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Jeff Braun reports:
The first day of racing at the WKA National kart races was very cold and overcast. The sun never came out and the high temperature was 45 degrees. This made for over 500 very cold kart drivers.
We had a warm up session for the HPV Jr. Sportsman class race at 7:30 am, but the track was so cold that we didn't learn anything. Colin started 12th out of 18 in the first qualifying heat. This is decided on by random draw. At the start he quickly grabbed 2 spots. The Jolly kart handling was the key to his ability to move forward and he picked off the next five karts to finish 5th, getting the last guy within 10 feet of the finish line.
After a gear change to improve low end acceleration, Colin started 7th in the second qualifying heat (inverted from the start of the first heat). Another great start saw Colin in fifth by Turn 2. Entering the fast left onto the back straight, a driver hit the curb and almost lost it directly in front of Colin. Colin braked to avoid him and spun on the still warming tires. He went back to 18th (last) and worked his way to 13th by the end.
As a result of his qualifying heat results Colin started the final (the only race that counts) in 7th. He moved to 5th by Turn 3 and was about to pass for 4th when the driver hit a curb and spun directly in front of him. Colin went for the grass and spun going to last place almost 10 seconds behind 17th place. For the next six laps he ran times 0.2 seconds faster than the race leader, and caught the back of the pack. In the last two laps Colin passed seven karts to finish 10th. The entire team, including Coello Racing was very happy with Colin's performance and his aggressive drive. There are big tire rubs down each side pods, and at each front corner of the chassis. The kart went through the war.
In 125 Shifter class Niki Coello in the Coello Racing Jolly kart qualified first (F1 style qualifying). He got jumped on the standing start and then two laps later got tangled with a back marker who did not know which way to go with the pack breathing down his neck and hit Niki. This bent the rear axle, but he hung on for 3rd. Mike Coello gave up his engine to his brother Niki after the warm up when the gear box broke on Niki's machine. This was the second engine problem and the team was out of spares relegating Mike to mechanic for Niki.
It is raining now (Saturday night) and will turn to sleet later. We intend to race two classes Sunday if the races are held.
Left to right in the photo: Niki changing the front wheel, Tony , and Jeff. Niki broke a gearbox in warm up, so all hands on deck to change the engine (with integral gearbox).
7 - Here is an exhibition class called Kid Kart for 5 to 7 year olds. No competing, just a chance to drive on the big tracks.
This is lap 10 of the 125cc shifter final. Niki Coello is third running with a bent rear axle. That's part of the NASCAR oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the background.