Protrain Are Really Pros at Racing!

I seem to have been 'taken under the wing' of Protrain race team! They're amazing and very very good at what they do!

In 1969, Steve Chapman founded Protrain Race team and from there onwards, its gone from strength to strength! I now race with Protrain race team every month at Rissington's Race meeting racing one of their own Tyro Karts (No. 93)!

I greatly recommend Protrain Race team for anyone who is starting racing or someone who has a lot of experience as I guarantee that they will help you to improve your racing. They have helped me shave seconds off my time and I am slowly getting towards my target time at Rissington!

We All Start Somewhere...

Have you ever looked at a Formula 1 driver, and been like, I could never do that?! Well you can, everyone has to start somewhere, and two of the most iconic and well-known racing drivers started racing at local race circuits.

Jenson Button

Jenson Button started karting when he was eight years old and acheived a lot of success at a very young age! The video below shows him beating all the other drivers at the age of nine in 1989 (he is kart number 14)!

Jenson Button is now a Formula 1 driver and is very successful, however as a child although he won a lot of races he got into a lot of trouble as a young karter! When he started racing at Shennington Race Circuit, he got pulled in by the club chairman and was handed a ban for 5 races due to dangerous driving which put other drivers at risk.

The 'ARKS' Of Racing!

This entry is to discuss whether you need to sit an ARKS test or whether it is not necessary. I am currently racing a Tyro Kart which has its own class called 'The Tyro' and has been noticed by the MSA.

To race a Tyro kart you currently do not need to have taken an ARKS test which I think is a very good idea for people who are starting. For many other classes however you do need an ARKS test, for example, Junior Rotax and Junior TKM! An ARKS test consists of the driver being watched as they race around the circuit, the instructor looks for 4 things:

1. Safety
2. Speed
3. Consideration of other drivers
4. General knowledge of racing line

Once you have raced around the track the instructor will ask you a few questions to test your general knowledge of racing and knowledge of what the different racing flags mean and stand for.

Even though I am currently racing in a class that does not require an ARKS test, I am planning on taking it in May to ensure a smooth transition between Tyro and another class that requires an ARKS test.

"Size isn't everything..."

In this entry I am going to name some race circuits in the local area which I think are very good and list the distances of the circuit along with aerial pictures - I will also put a difficulty level on each circuit judging from what I have raced in order of 1 to 4 (one being least difficult and four being most difficult) however, difficulty depends on the driver's ability and style ...

Shennington Kart Club (above)

1018m Direct Drive Circuit

1211m Gearbox Circuit

Difficulty Rating: 1

Whilton Mill Kart Club (above)

1120m Direct Drive Circuit

Difficulty Rating: 4

Kimbolton Kart Club (above)

989.5m - Event 1

1049.7m - Event 2 

958m - Gearbox Track 

Difficulty Rating: 2

Rissington Kart Club (above)

970m Direct Drive Circuit

Difficulty Rating: 3

Can I Upgrade My Kart To TAG?

"Can I Upgrade My Kart To TAG?" is a question that I have been asked on several occasions, and I am sure that the answer of; Yes you can, will please many people!

This involves a few simple steps...

1. For this demonstration I am going to start with a Junior TKM engine (pictured below)

2. Purchase a kart battery with a simple 4 pin attachment (pictured below)

3. Connect the two, four pin cable together.

4. With the spare black cable coming out of the Junior TKM engine it can now be used as a rev monitor for a Mychron 4 (you need to buy a Mychron Cable and it plugs into the middle socket on the rear of the Mychron 4) - if you do not own a Mychron 4 you will have to buy a IEC terminal connector which plugs into the black cable and cuts the current off. 

5. This should now provide you with a TAG system, and a working Mychron 4 providing a rev meter and lap timer.

What is a TAG system?

I have had many messages and comments from people asking what a TAG system is and whether is it worth getting...

