2004 Stockton IKF

The race went well considering I couldn't catch a break all day. Last weekend I qualified 2nd and finished 3rd at the Stockton Club Race. I noticed the past few races I had a little trouble with the front end of my kart. My crew chief put the kart on the scales and found the front end was off 20 lbs! He made some adjustments and we were good to go.

At last IKF race in Atwater they gave us two qualifying sessions, approx. 6 laps each time. For some reason they decided to change qualifiying on the day of the race and only gave us two qualifying laps. You came out on the track, flagman threw the green, white and then the checkered flag. You were done. That was ok, because the kart ran well and I felt good about it. Then while I was at the scales they announced on the radio, "Kart number 5 had to qualify again!" Darn! Oh well, my tires were still hot and if I could do that well the last session, maybe I could do better the next.

The grid man put me right behind the last group in my class to qualify. There was a fast guy up front, then a slow guy and then me. (they put us all out on the track at the same time) I figured if I gave the slow guy some room, there is no way I could catch him in two laps... well, I was wrong! I came around and caught him right after the warm up lap and had to pass him!! I had hoped my last lap would have been good, but when they announced my qualifying, I was 11th!! Yuck!! If they had picked up my first qualifying, I would have been in the top 6.

The kart felt good, motor felt good and I was ready. I've been starting mid pack or in the back lately and felt, oh well, looks like I'll have some fun. 1st heat, I started 11th right next to me was my friend Nate. While I was waiting on the grid the guy in front of me looked back and said, "Oh, Carol, I know you won't take me out in turn one". I said look buddy, just get though turn one and let's race.

Super Sportsman starts are rough... I knew I had to be on top of it. They made us restart 3 times..... I was sure they would throw the flag by the forth start. Our tires were hot so this would help... we were all ready to go! The green flag dropped and we were off full blast into turn one,.... When I entered turn one, I tried to miss the cluster and spun out. I should have nailed the guy in front of me.... But I tried to avoid the pile of karts by hitting the inside curb and spun. Off they went, I did get back up to 9th place however. I passed quite a few karts as well as passing the karts that crashed along the way.

Finally, the main event, I started in 10th spot. As we approached entering the straight away everyone was on the throttle.. Here we go again.... Around one more time... the guys were pushing to slow the pack down.... 2nd time around... pressure was on. Everyone was on it and I knew I could not back off the guy in front... I shoved my nose up his rear bumper without leaving any room at all. I was on the outside hoping I could creep in to take the inside turn..... Well everyone was shoving and the whole outside row was getting shoved off the track, I saw a hole and jumped in and out I came in 5th spot!! YEA!! As I came around, entering the front straight... the flagman had thrown the red flag!! Karts must have flipped. What was odd is that flagman threw the yellow and red flag at the same time. I almost killed my motor and stopped on the track. Anytime a red flag is thrown, you slow down and stop. Looking ahead the karts out in front, started to re-grid.... Even all the guys who never even made it around the first lap were lining up. No one stopped the race.... We just gridded up again!!!

Ok, the race was on, we restarted all out of position, but I wasn't backing off... I think I was in 6th or 7th.... Anyway, It was going to be nasty... I just wanted to get threw the mess and race... the karts were not even lined up correctly. All I knew is the guys I was supposed to be behind, and I lined up behind them. Green flag dropped, and I ended up coming out of turn one in 7th spot without crashing!! Cool..... I went three laps and it the back we were a freight train... It was awesome. Not much room in between any of us.... In the back I went in too hot and spun out!! I hardley ever do that....I ended up in 16th spot!! I got back on the track... and fought all the way back thought the field to 8th spot!! I passed so many karts it felt like I was reeling them in one by one. I had a great time passing people... I was on a march to the front. I wish I had about 5 more laps... I think I could have caught up to 4th spot. It was an awesome race!!

Chassis and motor are working out very well. Thanks to Team MMI, A Touch of Mesquite Specialty Catering, Young's Customs Plastics, Powerworks, Goneracin' USA, and Bobby's Express!

See you at the races!
Carol Brown