On my way to a relatively big race, and reading this has changed my perspective on race starts. We’re running some reverse-grid heats too, so I’m hoping for all the chaos I can get😎
I qualified 8th. Didn’t get a great feeling of the kart, coming from two completely wet practice heats. This meant that I would start 8th in the first heat, and on pole for the second heat (because top 8 is running a reverse grid format).
I was on fire at the start, and quickly made my way to the inside, thus making up about 4 places after avoiding some carnage. I was though too aggressive and picked the wrong fights, running me wide and outside the clean line. All the marbles on my tires were now sending me further down the order, as I was punted around by everyone. This meant finishing 12th in the first heat.
Second heat I started poke, aced the start and didn’t have to block all that much in the first corner. I had a great feeling and was very confident. I was not the quickest guy on track, and around lap 5 i got overtaken by two faster drivers. I hooked onto them and tried my best to learn and analyse how to get quicker around the track, but I pushed too hard for one corner and fell outside their slipstream. One guy behind me was catching up and got in my slipstream, and in the third to last corner of the last lap I felt he was too close for comfort and I slammed the door in the braking zone. He punted me straight off and sent me onto the grass.
Finished 10th. Such a shame, as everything was going to plan perfectly.
Final I started 7th and held my place all the way throughout, but penalties for a driver in front promoted me to 6th.
I wasn’t satisfied with the final as I felt the speed was lacking towards the end. My kart was a bit hard to drive, maybe because the rear could be gripping up as the tires went hotter.
A lot learned. A lot to learn. Looking forward to giving it my all next weekend again 😎
I’m not used to driving under grippy conditions, so whenever we are 100+ karts on track with grippy tires on a sunny day, I tend to loose a bit of pace as the track grips up. I’ve only ever raced once internationally, at Le Mans IWF22. I found it difficult to adapt to driving under the grippy(er) conditions, so I believe that I need to look inward to find the missing tenths. Problem is, that I only get the chance to practise in those grippy conditions at sunny races with many competitors.
Looking to drive one of the Iame Benelux races in Genk in July, where I hopefully can improve my driving and experiment amongst the toughest drivers.
On my way to a relatively big race, and reading this has changed my perspective on race starts. We’re running some reverse-grid heats too, so I’m hoping for all the chaos I can get😎
Nice💪💪. Where are you racing Alex?
Just finished off in Rødby, Denmark🏎️💨
How did it go?
I qualified 8th. Didn’t get a great feeling of the kart, coming from two completely wet practice heats. This meant that I would start 8th in the first heat, and on pole for the second heat (because top 8 is running a reverse grid format).
I was on fire at the start, and quickly made my way to the inside, thus making up about 4 places after avoiding some carnage. I was though too aggressive and picked the wrong fights, running me wide and outside the clean line. All the marbles on my tires were now sending me further down the order, as I was punted around by everyone. This meant finishing 12th in the first heat.
Second heat I started poke, aced the start and didn’t have to block all that much in the first corner. I had a great feeling and was very confident. I was not the quickest guy on track, and around lap 5 i got overtaken by two faster drivers. I hooked onto them and tried my best to learn and analyse how to get quicker around the track, but I pushed too hard for one corner and fell outside their slipstream. One guy behind me was catching up and got in my slipstream, and in the third to last corner of the last lap I felt he was too close for comfort and I slammed the door in the braking zone. He punted me straight off and sent me onto the grass.
Finished 10th. Such a shame, as everything was going to plan perfectly.
Final I started 7th and held my place all the way throughout, but penalties for a driver in front promoted me to 6th.
I wasn’t satisfied with the final as I felt the speed was lacking towards the end. My kart was a bit hard to drive, maybe because the rear could be gripping up as the tires went hotter.
A lot learned. A lot to learn. Looking forward to giving it my all next weekend again 😎
Yeah, plenty learned there! If the kart isn't right again, do you think you can get the best result the kart can deliver?
I’m not used to driving under grippy conditions, so whenever we are 100+ karts on track with grippy tires on a sunny day, I tend to loose a bit of pace as the track grips up. I’ve only ever raced once internationally, at Le Mans IWF22. I found it difficult to adapt to driving under the grippy(er) conditions, so I believe that I need to look inward to find the missing tenths. Problem is, that I only get the chance to practise in those grippy conditions at sunny races with many competitors.
Looking to drive one of the Iame Benelux races in Genk in July, where I hopefully can improve my driving and experiment amongst the toughest drivers.