FAT Karting League - Pre-season testing: Shenington
Having had only one half day practice in the wet in a junior kart before, Sunday 22nd March was time for Tom to get to grips with the how the kart handles in the dry and this time with a far more experienced field!
First thing Tom took it steady, learning new grip levels, new lines and handling and generally finding his pace, setting a new PB each session to finish 5th of 18 drivers by the end of the morning with a respectable time.
After a quick refuel over lunch, Tom was back out - and battling with the Junior Heavy competitors from last year! Out on track battle with Finn Dunleavy was a great watch, with both of them driving fairly throughout, ending with Tom in P2 and as fastest junior light of the session.
Session 2 saw Tom on track with Will Sparrow - and clearly enjoying it! Again lots of overtakes between them and clean driving, with Will pipping Tom to P3 by a mere 0.03 seconds but Tom happy with P4 and another PB.
P3 - In this session Tom just focussed on honing his lines, getting the most of the kart, and ultimately set his fastest time of the day
P4 - A last minute change of kart meant Tom was out on cold tyres with everyone else on warm, clearly struggling for grip. The addition of multiple yellows around the track meant he struggled to warm them, but these things happen. A bit disappointed to end the day that way but he's planning to come back committed to improving further next time!
The highlight - realising he was fastest Junior light of the whole weekend with 49.63 in the third afternoon session!
And to top it off, he was thrilled to meet Anthony Davidson and his son - a fantastic end to a great day doing what he loves most!
Morning: P11 | P9 | P10 | P5
Afternoon: P2 🥈 | P4 | P2 🥈 | P13 (kart swap/cold tyres/yellows)
AND fastest junior light of the weekend 🥇
