The 'Biggie' Weekend @ Bayford & Shenny

The Big weekend

With Sam and Zach at Shenington and Harry, Will and Jack taking part in the concluding round of the F6 Championship at Bayford Meadows, this weekend was always going to be the ‘biggie’ and with Will taking part in both championships the Attreed logistics were going to be put to the test.

F6 Round 7 - Saturday

With the more relaxed and welcoming atmosphere of the F6 Championships, they have been the main base for driver mentoring for the team this year – providing a great mix of competitive racing and visits to lots of tracks with the opportunity for our novice drivers to experience race days, setup and all the challenges that go with it. This Saturday saw Jordan Cane turning up to mentor the lads for their last outing of the year and the boys were looking forward to sharing some time with the US Team Pelfrey driver who has done nothing less than astonish everyone with his raw ability, hoping some of that talent rubbed off on them the lads disappeared into the cool morning air to look at the Sittingbourne circuit.

Harry was clearly nervous despite it being made clear that he only had to drive round the track to secure the overall Championship and Open Cadet Class Champion, Will was there to secure the Cadet class and ensure that Harry was supported all the way, Jack Clements was there for his first race as a novice and was hopeful of taking away his first trophy as well.

Timed qualifying was not the best for Harry, concerns about grip did not help his mindset and while we changed tyres ‘Hazza’ went off to watch the other classes while we made a few changes, Will on only his second visit to the track was fourth quickest but confident of improvement as his dad dived into the teams directed changes, Jack came back with a great smile, good first time laps and the teams visiting Bambino Freddie La Rosa gave everyone some good advice and went off to the Bambino track for tuition with Jordan.

Heat 1 was a busy affair with Harry diving for the front, Will pushing hard with him but after dropping the wheel wide at turn 1 Harry was left spinning across the kerb, he kept it rolling to finish last but one! I had a quick chat with Harry and sent him off for a drink, he returned much more positive and in H2 Will and Harry drove out to the front and this was truly the battle of the year with all the cadets on the same piece of tarmac, Jack was now settled as the quickest novice of the two in attendance and having a great day, Wills brother could be heard screaming his support as Will lead the race for several laps and Harry dropping it wide again during some full on wheel to wheel kept his head in and brought it home behind Will.

Thankfully the final was a little less ‘active’ but all the lads across the field drove brilliantly, Will had a fantastic battle with Harry at the front but after losing a couple of places following 50:50 contact played a blinder to race back into contention and was the fastest in the final, Will for me was the driver of the day and fully deserved his Cadet Class Championship, Harry stayed at the front, probably could have been a little further in front but admitted being “terrified” of chucking it but he kept it on the track and drove to home to sew up the series…. As he crossed the line in the background we could see Jack coming through to grab the best novice cup……..phew it was over!

This meeting could have been won by Dillon or Harry and not withholding any respect for Wills achievements both Harry and Dillon have been wheel to wheel from the beginning, both lads are far better drivers following the variation of tracks the F6 Championship provides and we were so pleased that they crossed the line so closely, it reflected their determination and great spirit throughout the year, Will of course goes from strength to strength and I think had he of been able to join the series earlier could well have turned it upside down, all the lads involved, and we have had S1 drivers and strong Kent based racers involved, have been great competition and all have won well deserved trophy’s, it’s a great championship for new starters and has great atmospherics – from Veneno to all the cadet drivers involved “Well Done”

Freddie La Rosa got his 3 laps at the end and following his training with his new fan Jordan Cane was on top of the world, with the lads looking after him all day Freddie was invited up to the podium and got a very special cap that only real lap record holders have….and his kart signed too!

Shenington on Sunday

A straightforward test at Shenny sadly concluded with Sam being flipped and a free trip to the paddock in the ambulance, he was however up and running before tea and both lads had progressed well through the day.

Race day saw Sam nursing a bruise on the neck which after a discussion with dad and the team removed him from the grid, he wanted to watch the racing as well as support Zach and Will so we engaged his dad as an extra mechanic and off we went for the track walk.

With Will still smiling from his F6 success we had little chance to set him up but as we went through the day we were making headway and actually really well, Zach was also improving and showing good pace, in fact both lads were now showing well in the higher midfield area generally running 10th to 13th, not bad in a 28 grid class.

Will having not been there on the Saturday managed to Qualify 21st from two of three heats and Zach was 17th which was the lead novice position, all good considering Will had missed the Saturday heat whilst he travelled up from Kent.

The final saw Zach and Will running 8th and 11th during the first couple of laps, an immense start saw both drivers with a gap behind them and making ground on the front group albeit slowly but we were going forward, lap 6 saw Zach pushed a little wide and in the mayhem that followed with the four karts Will and Zach both ended up making contact, Will got lucky at that point but Zach got put off the track and was left toward the back of the pack…a sad change for Zach as he had progressed so much all day and was easily the best novice, Will finished 12th and Zach 23rd but following a discussion with the clerk Will was knocked 5 places for gaining places following contact, all in all a great day with the wrong results but we have moved forward so October will see a solid session and of course Sam will be back!

Well done to all for a truly great weekend, get well soon Sam and to Jordan, Grant and Freddie thanks for all the support, we could not have done it without you