Today was round three of the BMKR Rotax 2023 Championship. As always Saturday was a test day and Sunday is race day. We headed down to the circuit Friday evening determined to crack this track, especially after such a successful weekend only 5 days before with our clean-sweep and breaking the lap record ay Lydd.
Saturday went well. The kart was fast and Jacob did a great job. He was setting some personal best times and when we had some rain he really showed what he can do on a damp track with slicks.
Sunday prep was exactly the same as normal, 07:30 and the kart is out and being set-up ready before driver briefing and sitting there patiently for qualifying. Qualifying started, we were 4th out of the pre-grid and after scrubbing in our new tyres Jacob was pushing from the start getting quicker and quicker as the session went on.
We finished qualifying on the front row in second place. The top three had identical lap times. This was our best qualifying result at Bayford Meadows. Our only worry was we would be starting on the outside of the track and that is never ideal here.
Heat one, made a good start, had to drive around the outside through turn one, up the straight into turn two and eventually got onto the racing line by turn three, slotting in 4th position. We kept up with the pack but unfortunately got punted from behind on the last lap and lost a position so finished 5th.
I started 5th in the pre-final, the pole setter jumped the start and that created some havoc around us, the same driver that rammed me in the first race did the same but unfortunately for him he smashed off his radiator, side pod and bent his steering column. I was pitched into the air and took quite a wallop, we thought our race was over but due to the false start the grid had been stopped at the back of the circuit as the pole setter was sent to the back and that give us time to quickly get around and in position for the race re-start. We were lucky the kart wasn’t damaged. Jacob drove really well and finished the pre-final in 4th.
This means we start the grand final on the second row in 4th, which is our best grand final start at Bayford. As before Jacob made a good start, quickly got over onto the racing line and was 4th out of the first corner. He drove well and as it started to rain he closed up to the leaders. The top two took themselves out halfway through the race and that elevated Jacob to second. He ran wide and got overtaken on the penultimate lap dropping him to third, which is where he crossed the line, as great drive and brilliant result.
This was our first podium finish at Bayford and our first bit of silverware. Jacob drove well all weekend and thoroughly deserved his podium position.
After two great weekends of racing we now have two weeks off before it all starts over again.
