Aug 26, 2022 | Blog, 2022, Team HARD | XKart Scholarship
So Team Hard have a karting division and we suggested to James that he have a go.
No pressure. No expectations. Just get in a kart and do his thing.
It was very last minute that we decided to take part in the scholarship after seeing an advert for it on Facebook.
James’s confidence often gets in the way of doing things like this, so I arranged for his friend Haydn to join us on track. Team Karting have a special offer on at the moment. Its a double time offer where you get 2 x 20 minute sessions on track for just £29.99, so yesterday we headed over there.
The boys got on track with a couple of others and were blasting around in no time. Haydn was getting better each lap which was great to see. James had a bit of fun in the first session. It was obvious he was starting to take things more seriously in the second session and really focused on getting his lap times down.
Once they’d completed their session, I treated them to lunch. It only cost me £5.50 for a hotdog/burger/pizza, chips and a drink. The food selection was impressive including waffles and ice creams on top of the hot food offering. Lucy had a chicken burger, I had the chicken without the bread. James had a hot dog and Haydn a burger.
THE TEAM HARD KARTING SCHOLARSHIP
My understanding of the Team Hard Scholarship is that the top half of the drivers at Team Karting in Rochdale are progressed into the second phase at Whilton Mill. I gather that the top 50% of the drivers at Rochdale are those that are consistent. Not necessarily the fastest lap, but consistently quick ones. James achieved consistent 28 second laps with his fasted being 28.08.
PHASE 2
If selected, phase two is where James will participate in teambuilding exercises. Team Hard are putting on sponsorship workshops and they are going to judge the drivers on not only their speed, but mechanical understanding and race craft. James will have to take part in team building exercises and he undergo fitness assessments. Team Hard are also putting on sponsorship workshops to encourage the children to reach out to local companies for support in their journeys.
In theory, James can do well in this section of the scholarship. If anything, it is likely to be his confidence that will hold him back.
PHASE 3
The lucky few chosen from Whilton Mill will then be invited to Team Hard HQ where they will meet some X-Kart drivers and the top team. They’ll be interviewed and judged on their overall personality, fitness and how mouldable they would be. Obviously they’d need to have given a good performance in the karts at Whilton Mill., but I think the winner will be the complete package.
Good Luck to all the participants.