Day 7: Tenth and sixth as the individual Worlds began

Day one of the individual Kart World Championship (KWC) at Vandel Kart in Denmark is done. After a difficult opening race I recovered to finish tenth, then followed it up with sixth in race two. That puts me 67th in the standings with 48 points after two of eight races. The top 48 go through to the semifinals, so I need more strong results to climb.

The day featured two races on the classic layout. On paper, the opening heat was one of the toughest in my schedule, with a very strong group of drivers. The pace was much better in the second race — but a slow pit stop and a tough incident near the end cost me positions. A solid start to the championship, though the feeling is that there was more available.

Race 1: from 14th on the grid to tenth

The first race was packed with quick drivers and was every bit as difficult as expected. I qualified 14th out of 17, which I was not happy with. I struggled to find rear grip and started overdriving the kart. That caused too much sliding through several corners — and in a field this strong, you simply cannot afford those mistakes.

The start itself was reasonably good. I chose to complete the mandatory pit stop early, on lap two or three, and the stop went well. From there it was about putting together consistent lap times.

Once penalties had been applied to some of the other drivers, I was classified tenth. Coming from 14th on the grid in such a difficult heat, that is an acceptable result, even if I would obviously have liked to be higher up.

Race 2: podium pace, but a messy finish

Qualifying for race two was much better and I set the fifth-fastest time. There was still a little more to find, but overall it was a good lap and a position I was fairly happy with.

The start was slightly messy, but I held on to fifth. I then chose to pit immediately after the first lap, hoping to come out in clear air and avoid getting stuck behind drivers who might start defending.

The stop itself was not good enough, though. I came in slightly too fast and had to slow down in the middle of the pit lane, which cost roughly one second. The driver behind me stopped on the following lap and came out right next to me. Instead of both of us focusing on quick lap times, we started fighting, which probably cost us two or three seconds to the leaders.

Eventually I got a gap and could run in clear air. With around two laps remaining I was still fifth and had a really good result coming together. Then I was hit from behind in a tough overtaking move, missed the corner completely and dropped two positions.

I crossed the line seventh, but after the stewards reviewed the incident the other driver was given a five-second penalty. That promoted me to sixth.

Feeling after the day

A tenth and a sixth make a solid start to the championship, especially considering how tough the first heat was. At the same time, I feel the pace in race two was good enough for more — maybe even enough to fight for a podium.

After two races I sit 67th with 48 points. The top 48 progress to the semifinals, so I need some really strong results over the coming races to climb the table. My remaining heat times are in the schedule on the championship page.

What I take with me

• The pace in race two was clearly better.
• My qualifying laps need to be smoother and more controlled.
• The pit stops have to be sharper.
• Top-five finishes are needed to close in on the semifinal spots.
• The goal stands: fighting for a podium in one of the races.