Wet Will @ Whilton

We turned out to test at Whilton last Saturday knowing the Sunday weather was dreadful, with Will not having raced in the wet this was going to be a development weekend and Will went into test session one confident and right on the money, in fact his F6 experience of varying tracks is starting to show now as he took it easy and using the given line he worked away to be one of the faster lads in midfield then we went off to session 2 and......he was driven over by an over eager “racer” in a hurry to catch up with his mates and having driven over Will’s arm and thumb pretty much ruined the rest of the test day sadly.

Will managed to get out for the last two sessions but his confidence had taken a pounding so we gave him the best tips to help toward race day and enjoyed watching him work hard to catch up, he was enjoying the track so not the greatest test but a start at least.

Race day saw the sun.......at first!

Practice was simple, 3 laps then a scrabble to set the kart up as the blue turned to grey and the drizzle become that awful constant driving rain that you just know is not going away...and it didn’t!

Heat 1 saw Will have a great start, but just after turn 2 heading up the hill the traffic parted in front of him to reveal a cadet facing sideways and try as hard as he could Will couldn’t avoid the lad, luckily both were fine but that concluded H1 and the team headed off for the hammer and crowbars.

H2 saw a steady drive, with so little test and track time the gear needed adjusting but Will came in ahead of several others and at last walked away smiling looking forward to heat 3

H3 and the rain was coming down persistently heavy, 3 laps in and the engine seemed to cough and die, Will persevered got it back into the pits for a check but it seemed “fluffy” (described by Si) a heavy revving session later and Will returned to the track but something was amiss so off we went to soak everything in “WD”

The Final got underway and Will took off with some great pace and with strong tyres left following his journey so far he overtook 4 karts around the outside of “Christmas” and set off down the hill where the fuel pump failed!

So a weekend at Whilton Mill overshadowed by a fair few elements, it happens of course but this was just a sad combination and poor Will did everything he could to “roll” with it and carry on, Wills positive start and pace around people he races against at “Shenny” is something he can take away but I reckon he will leave the rain for now up near Daventry!

Coming back from being driven over at such a young age takes courage, perseverance when the odds are well and truly against you reflects Wills tremendous character, he is a winner in waiting without a doubt and like the team he moved on very quickly........in fact round about lap 2 of the final enjoying a natter with the marshal at post 8 he had already left Whilton behind, it doesn’t come like this very often of course but when it does the better lads will always shine in spirit and despite being disappointed he was already looking forward to Lydd this Saturday......we haven’t mentioned Operation Stack to him yet, for the time being probably best not J

See you out there and keep it well and truly flat!