Race Comments

April 30, 2008

Sixteen drivers in the HPV2 class last Sunday at the Kinsmen Kart Club in Dixon, CA. "The Crossover Race" consisting of the drivers from the Dixon, Davis, and Prairie City kart clubs.

It's hot, temps. reached around 90° on Sunday with little or no breeze. We aren't used to that kind of heat yet!!!! Austin had his sights set on winning this race and he had the speed to do it!!! Our practice earlier in the week gave us the advantage as our set-up was dialed in.

Out onto the track that morning for qualifying and Austin was looking smooth, I could see the determination in his movements on the track, he wanted this race!!

Missing the pole position by 5/100ths of a second gave Austin the 2nd place position to start the first heat race. Out onto the track and coming around to the start, the drivers get the green flag and they're off!!! A good strong and experienced driver is in the 4th position right behind Austin and they are pushing all the way down the straight heading for turn one. The driver on pole didn't have a chance with the powerhouse lineup behind Austin pushing him like a locomotive... Emerging from the turn was Austin!!! In the Lead!!! The excitement continued to escalate as we watched him take each lap quickly and smoothly, 15 drivers behind him, but none could catch up, he wanted this race and Bordogna had given him the power to take it!!

Crossing the finish line with the win, the team is very pleased. Back to the pits to get the kart ready to run the Main race. It's a long wait as all the other classes have to run, a few accidents, and even a flip that caused the ambulance to roll out. The sun continued to pound down and heat up the track. The new asphalt on the track hadn't seen this kind of weather and began bringing the oils to the surface. Many drivers we're not prepared for this and lost control of their karts throughout the day at different points on the track.

We're next up!! Lined up on the grid the drivers get the "start em up!" signal and they head out to get into position for the start, Austin "on-pole" this time... Tension is mounting in my chest as I know how important this race is to Austin... They get the green and they're off!! Around turn one, two, three..., front guys battling for position... heading into turn 7 Austin takes the hairpin turn too fast which sends his kart sliding too far out and his back wheel went off the track into the dirt infield!! He proceeded to slide all the way into the dirt, spinning around and around as he tried his best to get back onto the asphalt. Two wheels made it back on and then bam!! High-centered the chassis and the race was over... for our team. Our emotions from sky high to down low as we watched from the fence. Austin sat helplessly on the infield watching the rest of the race until he could be taken off the track safely.

We were disappointed but later looked to the positive side. He was one of three drivers in his class to qualify with very good lap times into the 29's and also winning the heat race and making pole for the main race. Also can't forget to take the things he learned from that race...the skills he will take with him to the next race.

We're heading to Stockton this weekend for the next IKF. Hope to see you there!

I also want to mention a Big Thank You to Becky at Snap Fitness Center in Shingle Springs, CA. for providing Austin with a new set of slicks for the Dixon race. We appreciate your generosity!!!

April 12 & 13, 2008

Sunday's HPV2 race in Redding, CA. brought Austin onto the podium for his first trophy of the season!!! Austin earned a 5th place finish racing with the likes of Brendan Phinny, Brett Felkins, Joey Teves, Kyle Spaulding, and Kelsey Nilsson (to name a few) all very fast and experienced drivers who are used to leading and winning races. Austin qualified 3rd in this group of 13 drivers. He out-qualified the very experienced Brendan Phinny by 4/100th of a second!! The temps were around 90°, it was Hot!! The drivers struggled not to get overheated, it was a challenge to keep cool but all in all we had a great weekend. Saturday's finish in HPV4 earned 8th position out of 12 drivers.

2007 Race Comments