There are three types of starting systems that are common in karts:

Pull-Start Engine

• Pull start have many advantages; for example, starting them after a long break is very easy as it does not rely on a battery and most usually starts first time!
• However the main disadvantage is one that can cause many problems out on the race circuit; for example, if a kart (cadets typically have a pull-start engine) had an accident and span of the circuit, typically the engine would cut out for safety reasons. The driver cannot restart the engine themselves because they are not allowed to leave the kart, they then have to wait for a marshall to assist them, this takes time and can cause them to lose positions in the race.

Push-Start Engine

• Push-Starts have one main advantage; the fact that they start moving which enables them to gain speed very quickly!
• However I think that the disadvantages of a push-start engine seriously outways the advantages; for example, it is very common for the kart engine to not start on the grid which results in the driver losing many places in the race. Another disadvantage is if a kart had an accident and span of the circuit, typically the engine would cut out for safety reasons. The driver cannot restart the engine themselves because they are not allowed to leave the kart, they then have to wait for a marshall to assist them, this takes time and can cause them to lose positions in the race. Furthermore, I have witnessed drivers pushing their kart with their team mechanic onto the track to start the engine, attempting to jump into the kart and falling to the ground injured, and the kart behind running them over as they are travelling at such fast speeds.

TAG engine system

• A TAG engine system has many advantages; it does not require any assistance to start which makes the whole karting operation a lot easier. If a kart had an accident and span of the circuit, typically the engine would cut out for safety reasons. Using a TAG system the driver can restart the engine themselves by simply pressing the start system. 
• However the one disadvantage of a TAG start system is the fact that after not using the kart for a while, it can take a while to restart it again, but once it starts; it will work perfectly!

Personally, I think that the best system is the TAG system! The Tyro kart that I have started to drive uses a TAG system with two buttons, a starting throttle and a full engine cut out. 

It could've been worse...

I know what you're thinking...Oh god, he's ended up in hospital! He's broken his neck (well I haven't this time, I nearly have before, but thats a story for another day...) I'll explain all about the incident later!

So I arrived, although half-asleep, at 7:45, and quickly oiled my chain, lubricated the brake disk and checked the tyre pressures. I then headed out on a track walk to work out the best line possible for the troublesome Dogleg!

I did my three lap practise perfectly, there was no spins and I was consistently knocking out 55/56 second laps. Everything was looking good, and as I lined up on the dummy grid I was feeling quietly confident!

On the starting grid, The Tyro attracted a lot of attention, I have never been asked so many questions; "How many cc does it have?", "Top Speed?" and "What chassis is it?" All of those questions are reasonable, except the last one, it quite clearly says on the side of the chassis that it is a Gillard.

Anyway I got out onto the track and we set off on our rolling lap, once we reached the starting line we were travelling at a reasonable travel, as we passed the yellow line, everyone accelerated. I managed to cut Josh (No. 94) off and edge in front of him.

This was the final, the race that everything came down to, nothing even mattered anymore. I got to lap 4 in 3rd position, then it all happened. The bolt holding my fuel tank to the kart flew off, hitting my helmet and flying onto the track. I had to race the entire 8 more laps holding the fuel tank between my knees, therefore reducing my ability to break and accelerate. I soon realised that I wasn't going to retain my position of 3rd whilst I couldn't fully accelerate. So I let go of the fuel tank with my knees, removed my left hand which was tightly gripped to the steering wheel and hugged the fuel tank to the metal strip running to my engine.

Although the situation was far less than ideal I was getting through the race and I was holding 3rd position. Then, disaster struck again, the cable taking fuel to my engine slipped out of the top of my fuel tank which resulted in fuel starvation, which meant that I couldn't accelerate over 40mph. Due to this factor, Josh (No. 94) who had been in 4th position, overtook me. I got round the rest of the circuit (luckily there was only one lap left) and I finished in 4th position. At the end of the race I pulled into the pits, and all over my kart was leaking petrol, I was helped out my kart and I was soaking wet. The really weird thing was the fact that I hadn't noticed fuel on me for the whole race, I guess it shows how focused I was.

