Karting team put through their paces before season begins

February 12, 2012 | ONLINE ONLY
Alex Maunders

This week Formula One has returned from its winter slumber to put their 2012 machines through their paces at the Jerez circuit in Spain. However, while they have only just begun, the University of York Karting Team was at the Rye-House circuit just North of London for the final pre-season test of the British University Karting Championship.

York has taken part in every championship since its formation in 2002 with varying fortunes, and although snow and ice surrounded the circuit testing continued as normal.

This Wednesday’s test was attended by team captain Alex Maunders and new drivers Kai von Heydebreck, Chris Timperley and James Wickham.

Von Heydebreck immediately felt the difference, saying, “these karts are so much faster than what I have driven before… they accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds!”

Timperley agreed, adding, “Today is my birthday and I could not have wished for a better present, these karts require such a unique driving style because of the higher speeds”.

Wickham, though, was keen to point out an anomaly with these high performance machines: “In a normal kart you brake, turn and then accelerate through a corner. These require a delicate application of the throttle on turn in to make it through the corner”.

Team captain Maunders was very impressed with his new crop of drivers, commenting, “They have done fantastically today, the key is control. In a race of 34 so many people spin off the circuit, with these karts there is no clutch so they stall and you have to wait to be restarted. If you can simply stay on the track you will do very well.”

As for the whole team, Alex said prospects were looking good especially with the first race being held in Teesside this Wednesday, the clubs ‘home’ circuit.

If you see yourself as the next Michael Schumacher or Jenson Button, the club offers a range of fortnightly events to cater for all abilities.

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