Well folks... we have wrapped up our rookie season in The Utah Karting Championship Series. We have spent a season learning the ins and outs of what is truly a very challenging sport. It is unfortunate when many people think of Go Karting, which they still relate to go carting with a "c," that they picture yard carts or the rediculous little two seater sand buggies with a 5 hp Briggs and Straton motor. The racing that we do, in real Karting, is REAL Racing!

We ended up having a typical rookie season filled with ups and downs. Unfortunately, it seemed that the downs were more common than the ups for us this season. That is OK, however. We needed to learn the good and the bad sooner or later. We feel that we are a better team and a more prepared team having gone through the trials and tribulations of our rookie season.

Now... to the final two races of the season. Saturday's race was run "in the wet." This was a great experience and we actually did quite well considering it was our first run on a course with standing and running water in various sections. We were certainly not alone in our inexperience as many, many other local racers were getting their first taste of running on Bridgestone YJP's. Of all that we had learned, probably most important of all that we had learned previously was to stay off of the regular racing line. Man I tell you... wet rubber on the normal race line turns to something between ice and a patch of oil as it relates to grip when you are racing a wet track.

We finished in the top 10 in both Heats and in the final on Saturday. Although I felt like a popsickle by the end of the day with temperatures in the low 40's and pouring rain... I did stop shivering after a nice hot shower and a few hours under a blanket catching a movie.

Sunday's race was a day filled with frustration. We arrived at the track to find two inches of slush on the track and the sun just beginning to peek through the clouds. Within 2 hours the track had begun to dry and we were ready to run and finish the season strong. WRONG!

Heat 1 began with a tire valve stem problem that prevented us from completing the shortened 7 lap heat. The Qualifying and Pre-Main were no different. During pre-race checks, while on the grid, we broke the ground wire connection to the Yuasa 6,5 battery and could not get it replaced in time to get a timed lap in with the shortened schedule. (Due to the weather we were running 7 lap Heats, Qualifying and the Pre-Main) By the time the Final rolled around we had not turned a single lap at speed on one of the most technical track set-ups which we run.

In the interest of safety and with the Championship still undecided, we made the decision to not make a run in the Final. I was so pissed off at how the day had gone from one minor problem to another that I felt I was a danger not only to myself but also I did not want my misplaced aggression to interfere with anyone else's Championship run. So we decided to call it a season.

I will fill you in on the final point standings and our place in them as soon as we are posted. We met many of our goals for the season and missed a few as well. Over all... we are happy to have our rookie season behind us. Now it is time to put in hours of seat time to improve and to become more consistent before our first race in the Ice Breaker Rotax Challenge Series in March of 2008. WE BELIEVE!

More updates to come as we are able to get the info we are waiting for.