Mt Gambier Karting Club – Mt Gambier – 4/11/2017 and 5/11/2017

The SA State Cup was an event held in Mt Gambier, a short 5 hour drive away from Adelaide.  Mt Gambier was close to the border with Victoria, so we had a few interstaters enter into the race mixing up the field from the locals we might usually race against.

Jim had some pretty good pace in practice, and we had the kart dialled in fairly quickly.  He was on the pace and getting used to a track he’d had limited experience with.

Jim struggled with pace in qualifying, and did his best, but was only able to record the 3rd quickest time.

In the first heat, Jim got a good start and slotted into 2nd.  He stayed there until the second to last lap, briefly getting into the lead.  The finish was truly exciting, with Jim finishing in 3rd, 8/100s of a second behind the leader – That’s 3 karts crossing the line within a tenth of a second.

In Heat 2, Jim again got a good start and was up to second.  He took the lead in the second lap, and then he and another competitor built a lead from the others.  Jim was then pipped on the last lap, and came home in second.

In Heat 3, Jim got shuffled back to 4th at the start.  He worked his way forward, and was leading by the tenth lap.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t hold onto the lead and came home in second.

In the final, Jim got a great start and was leading for the first few laps.  He was passed on lap 7, and didn’t quite have the pace to mount a challenge, finishing the heat and the overall race meet in second.

This was a great event put on by the Mt Gambier Karting Club.  Jim had a heap of fun, and I learned once again that there is always something that will bite you in this sport.

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.

On to Christine.  I came away from the weekend uninjured again, so there is that positive thing.  I’d almost get a point apart from the issue in qualfying – so better luck next time to me.   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).