However, everything isn't all bad! At the end of the day, my mum decided to buy me my own set of race boots. They are Sparco boots and I am very excited to race in them next month...I've uploaded a picture of them below...

My First Race Meeting!

Yesterday evening I was invited by Steve Chapman to attend a Rissington race meeting a race a brand new Tyro. I jumped in the air and immediately replied with a yes, I mean who wouldn't?

The first challenge of today was finding Rissington Kart Club, it is located in the middle of nowhere, it is peaceful (apart from the continual revving of kart engines!)

After eventually arriving at Rissington - I was once again greeted by Steve's friendly face and a gigantic awning! I did a sort of excited skip into the awning, and was greeted by my kart, No. 93 ...

Its beautiful isn't it? When I first saw it I had to pinch myself to check that I wasn't dreaming...but sure enough it was real, this kart was mine! Its some kind of karting god! I walked around the kart, it had never been raced before and had only been built the day before. 

I slipped on a race suit, helmet, gloves and boots, and slowly wheeled my kart out onto the dummy grid. I hopped in and slipped down into position, I started the engine using the TAG system, and to the surprise of the surrounding Protrain Team, it started first time. However, the 5 other drivers karts did not start first time but after some serious revving we all got going! 

Tomorrow is the race day and today was just practise, we were using the full circuit and by the end of the day I was getting 58.34 seconds, which overall wasn't a bit time considering it was the first time I've ever raced at Rissington. However, there is a corner that gets me nearly every time, its called the Dogleg and causes me to spin pretty much every lap - if I could master the corner I could perhaps shave up to 3 seconds off my lap time. 

I'm going to sleep now as I have to be up really early tomorrow to head to the race day! Wish me luck!

To Buy Or Not To Buy?

I have been looking at several karts on the internet and have found a few karts that I really like! I was wondering about your opinions on them as I am seriously considering buying one to race quite soon...

Junior Rotax Max

• Ages 13-16
• National and International classes
• 125cc
• Bare engine is 23.6kg
• Automatic TAG (Touch and Go) start switch

Rotax Minimax

• Ages 11-14
• National Classes
• 120cc
• Bare engine is 20.7kg
• Automatic TAG (Touch and Go) start switch

Junior TKM

• Ages 13-17
• National and International classes
• 115cc
• Bare engine is 22.6kg - Add 6kg for a TAG system to be installed
• Push Start - Not a TAG (Touch and Go) system

Any comments and advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated!

In A Bit Of A Spin!

I have decided to look over the circuit plan for Shennington and discuss the corners that I found difficult in an effort to help anyone else in a similar position to me - the circuit plan is below...

The corner that I find most problematic is the one marked number 4 - the reason its so difficult is because it is a 180° turn. The best way to attack this corner, is to travel as far to the left of the track on the Stratford straight gaining speed, then when you reach the tyre barrier; stamp on the breaks, take your foot off the break and turn sharply in to the apex. Once you reach two thirds of the way past the red and white kerb start accelerating away from the corner to built up your speed for the Runway straight. Tip: Even if you are still travelling at speed after braking, do not turn whilst your foot is on the break otherwise you will spin! Please see the drawing below for more information on this particular corner...

The other corner/series of corners that I find extremely difficult is at point 7 (known as the Bruno Chicane) - the reason that it is so difficult is because of the fact that you are travelling very fast due to the straight just before. The best way that I have found is to take the corner very wide which means that you can still carry a reasonable speed into the apex and accelerate quickly out of it. I have personally found that no braking is required going into the corner, however you do need to lift off the accelerator pedal otherwise you will go straight through the tyre barrier and spin - for more help see the drawing below...

Shennington, Take 2!

