Today we made it out for both practices. We had a different layout and we ran the track counterclockwise instead of clockwise. There were 15 karts today.
I had done some time on the sim earlier this week and once I got on track I knew somewhat how to run the layout. We also got on track 5 minutes after pulling into the pits.
Qualifying was fun, I qualified in P7. We had expected to be in about 8th all day, so this was good for us. I was in the first group for qualifying.
Next up was the first heat, where I started P7. I tried to work together with someone, but he had issues with his kart. He was in P8, so it didn’t change my position at all. I just tried to stay close to everyone in front of me, and learn their lines. I finished in P7.
In the second heat, I started 7th, but by the first lap I was up to P6. I drove my line, knowing that there was a faster kart coming behind me. I was able to keep my spot in P6 for the rest of the heat.
The feature was a rough one for me. I started in P7. Going into turn 1 after the green flag, I accidentally went 4 wide on the inside. I ended up backwards with my tire stuck to someone else's. I was able to get going again and make a pass. I had fallen back to P12. I tried to make another pass to the inside, and I couldn’t quite make it. I think I was just upset with the start and was trying to get my position back quickly. I calmed myself down and took a deep breath. I found someone to follow who I knew would be making passes. I followed him around the track. Every time he made a pass, I followed him. Eventually, he got caught up with someone, and I used it to my advantage. He was on the inside and the other kart was on the outside, leaving just enough room in between them for me. I went straight through and claimed P7.
One of the front runners was off track, meaning I had another person to pass for me to finish in the spot that I would if it were based on lap times. I drove him down, and with one lap left, I was on his bumper. He took a couple corners a little wide, which left me an opening to pass. I took that spot and came out with P6. I finished the race happy with how I finished.
Although they don’t have kart tires for the track, they do have tires to get us to the track. Visit SimpleTire.com and use code SYDNEY15 at checkout for 15% off.
One thing I learned from today is that even if the start of something is rough, you can always bounce back from it and come out where you want to.