NATSKA Round 3 – Clay Pigeon
Class 15 Junior Rotax – 15th October 2022
Harry takes the chequered flag in 11th place!
This weekend saw NATSKA Round 3 at Clay Pigeon Raceway, Dorchester, where the ever-changing weather kept everyone on their toes. With a mix of rain, clouds, and sunshine, teams were constantly second-guessing tyre choices—wets or slicks?
This was Harry’s third race as a novice, meaning he started at the back of the grid in a packed field of 28 drivers. It wasn’t the smoothest start to the day, but he showed strong pace throughout the heats.
Heat 1 – DNF (Oiled-up spark plug)
After two rolling laps, Harry’s race was over before it had even begun. His kart came to a stuttering stop halfway around the track, forcing him to retire with a DNF due to an oiled-up spark plug.
Heat 2 – P13 (Fastest Lap!)
Harry got off to a strong start, working his way through the pack to finish 13th out of 28. He even set the fastest lap! However, the race was red-flagged midway through as the skies opened, making conditions too dangerous for drivers still running on slick tyres.
Heat 3 – P10 (First Time on Wets)
For the first time in Rotax, Harry took to the track on wet tyres and put in a solid performance, climbing from the back of the grid to 10th place. The race saw multiple Battenburg flags due to crashes, slowing the field down but allowing him to gain valuable experience in the wet.
Heat 4 – P9 (Crazy Weather Conditions!)
A real test of adaptability! The race started dry, with everyone on slicks, but partway through, the rain returned, sending the karts sliding all over the place. Despite starting from the back, Harry managed to bring it home in 9th place, with more Battenburg flags adding to the drama.
Final Result: 11th Overall
Another great performance at Clay Pigeon, proving Harry’s ability to handle tough conditions and changing track surfaces. Plenty of progress made—onwards and upwards to the next round!
