Karting Corner

1 - Karting on Ice

There I was, sitting at home trying to mind my own business when Malcolm Harvey Ross phoned: 'How would you like to race a kart on ice?' Malcolm had arranged an evening's racing at Bracknell ice rink but only had 10 entries. Step forward Southern Car Club and before you know it there were 24.

When we arrived, we found that they could only run 5 teams - there were 6 cars and they liked (needed) to keep one as a spare. There were actually 4 cars and 2 pieces of scrap iron, more of which later. The race was two 50 minutes sessions with driver changes every 10 laps. Safety equipment was basic - helmets - and if you can't find one that fits, try the ice hockey ones.

The track was an oval laid out on the ice with cones, each teams' laps being logged by a marshal (on skates) with a hand held counter.

As soon as leg one got under way, it became obvious that the two old chassis were absolutely useless compared to the Zips. One of them lost drive fairly early on which allowed that lucky team to change to the spare Zip but the other one held together through the first session - almost. When Mark (2) Wyatt brought it in at the end, the marshal asked 'Do you know your engine is falling off ?' At the end of the first leg team 2 (Nick Jenkinson, Adrian Grinstead, Graham Davey…) was in the lead followed by teams 3, 4, 1 and 5.

A small chicane was added for the second leg and teams swapped cars - disastrous for team 2 who got one of the old ones. The clock was well under way before the cars started so the leg was shorter than it should have been but it was enough for team 2 to drop back to third on 283 laps, teams 3 (Jeremy White, Russell Pratt, Dave Lloyd…) and 4 making good use of their Zip chassis in both legs to move up to 1st (292 laps) and 2nd (285 laps). Team 1 (me, Colin Early, Mark (2), Phil Beckett and Jonathan Lewis) remained in 4th place on 279 laps with team 5 bringing up the rear on 266 laps.

I'm afraid that I didn't really enjoy the evening, it seemed to be treated as a sideline which brings in easy money. For £25 you only get around 15 minutes driving so it's not even particularly cheap. If all six cars had been equal it would have helped but anyone in an older car was on a hiding to nothing. If there's another one at Bracknell I think I'll give it a miss.

Apologies to those of you who were there and haven't been mentioned or if I've got things wrong. I blame my cub reporter - you know who you are Vanessa.

2 - Sandown Park

Arrangements are now well in hand for a six hour endurance race at the outdoor track at Sandown Park on 28th June. Andrew Crighton of Karting at Sandown is laying on his Zip racing karts and the full 850m circuit for the day. Colin and I had a run round the full circuit recently and it is absolutely fantastic, the level of grip compared to an indoor track is incredible and with a 165m (downhill) main straight, you can build up to speeds you could never achieve indoors. Lap times are 55-60 seconds and after only 15 minutes I was beginning to feel the strain. Duckhams Oils will again be putting up some additional prizes and food and drinks will be available throughout the day from the Southern Hospitality Unit. Entries are limited to 14 and cost £240/team of 6-12 drivers, regs are available either from Colin or me. Move fast if you want to enter, there has been a lot of interest already.

BP Oil will be there and I expect entries from Southern, Hart, Windsor, etc. There may also be a quick all ladies team which recently came third in a 2hr race at Slipstream. During qualifying they were on pole for a while - perhaps we should turn them down, it could be embarrassing.

Even if you don't want to enter this time, Sandown is well worth a visit. Call Andrew on 01372 471312 if you want to arrange some practice.

3 - More Slipstream

Since our visit to Slipstream in Camberley last month, the track has been extended to 400m, giving it a much more 'flowing' layout instead of the tight, twisty turns it had before. Lap times are now around 32s. Two new chassis have been ordered and 14 car grids will now be possible. Race prices are not being increased but practice sessions have been cut to 15 mins/£10 - apparently, most of the damage to karts is done in the last 5 minutes of a practice session when people get tired and start making mistakes. If you want to try the new track, contact Gary or Van on 01276 685655.

4 - And Finally…