Super One Season Review (2012)

First KF3 race – just outside top 10

Sam finished just outside the top 10 as a guest driver in a British Championship round of KF3, the premier UK junior category held in Wales.

At speeds approaching 90mph on the fast flowing Glan-y-Gors circuit in Wales, the 17 year old JCB Academy student was racing against well-funded stars of the future supported by F1 teams and foundations.

Racing with twice the power he is used to, Sam explained “I loved the speed from the 125cc engine but the grip from these tyres was just incredible. It was really physical and my fitness was certainly tested in the long final races“.

From a p14 grid slot in the grand final Sam got a good start, running in 10th place for much of the race, overtaking several well respected drivers along the way.  Due to the physical effort required due to the grip levels, performance waned towards the end of the final and Sam was relieved of a top 10 finish on the last lap by Harrison Newey, son of Red Bull F1 designer Adrian.

Father Neil concluded “It’s an amazing result. We were not competing on equal terms, these guys are spending more on just tyres than our whole annual karting budget, and yet Sam is still disappointed! He beat several established names and three F1 backed prodigies. If only we had the funding.”

“We have some exciting opportunities ahead before deciding on the future” Sam added “I’d like to thank Litchfield Motorsport for this opportunity“.

Sam tests KF3 with Euro Championship boys

In at the deep end!! Sam spent a rare sunny day testing the mighty KF3 class alongside a world class field of juniors preparing for the forthcoming European Championship round at PFI. KF3 is one of the top British and international foundation level karting categories. The 125cc formula, capable of speeds up to 85mph, is a CIK sanctioned class found on the race programmes of all major European and world events, providing junior racers with a route into international level karting.

Whilst the extra speed was exhilarating, Sam found the grip of the super sticky tyres breathtaking and came away from the day totally exhausted and aching, full of admiration for the regular competitiors, and knowing he has some work to do in the gym!

Sam said “I’d like to thank Dave Litchfield for providing the opportunity for todays test.

Statement regarding exclusion from SuperOne round 3

Following our exclusion from the third round of SuperOne at Larkhall last week due to a non-compliant engine exhaust port, we have decided not to compete in the remaining rounds of the 2012 Junior TKM National Championship. Whilst we accept the decision made by the Clerk of the Course, the penalty is so severe that our championship is now over. We do however, look forward to racing again as a junior at the TKM Festival and Kartmasters Grand Prix, in Litchfield Motorsport colours, before completing the year in a senior class yet to be decided.

Excluded at Larkhall SuperOne

Slicks in the rain shortly before exclusion

Sam’s season came to a crashing halt at the Larkhall round 3, when a shock exclusion from the pre-final on a technical infringement resulted in exclusion from the meeting and a mandatory zero points for the championship. This after an amazing fightback from a weather affected qualifying position of 24th back up to 2nd place in the pre-final – and on slick tyres in the wet. Due to the severity of the exclusion penalty, we are reviewing our future in Junior TKM S1.

Sam WINS Super One Round 2

May 2012

Sam Randon, winner Edgars Hyundai Superone British National Karting Championship Round 2

Washout at Super One

April 2012

Changeable weather played a significant part in Sams weekend as he became the nearly man of the first round. A rain shower on lap one of qualifying scuppered Sams hopes as he was last to leave the dummy grid. A storming race in heat 1 from p24 up to 5th was neutralised in heat 2 by a massive first corner smash as he hit a stationery kart left in the middle of the track.

The weather played a role again in the pre-final, with a rapidly drying track leaving competitors agonising over tyre choice. The Litchfield team made a very late call for slicks and frantic activity just got the tyres fitted with literally seconds to spare. “It was an inspired call but agonisingly late. On a grid of 30 karts we were the only ones on slicks and fellow competitors all shook their head in envy. Victory in the bag, or so we thought.”

From his lowly p18 grid slot on a drying track, Samwas nearly three seconds per lap faster than anyone else and easily drove up to second place within four laps, but as he closed in on the leader a rain cloud burst and soaked the track again. Inexperienced competitors on wet tyres crashed out in the deluge of hail and rain but somehow Sam kept it on the track, despite losing places at every turn, eventually finishing where he started, back in 18th.

Damage limitation was the order of the day for the grand final under blue skies. This time it stayed dry and Samwas flying, making it to fourth after seven laps, but then he ran slightly wide, put a wheel on the damp kerb, and was instantly in the tyre barrier.

We must dust ourselves down and come back fighting for round 2 at Whilton Mill.

Paul Di Resta presents the most expensive number plate ever!

January 2012

At the Autosport International Motorsport show held in Birmingham’s NEC, Formula One’s latest British sensation Paul Di Resta presented the top 15 seeded drivers with their championship prizes. After a long period of no racing – Christmas, New Year and A level exams, it was great to meet up with racing friends again as we go into 2012 full of optimism. Sam collected his 10th place award from the Force India star who took a very similar route through karting and Super One. Congratulations to all the winners and good luck to those moving onto other things!

So the fight is on for 2012 Junior TKM National Championship. Watch this space …….