Today, as promised by Dad, I returned to Shennington Race Circuit which is situated around 1 hour from my house. When I arrived I was greeted by a friendly and familiar face, John, his first words were, "Hello trouble..." this put a smile on my face from the word go!

I put my favourite suit on, the blue, white and yellow suit, I'm sure I was getting a frown from Marc Jacobs as he watched my fashion disaster unfold, but I really didn't care; I was happy! I got into a Junior Rotax Max (No. 11) and headed out for my first lap. I started off with a solid 44.14 seconds, which was already quicker than my best previous time of 44.97 seconds. I slowly improved my time and ended up getting down to 42.87 seconds, getting closer and closer to the half lap record held at Rissington Circuit!

During one of my breaks, a man approached me and introduced himself as Steve Chapman, a keen racing enthusiast, club chairman of Shennington & Wilton Mill and the developer and owner of a new kart called The Tyro (Is it just me that thinks that 'The Tyro' sounds quite intimidating and impressive?) Anyway, back to the point, I was asked to test drive his prototype model of The Tyro. Of course, I was so honoured at being asked and immediately accepted his offer! However things did not get off to a good start, on my first lap I pulled out in front of a slower kart and the driver was not impressed. He followed up the rear of my kart until the long straight at the far end of the circuit, and sneakily clipped my right rear hand tyre. This immediately caused both rear tyres to lock up and resulted in me losing complete control of the kart and ending up on the side of the hill unable to restart the kart.

Steve quickly rushed over and was laughing, he helped me down with the kart, got it restarted and let me on my way. When I got in after doing around 25 laps, Steve shook my hand and said "there are great things coming for you young lad." This gave me a lot of confidence to keep trying and eventually I would succeed and break my target of 41.50 seconds. Below is a picture of The Tyro prototype that I raced...

Around 15 minutes later, I went out for my next session, once again racing my new favourite kart, the Tyro prototype (No. 90). Once again, I didn't quite reach my target of 41.50 but I did improve and reduce my time to 42.62 seconds. At the end of my session, I was once again approached by an unfamiliar face, this time it belonged to Tom, the Shennington ARKS tester (ARKS is a racing test that allows you to participate in race meetings.) He asked me whether I would be interested in attempting the whole circuit, obviously I immediately agreed! I set out on the track once again in The Tyro and discovered that the second half of the track was not called the harder half for no reason, I agree with the re-naming of one of the corners as 'Hells-wish'!

Next time I race at Shennington (unfortunately not until May/June) I will hopefully get to my target of 41.50 seconds.

Help Me To Fuel My Needs

Since my first race day at Shennington I have been looking at many different race circuits. I feel that I can truly say that my knowledge has dramatically increased! I was wondering if anyone knows any good race circuits around the Oxford/Aylesbury/Milton Keynes area ...

I am also looking into aquiring a kart of my own, do any of you know of any suggestions? I have been looking at a Comer Cadet but judging by their engine size of 75cc I do not think that a Comer Cadet would fuel my speedy needs. However I think the major jump up to a Rotax Mini with 160cc would be a very large jump and would result in many crashes and spins! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

My First Time

Today I headed over to Shennington Race Circuit to go on a 'Lets Go Karting' race day! I had the time of my life. Unfortunately they had to close half of the circuit for safety reasons as there were not enough marshalls to oversee the whole track. This was the first time I'd ever driven at an outdoor race circuit, ever!

I was driving a Junior Rotax Max, they didn't tell me that it was the fastest kart they owned until I had finished (I am still unsure of whether this is a good or a bad thing?) It was most definitely the fastest kart that I've ever driven - I was overtaking and undertaking other karts, although perhaps I did attempt a few dangerous manoeuvres.

My best time on the circuit today was 44.97 seconds, hopefully I can improve on this when I next race there in February!

Above is a photo of me just after I had finished my first day at Shennington! (By the way, comment on what you think of the suit, personally I think it's quite dashing!)