Behind the helmets there is some steely resolve, and a degree of hope of not coming last by too much!

Karting Madness at Braybrook has a great track layout allowing for some good speed but not allowing for a complete lap at full throttle all the way around. Overtaking takes a bit of skill too.

The format was one qualifying session for each of the two groups. From that two races groups were created, fast and, er, less fast. The standing start from a grid formation put a premium on quick reactions and clean pass through the first couple of bends.

I started 4th and finished 3rd without knowingly overtaking anyone - which sounds like an intelligence test puzzle but a unseen spin out in front of me gifted me a place.

For reference, the outright lap record is 34.4.

Regardless of ability, everyone had a great time and came away with pride intact.

Some of our members. myself included, brought some Juniors along who did very well in a separate "Rookie" session in lower powered rookie karts. 1, 2 and 7 being "our" Juniors. Lap record for rookie karts is 44.4 seconds.

Lawrence Glynn #3