SKUSA 2017 ProKart Challenge Streets of Lancaster Grand Prix
| Date | Sep 30 - Oct 1, 2017 |
|---|---|
| Track | Streets of Lancaster, Lancaster CA |
| Total Drivers | 18 |
| Qualify Position / Time | P14 / :42.468 |
| Heat Race 1 Position / Best Lap | DNF / :43.776 |
| Heat Race 2 Position / Best Lap | P10 / :41.673 |
| Main Race Position / Best Lap | P12 / :418.876 |
What an incredible experience this Street Circuit race turned out to be. Although we didn’t get the result we were hoping for, it was probably the most fun we’ve had all year. Kyle was more competitive than the results show, so we are generally happy with his overall performance.
Photo by Tony Leone, Dromo Photos
Day 1:
- Top 5 in Practice 1
- Hit a wall in Practice 2, major damage to the front end. PK worked his magic and got us back in time to qualify.
- Qualified P14 (out of 18) on a kart that pulled left which slowed us down on the many long straights unfortunately. But hey, we made qualifying!
- Heat 1: PK fixed the kart and we went from P14 to P7 in 5 laps before running into a driver on the hairpin who missed a shift. Kyle’s elbow took a beating and we got more kart damage, but “in PK we trust”
Day 2:
- Heat 2: Started P16 due to the DNF in Heat 1 but got a top 10 finish.
- Main: Started P10 and picked up a couple spots on the start, but mayhem ensued (at the hairpin again) when a bunch of karts got collected in front of him. Kyle was able to react and avoid hitting the karts in front but had no where to go so he had to stop the kart on the track. He then got run over from behind. Due to a competitor’s kart wheel being stuck under his radiator, it took the track workers a bit of time to get him “freed” so he ended up dead last in the field. Fought his way back up to finish the main in P12 though.
SKUSA and the City of Lancaster put on a great event. We had a shot at a top 5 finish and possibly a podium, but despite encountering not 1, not 2, but 3 incidents, we’re just happy we survived and are coming home with a beat up, but still useable kart! I was proud of him for keeping a cool head and not giving up. Patrick Kelly did an AMAZING job getting the kart fixed and dialed to remain competitive.
Overall, it was a great experience and a fantastic professional & festive street race atmosphere. He enjoyed waving to kids lined up around the fences who enthusiastically waved back.