Another visit to Kimbolton for the November HKRC meeting.
With heavy rain forecast Saturday and a dry Sunday the value of Saturday testing would be minimal but Lucas completed the testing showing good pace.
On to race day and weather was clear but the track was still holding moisture from the very wet Saturday so tricky conditions...
3 Lap practice went well with Lucas posting the 2nd quickest time so hopeful in the randomly drawn heats that we will be competitive.
Heat 1 - P2 Start
Thetrack had dried considerably since the practice so another set of tyres were selected, which proved would be disasterous. Lights green and away we go, into the lead but the tyres immediately showed their lack of pace and by the end of lap 1 Lucas had dropped to P6.
This would set the tone for the rest of the race with Lucas battling to hold position...Lap 3-4 made places up to 4th, 5-6 dropped to 5th, 7 to 6th, 8-9 up to 5th and took the flag in 6th having to use all his ability and racecraft to maintain this position. Great driving bearing in mind the very poor tyres and on to Heat 2 to try and make up points.
Heat 2 - P18 Start
A near last row start meant quick progress forward was required, especially bearing in mind Heat 1 so Dude focussed and knew what he had to do.
The changing conditions dictated a host of changes to the kart setup but these were completed in time ofr the heat and we are on the grid totally focussed on the job at hand.
So far back we could not see Lucas on the grid so waited for the light to go out and he comes into view with a good start and files into the train on the inside......as the front karts in the train enter turn 1 Lucas pulls to the outside as he can see bunching happening and picks a line around the outside enabling him to make up 4 places on lap 1.
Lap 2 another 2, by Lap 4 he was up to 10th but the gaps were wider now to the next driver. Lap 8 he was into P7 with a 1.6 second gap to the next target whom he despatched in 2 laps finishing in P6 at the flag. Great drive showing very good pace and making up 12 places form his startign position which would hoepfully help his starting position for the final.
Final
The good work in heat 2 helped minimise the impact of heat 1 resulting in a P6 start, 3rd row.....not ideal but well within striking distance for a win if all goes to plan.
GO! And Lucas slots into P5 off the line, with Global Karting drivers takign P2, P3, P4 & P6 this was a race that needed a level head to break away from the competition and ensure the spoils went to the team.
By the 2nd lap it was Global drivers in teh 1st 4 places with th elead pair having a slight gap over Lucas and his teammate. For the next 3 laps Lucas worked with his teammate to bridge the gap but it was not coming down quick enough so he made the decision to overtake and see if he could drag the pair up to the leading duo so on Lap 5 he took the leaad of the chasing pair and set about turning the screw.
Over the next two laps Lucas bridged the gap but unfortunately his teammate could not match the pace so on Lap 6 Lucas reached the leading duo and on Lap 7 made his move into P2.
The trio then set about building a gap to the chasing drivers, with the 4th team member managing his position in front of the chasing pack.....this is how the race stayed for the next 8 laps with trio extending their lead.
The drivers were under orders not to try anything until they were unleashed and so it was on Lap 15 of 16 that the restraints came off....instantly Lucas went in on the leader to take the lead then set about holding off the two behind who were piling on major pressure....on to the last lap.
Down the straight Lcuas took a defensive position and the P2 driver was glued to his bumper just waiting for him to either leave too much room on th einside into a corner or make a mistake......in to turn 1 and Lucas has no choice but to go tight to negate a move up the inside and seeing this the P3 driver goes for a great move and drives round the outside of the pair to take the lead, Lucas gets his head down to try and catch the leader but is hamstrung by having to defend from the P3 driver into the corners and this is how the took the flag, a fantastic finish to a great dominant race with all the Global drivers demonstrating great maturity and showing each other major respect.
So, another podium that could have so easily have been a win, fastest lap in the final to come through to lead and a Global Karting lockout of the Podium with drivers finishing in P1, P2, P3, P4 and also the new teammate taking the Top Novice trophy.