KART S. S. #5 Waco, Texas August 5-6

By: White Motorsports Racing

(August 7th, 2006) -- Once again Waco was an exciting trip.

Friday - To start with, we actually got to Waco at a decent hour on Friday night. Once checking in to the hotel we went out to the track to see if any one was there. As it turned out our friends David and James Cypert beat us there by 2 hours.

Saturday - Once we woke up, late I might add, (our wake up call didn't come) we hurried to the track to make final preparations to the kart.

During the first couple rounds of practice, I wasn't driving to my capabilities what so ever. I was overdriving the kart and wearing out the practice tires for no reason. After a motivational talk from dad, and some serious thinking, I decided I better get it together and I better do it quick. The next practice I picked up half a second. Not bad for someone who hasn't sat in a kart in 6 weeks.

Throughout the day we slowly made some BIG changes to the kart but it still didn't have a good "feel". On the last practice, I was on lap 3 going into the last and fastest corner of the track when I spun out for the 3rd! time that day. I have never spun 3 times in an entire weekend! So I was defiantly pushing my self to find that "ragged edge". The reason for my third and final spin was the rear tires were WORN OUT. In the pits after I exited the track, we could see the cords on the left rear tire and NO trace of the wear holes on the right rear.

Saturday, after practice we went back to the cyperts hotel and swam before going out to dinner with John and Irene Rose. I have to say it was ABSOLUTELY the BEST steak I have ever had.

Sunday - After once again not getting a wake-up call, we arrived to the track later. After doing some thinking last night at the hotel we had some changes we wanted to make to try and get the kart good working again.

After trying some set-up changes for the two hours of practice we got, we only made some very, very slight changes. For qualifying we were 3 tenths off of, Erin Sims and ahead of Irene rose. We weren't too worried about the bad qualifying and our kart was better suited for the long runs not a 3 lap
session.

The pre-final was somewhat exciting but just an appetizer as to what was to come (more on that later). We got the green flag and slotted nicely into second place. For the first few laps I pushed really hard, trying to stay with Erin, I just couldn't do it. Her kart was set-up near perfect, as she pulled away. I noticed the temperature was getting hot so I richened up the carb, used my arm to force air into the radiator, and backed off about 3-4 tenths a lap. Then Erin made probably her first noticeable mistake all year in this class. She ran over the curb in the hairpin which knocked her chain off and bent the sprocket. I passed her for the lead as she was forced to a DNF in the heat race.

I hate winning any race, no matter the importance, like that. I rather race hard for the win rather than take one because someone else had a DNF, but I had no choice but to take it and the first place starting spot that came with it.

Now here is when things get interesting. During the Rotax Max final, you could see some clouds moving in. I thought that was great because last time we raced in Waco the same thing happened and the kart was absolutely on a rail. Now this time rain came with it. It was just a brief summer shower
although it prompted us to get out the rains just incase we would race a wet final.

At the time I wanted to load up and take the pre-final as the final results, the officials didn't see it that way. Luckily after a 45 minute delay we were able to resume racing with the TaG cadet class. One class before we were up. Since the race was delayed, they decided to cut the finals in half to help people get on the road as quick as possible.

Ok the final, take a deep breath because HERE WE GO! Those were my thoughts right before we took the green flag. Going into T1 I was first with Erin giving me a nice little bump to let me know she was there. Oh and trust me she was there alright. For the next 4 laps she hounded me every corner, but
I was in front and I wasn't to be denied. On L4 going into the final turn I was protecting the inside so she decided to go around the long way. Well I was still there at the corner entry, and she came down on me, I promptly held my line and contact was made with her going off the track half way. Then back to T1 she once again let me know she was there with a little "love tap". Now remember folks this is on a semi-dry track that is also slicker than snot. We kept on racing, for a little while then the white flag came out. I thought ok here we go, and sure enough she made her move into T1. Well ok, but I did a simple cross over, a move I have preformed probably 15 times before, CLEANLY. But this time there was contact once again. I was HARD on the breaks, with the kart dancing around. I honestly tried everything I could to get the kart "woahed up" but the back end came around on me, we made contact again and I got going first to take the win. As soon as I crossed the finish line I didn't know what to think. We made pretty big contact twice, but both times the race director was standing right there. I know both times I didn't do it on purpose but I wasn't sure what everyone else thought. As soon as we weighed, I tried to tell Erin that I didn't do what I did in T1 on purpose. I didn't get the chance to however.

While we were loading up, Erin's father, Steve, made a comment to me that I didn't understand one bit. So I just kept my mouth shut until I was finished with what I was doing. A few minutes later, my dad and I had a civil conversation were I told Steve the honest truth. Weather he understands or not is up to him.

White Motorsports Racing would like to thank all their sponsors for their continued support to their team as well as to racing. Those include MiSi Racing Engines, RPMotorsports, Walters Web Design, and Photos ext. We look forward to being able to advertise and give all the recognition we can to our current sponsors in the 2006 racing season.

For more information on the WMR Team please visit www.WhiteMotorsportsRacing.com.