This was to be the first official karting event for the North East, although we visited the venue last year for an arrive and drive (which means a muck around on the karts).

The idea was to get as many club members as possible then fill up the rest of the karts with family and friends to ensure all 20 karts had drivers.

After a slow start from the club we had 11 club driver so I got another 7 of my family and friends making 18 we then had 3 late comers from the club making 21 which meant that I (Mike Johnson) was going to have to sit this one out as they only allow 20 karts on the track, however the last three in decided to drop out so I was back in again.

On the day I told everyone that I would be at the local Mc Donald’s at 10.30am an hour before the event for light refreshments and a last chance to build up body fluids (really it was to make sure everyone got to the venue on time as they run to a time table with groups on before and after us) Six of us eventually arrived there so it was on to the venue where we met up with a few more of the drivers.

15 minutes to go and we were still about 7 drivers missing!! Eventually one turned up saying that there was a massive traffic jam on the A19, I passed this information onto Teeside Karting and they said there was no immediate problem as they were running about 20 mins late, At the last minute14 year old Jamie said he wanted to drive so by the time the other drivers turned up we had 19.

After the drivers briefing we were out for the 20 minute practice session, this passed in no time and I did not even see (if there was one) the flag to indicate start of qualifying.

I was brought to the front of the grid which means I had got the quickest lap time hence pole.

Flag down and we are off, I got a cracking start and a quick look over my shoulder arriving at the first corner told me that no one else was close enough to challenge me so I took the racing line through the corner while the rest of them battled with each other!! The rest is history as nobody else got in a position to challenge me for the rest of the race.

Everyone behind me seemed to be having more fun as they were swapping and changing places right through the race with Claire Moore finally yielding to husband John (after lots of gesticulating)

The standard of driving was very high (what do you expect with a driving instructor and a policeman on track) with no injuries to either drivers or karts!! We had lovely bright sunshine which made the tyres very hot and sticky making for very high speeds, I personally heard the rev limiter kick in a couple of times which meant that my kart had reached it’s top speed of 70MPH.

Unfortunately Mac Sheavills had to drop out after about 9 laps of the race (some thing to do with TWO bottles of red wine the night before) as someone said a very expensive hang over!! Daniel Johnson pulled in with just 2 laps to go because of an ulcerated back (which he started the race with)

CONCLUSION

A great day was had by all (except Mac) and already people are asking when the next Karting event is going to be

I would like there to be more club members at the next event, Remember this is a social event as well. The stragglers eventually leaving the bar at around 3.30pm.

1st Mike Johnson
2nd Rob Johnson
3rd Terry Johnson

If you think you or your friends can stop the Johnson brothers white washing the next Karting event why not come along!!

MR2 MK1 Club Members attending this event were:
Mike Johnson
Dave Watchman
Peter Key
Mac Sheavills
Mike Sheavills
Andrew Hudson
Ian Wood
John Moore
Claire Moore
Dave Robinson
Richie Rich

MIKE JOHNSON

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