed a smart, well-timed, and aggressive move into the hairpin, gaining a place as his competitor ended up off the track. Although he was overtaken by another driver before the finish, they had been awarded an in race penalty, allowing James to secure 2nd place.
Post-Race Drama
Despite no on-track warnings or penalties during the race, James was called into the stewards’ office after the race and given a 5-second penalty for “not leaving racing room.” This penalty stripped him of his 2nd place trophy, leaving the team devastated. Believing the move was hard but fair, they decided to protest the penalty. After a thorough 2-hour review and appeal, the penalty was revoked, and James’s 2nd place was reinstated, bringing immense relief and joy to the team.
Incredible Team Support
Throughout the weekend, the support from the XKART team was nothing short of incredible. Their dedication and expertise provided James with the confidence and resources to tackle each challenge head-on. The team’s unwavering commitment played a crucial role in James’s performance, helping him navigate the highs and lows of the competition with resilience and determination.