Southern Go Kart Club – Bolivar – 21/10/2017 and 22/10/2017

After all the recent travelling, it was time to race locally in one the big title meets.  The review process from previous races had shown up some flaws, and this was an opportunity to put the changes into action.

As with our previous reviews, there was a strong indication that there was a significant issue with the quality of the work performed by the mechanical support operative tasked with seeking and obtaining optimal performance of the motorised conveyance used by Jim to compete in these events.  The team decided to implement a strict ‘problem elimination protocol’ to ‘restrict the problem space’ and ‘identify any aberrant behaviours’.

Basically, I wasn’t allowed to touch anything.

Jim started off pretty well, clocking a qualifying time 6 hundredths of a second slower than the lap record.  This was good enough to give him pole for the first 2 heats.

When we arrived at the grid for heat 1, the competitor who qualified second informed us who couldn’t compete in the heat as he had an engine issue and couldn’t get it resolved in time.  The competitor who qualified third then had to withdrawal as they suffered an engine problem on the grid as the kids were about to go out.

Jim got a good start, built up a gap and took the win in heat 1.

All competitors made it to the grid for heat 2.  Jim’s start wasn’t as good as the kid in second, and he was in second by the first corner.  Jim made a move on the second lap to move up to first.  He was then passed at the end of the straight, and took the position back 2 corners later.  He managed to built up a little gap and go on to win the heat.

The good results from the first couple of heats meant that Jim started heat 3 on pole.  He got a good start, and managed to build a small gap and go on to take the heat win.

I was allowed to place the kart in the trailer on Saturday afternoon, but I was not allowed to do anything else.

On Sunday, we arrived to a cloudy day.  Jim started the Pre-final off pole, and he was keen to get a good finishing position as this would be his starting position for the final.  He got a good start, and again managed to build a small gap and go on to take the race win.

The people round me did a great job of distracting me, and I didn’t get the opportunity to go anywhere near Jim’s kart.  This proved to be a good thing, as Jim got a great start in the final, and again managed to build a gap and go on to take the win.

Jim would like to thank Iocane, WIFA Racing, EvoKart Australia, Haak Engines, and his mum and sister for all their support.  Thanks also to all the officials and volunteers, without whom Jim couldn’t race.

Christine was well behaved.  Analysis from the ‘problem elimination protocol’ would tend to suggest that these problems have a common denominator – me.  Thankfully, I don’t believe in any of that sciency claptrap or else I may be offended.  The current score:

JP -> 3 (Survived 2 weeks without hurting himself, use of Angle Grinder Persuasion, Ancient Spirit Mumbo Jumbo)

Christine -> 8 (Burn by exhaust, Degreasing of the eye, Magical Goggle Piercing Metal bit, Special Combo, Epidermal Peel, Degrease, Rinse, Repeat, 98 Octane Eye Wash, Inappropriate Tool Grabbing).