British Super One Karting Series

Racing tracks names range from the inspiring and ferocious Monza or Talladega Super Speedway to the tedious and benign. This weekend I visited a kart racing circuit whose name can only fall into that second category. While unique in the fact that gunfire rings throughout the race meeting, the name ‘Clay Pigeon Kartway,’ certainly does not create visions of horse power and speed. On the other hand, conveniently located on site is a clay pigeon target shooting range. Most testosterone fueled men will tell firearms and racing vehicles is a sound combination; what could possibly go wrong?

Clay Pigeon Kartway is in the southern part of the United Kingdom just outside a town called Yeovil the host to the first round of the British Super 1 karting series. The purpose of my trip was two fold first for the purpose of meeting Gary Chapman, the director of Protrain karting, a leading British karting team. Secondly, I personally wanted to see a British kart race myself and see what they were serving in the British kart racing water that was so potently creating Formula 1 calibre racing drivers.

After a three hour train ride and compulsory taxi I arrived on scene and began to notice differences even before arriving. First of all, the fact that I had been able to travel to a major national event (essentially) by public transportation is unthinkable in the United States. Due to the nature of British geography British competitors are only required a short journey to almost every major race, as opposed to the day long (or more) journeys it traditionally takes to reach American events.

The second major difference I noted was in the paddock area. In America each entrant usually brings their own equipment to the track in a trailer, often times behind a truck, SUV, or motor home, the British racing drivers were (A) much more likely to be with a team, under a single canopy with 3-7 other drivers and (B) those teams used utility vans – similar to the Dodge Sprinter vans that we have in America rather than big trailers and motorhomes used in the states.

The final major difference I noted was the amount of racing that was taking place. The entire facility was packed to the gills with drivers and they were broken up into only five classes. Those classes in the single day ran five races! Typically in America three is the maximum number of races one can hope for because most events run something like 15 classes. Because of these consolidated, huge classes, the competition on track was absolutely fierce. With very large fields packed into five classes everyone was scrapping for position at any given spot on the track.

There were many other differences but what it boiled down to was a very different approach to the world of kart racing. Things make more sense from a travel perspective, the teams are very organized and the competition is incredible throughout the field. It is amazing to me how people on different continents can end up with such variety when the goals are all the same.

Personally for me it was a good day (although way too cold for this Texan!!!) Even though he was very busy I had a chance to meet with the team director Mr. Chapman and will be following up with him next week to see about opportunities to be involved with his team. I would really love to participate in the European Karting Championship. If there is any way to make it happen we will see.

This next week I am looking forward to having another week of new things. Next weekend is the first round of the British Formula Ford Championship. This is the series I really want to be a part of if I had the sponsorship money to get a seat. It will be very cool to see the cars on track and see the off-track side of British motorsport as well.

On Thursday I will be back to the Bedford Autodrome for my second chance to impress and learn about the Palmer Sport racing school. Rather than a training program I will actually be going along with a group of the schools clients as they experience race car driving for themselves. I am also hunting for an automobile and hopefully will be able to find something this week. I am looking for something with some big horsepower, fantastic handling, and style that an Italian would be proud of. I have a feeling I will be settling for something reliable, cheap, and available!

Hope you are all doing very well and I would like to thank everyone who has written with encouraging words about this journal. I certainly appreciate it and will keep going forward to have good results to write about!

Thank you all and warmest regards

Michael