Sanzaru Games Karting Championship - Race 3
| Date | May 15, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Track | Simraceway, Sonoma, CA |
| Configuration | Pro National |
| Total Drivers | 11 |
| Qualify Position / Time | P5 / :47.465 |
| Heat Race 1 Position / Best Lap | P4 / :47.798 |
| Heat Race 2 Position / Best Lap | P5 / :47.810 |
| Main Race Position / Best Lap | P5 / :47.614 |
| Points Earned / Series Points | 145 / 510 |
| Standings Position | 3/11 |
Photo by Tony Leone, Dromo Photos
Despite not finishing on the podium this weekend, I would consider this race more successful than the last. As always, the level of competition was very high, and there were several more drivers who participated in my class, making it a total of 11 drivers.
Practice
On Saturday, I spent the majority of my practice sessions experimenting with the changes to be made for the upcoming race. Tuning the kart ranged from loosening the seat to changing the gearing to find that sweet spot down the straightaway. Throughout the day, I was also able to scout out my competitors on track and find out what my strengths and weaknesses were as a driver.
Qualify
The top 5 drivers were all very close together, and I found myself qualifying in P5, 1/100th of a second off of Enzo Prevost. When I saw my qualifying position, I thought to myself: "Good. I have a competitive pace, and I am positioned where I want to be for the starts." Only 2/10ths of a second seperated the top 5.
Photo by Tony Leone, Dromo Photos
Heat Race 1
As the green waved, I found myself in the midst of a dusty battlefield right away. From that moment on, I knew I had to drive smart, because one mistake could ruin my chances of another podium finish. For a good portion of the race, I was in the fight for the top 3 and saw an opportunity that could potentially put me in 2nd if I played my cards right. Unfortunately, the gap closed in too quickly, and with that, my momentum was disrupted. After that, I found myself trying to reclaim 4th place against Zia Harvey, and it all went down to the wire on the last lap. It was a very clean and fun battle as we fist-pumped after we crossed the checkered flag.
Heat Race 2
For the second heat race, I found myself making the same mistake at the same corner. I was in the fight for a top 3 finish, until I took another unsuccessful gamble to move up a couple spots. After that blunder, I still drove at a consistent pace. By lap 8/8, I caught up to the back of the leaders and finished with the fastest lap time by 2/10ths of a second.
Main
This time, no mistakes were made. The only significant error that I noticed right off the bat was the race start. As the green flag waved, there was already a gap the size of a kart length between me and the driver ahead of me, which ruined my chance of making a move for P1 early in the race. However, I still drove at a great pace and was able to race against Enzo Prevost, Tom Dyer, Carlos Calderon, and Zach Pettinicchi for that podium finish. In the end, I finished in 5th place and had the second fastest lap time.
Every time I go practice over the weekend, I find myself improving rapidly. Looking ahead at race 4 in June, there will be many more competitors because it's the last time there will ever be a race on the Reverse National layout before the Rotax Grand Nationals. That is a race that I will most definitely look forward to!
Read about the other races from 2016 Sanzaru Games Karting Championship