I’ve put this race report off long enough. When the weekend and racing experience goes all to hell, it’s not very fun writing about it...
The U.S. Rotax Grand Nationals took place at New Castle Motorsports Park in Indiana, July 13-17. The track is 1 mile long with two very long and fast straights where drafting, believe it or not, actually comes into play. It’s just a great karting facility with a restaurant, bar, and VIP lounges.
It was hot and humid all week. Not gonna lie, it really kicked my ass. Though rain never played a role in the racing action, it rained almost every night with a couple big thunderstorms that pounded the area.
Even with the rain, the track just builds up a huge amount of rubber. This was a new experience for me not only driving but also setting up the chassis. The track constantly changed giving everyone a huge challenge. I know I’m better off gaining that experience. It was just difficult in the heat of the moment and very frustrating. My goal going in was to finish in the top 15, although I knew it would be a stretch to get a finish like that in only my third year of karting.
Let’s face it, my experience is lacking considerably when it comes to these big races. Just getting used to the race format is hard to handle. There was basically one day of official practice, qualifying, 3 heat races where we had to start in our qualifying position each time, a pre final where we would start on the average finishing position of our heat races and at the end a final where we would start where we finished the pre final. It’s just a huge amount of racing. The key to success is just getting through all of the heats without wrecking or getting caught up in someone else’s mess.
I finished the last practice session Wednesday night not really knowing what to expect going into qualifying Thursday. I was definitely doubting my chassis setup and tire pressures.
Yep that hurt and a huge ego blow. Qualified 35th out of 43 karts. I ran a 1:06.5 while the pole setter threw down a blistering fast 1:04.9. Do work son! I had a lot of ground to make up...I’m just not a good qualifier but there was still a lot of racing to do. Anyway I went out for the first heat race Thursday afternoon determined to improve, put my head down, and just race. Due to my underwhelming qualifying performance, I started my first heat race 17th out of 21. I got a freaking awesome start and went to work passing the other dorks.
Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta (ok, a midpack gangsta, ha!)...finished 12th out of 21 and made up ground compared to the front runners. Confidence was high and in my mind I was moving in the right direction. With Thursday’s action over I was looking forward to Friday.
I went to the track Friday morning focused and determined to improve throughout the day. I just had 2 heat races to get through. Again, I started 17th out of 21 in the second heat and got another amazing start. By the end of the 1st lap I had charged like crazy to 11th. Flyin high and feeling good. But...(there’s always a but):
DNF should be my F’ing middle name. Disaster happened. Halfway through the second lap, I was making a pass to get in the top 10. I was inside the dude on a turn when some Dilbert driving over his head decided to make it three wide. He hit the curbing while using me as his brake. I was now the meat in this cluster sandwich. With the contact, it pushed me into the guy on the outside and my right rear tire went over his left front. I somehow saved it into the grass never letting off the go pedal and made my way back on track. Pissed off and with the kart feeling fine I pushed on...for 2 more corners.
Unknowingly, through all that contact and off-road romp, it ripped off the lower radiator hose dumping all the water. No water equals overheating engine. I stuck the ever reliable Rotax. Blowed it up good too! Crank, rod, piston, cylinder, and power valve are all toast. And the case halves are probably warped. Not for sure yet but it might be a total loss. I’m not exactly doing this on a shoestring budget but I have my limitations. Most everyone in attendance has 1 or 2 backup chassis and motors. I don’t. The cheapest anyone would rent me a motor was $700 for the remaining 3 races. F that.
Weekend and racing over early again. Complete bummer! This was my first Grand Nats and I learned a few things. Overall a lot of challenges and disappointment but also a lot of good things to take home. I now know I’ve got the race craft to compete with the big dogs and came out a faster and better racer, but...I'm not sure I can or want to compete with the money being thrown around on freaking karting in these type of events. Not to mention teams with multiple factory mechanics and NASCAR type haulers full of spares. People are just out for blood. Everyone's front bumper was bashed in due to all the bumping! One kid even broke his arm and multiple people left the track in an ambulance. I guess that’s what happens when the top 3 in my class get to punch tickets to the World Finals in Italy.
So what’s next? I dunno. My motor is scrap metal relegated to a wall ornament. Either buck up and buy a new motor or find a used one. For now I’m sitting on the sidelines, again. Frustrating year for sure! No video, they wouldn’t allow helmet cams.
Your friend and my favorite,
Morgan
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