Race 15 - Rainout

Last race of the season.  Paving is scheduled to start this week on the track expansion.  The earthmoving and tire barrier dislocation will preclude any further racing without a significant work party effort.  Only one more points race was planned anyway.

Weather was wet the night before but looked like we might be able to get the races in before showers moved in.  In the months of July and August, rain does not stop the racing but any other time the club will postpone or cancel races for rain.  The track was still damp before practice started and the older kids and adults were asked to run some laps to help get it safe for the Kid Kart drivers to begin their practice.  Lian enjoyed the challenge of driving in the slick conditions and did better than most keeping it on the pavement.

Practice times reflected that conditions were not ideal and were about a half second slower than ideal but she told me the kart was balanced and she didn't want any changes for the heats.  She and her friend agreed to perform the National Anthem after the drivers meeting so they set up Lian's drums, her friend's flute and a microphone in the control tower (out of view of the crowd so her friend would not be so nervous).  Well, it was not the worst rendition but it definitely revealed the lack of practice her friend had.  The crowed eventually began singing it to help her along and we got through it.  Lian did fine with her drums and cymbals but was frustrated by how it went.  She was ready to put that performance behind her and race.

She lined up in second place for the start of Heat 1 and I felt a few stray raindrops.  For the second week in a row we had only the four toughest competitors in the class present.  These were the points leaders and the final season results were in play with the race results.  I warned Lian that conditions may worsen during the race and to be ready to adjust to the area outside the racing groove to find bite.

Lian had a pretty good start and held second place through the first turn.  The number 25 made a few runs at her but never really had a shot until the second-to-last lap.  Check out this attempted pass during Heat 1.  When she came off the track, she was very pleased with herself and optimistic it was going to be a good day.

We lined up for Heat 2 in the third position and waited for the previous class to clear the track.  Before we started engines, a light drizzle began.  The officials took about a minute to consider options while the intensity of the rain increased.  They decided to have us cover our karts while they waited a short time to watch what the weather was going to do.  Eventually, they declared a rain-out and we started to pack up for the last time this season.

My friend from work - Myron and his wife and son were in the area visiting family.  I was hoping that they could see some great racing action.  Unfortunately, they arrived just as we moved off the starting grid for the rain and they never saw any racing.  They did ask some questions about the club and the karts and promised to visit again sometime next season.

Thanks for following us so far.  That puts a wrap on the racing action for this year.  We plan to attend the Awards Banquet next month so I'll update this blog after that.

Race 14 - A Tribute

On the night before we were to race,  the father of one of Lian's good friends passed away.  Patrick Clancy was 51 and was suffering from complications following surgery.  If curious, you can see his obituary here.

Lian wanted to dedicate this race to his family.  Having gotten to know the them over the years, we all shared the pain of his loss.  I was proud that Lian not only came up with the idea but made a sign to attach to her kart for the race.

We unloaded in blustery but warm conditions.  Significant rain had fallen the day before so the track had no rubber in it and was slightly damp.  Practice was a little slippery and her times were down about 6 to 8 tenths but she only complained it was slightly loose.  I made a track width adjustment and put her race tires on for the first heat.  The Heats and the Feature were very fast, Lian set her personal best!

Lian was starting second in Heat 1 and third in Heat 2.  There were only 4 racing this week but they were the toughest of the class.  In the first heat, the third place kart got into the back of the first place kart and got him loose.  This gave Lian a chance to take the lead - which she did.  She held off the second place driver for her first Heat win ever.  We were very excited!  I'm just a little bummed I didn't get it on video.

In Heat 2, Lian fell back at the start a little and ended up fourth.  As you can see in this video, the second lap had a gift for her in the form of a spun-out kart.  This allowed her to move to third and that is where she finished.

With a first and a 3rd place finish, she tied for the best average with one other driver.  Fortunately, she picked a very low pill at registration's random draw and ended up starting on the pole.  She didn't want to mess up this opportunity and she felt strongly that the helmet camera would slow her down so I filmed from trackside.  She lost the lead to the second place starter in the first turn.  The video footage is not as good but you can see her getting passed for second.  See what you think of this.  She was particularly angry about this as she bounced out of her seat and the seat edge hit her below the rib protector.



When she calmed, we told her how proud we were for fighting hard out there and being so thoughtful of her friend.  Third place is still respectable with this competitive group.

Track expansion plans for the club have been set.  We will have one more regular points race which will also be our halloween trick-or-treat at the trailers.  The following day, the paving company will begin and a whole new track will emerge for next season.  Lian has said that she is planning to run again next year so, I guess you will be reading this blog for a while...