Lakeside Karting

As a little treat during the half term we decided to book the two boys in for some go-karting at Lakeside. They have only ever been once before which was some time ago now and due to their age they could only go on the little tots electric karts. However as they are now both over 8 and above the height limit they can drive the full on petrol karts that are capable of 45 mph. Given that they are both petrol heads we thought they would really enjoy this experience and we wasn't wrong!

On the journey up to Lakeside we were getting a million and one questions about how fast they go, how easy they are to control, how dangerous they are, what all the different coloured flags mean etc.etc. It was a mixture of nerves and excitement. Once we arrived at the Karting circuit we got the boys signed in and then race suits, gloves and balaclava's fitted. Next it was up to the briefing room to get some safety instructions and basic driving tips for about 10-15 minutes before heading down to the circuit.

Within no time at all the boys had their race helmets on and were in their Karts ready for the off. Brandon was dressed all in black and racing Kart Nr. 53, Joshua was dressed in black and yellow and was racing kart Nr. 60. Considering this is the fastest thing the boys have ever driven they both did extremely well. In the 15 minutes racing they both achieved 13 laps and Joshua was getting the better of "B" until around 3 minutes remaining when Brandon put in a quicker laptime beating Joshua's fastest by 0.6 of a second (so very close indeed). Joshua span out on one corner being a little right foot heavy and he also took a nasty shunt up the rear on a hairpin (by someone who broke way too late) resulting in him being pushed into the tire wall and suffering a stiff neck. Overall they two boys came 7th and 8th place out of a total of 12 racers.

After the boys finished their racing we let Holly have a go on the little electric kart circuit. At first she was all over the place like a typical woman driver, but she soon got the hang of it and had the whole circuit to herself to drive around. She actually only lasted about 5 minutes or so as every time she crossed the start line she would glance over at the boys playing on the bouncy castle and was clearly more interested in that than the karting.

Josh and Brandon kitted in their race suits and ready for the briefing.

Balaclavas on to wear under the helmets.

Down in pit lane and waiting to be called in to their kart.

Joshua speeding down the straight (the one in the yellow helmet, kart Nr. 60).

Joshua taking a great line through that corner.

Brandon was a natural at karting and wants to go again next weekend!

This was the hairpin that Joshua was shunted into the tire wall.

Another action shot of Brandon driving his kart.

Joshua trying to stick a move on Brandon taking him on the outside line.

Another action shot of Joshua driving.

15 minutes racing over and Joshua pulls in to the pits.

Soon followed by little Brandon.

The final score board showing Brandon with the slightly quicker lap and the boys placing 7th and 8th.

Brandon celebrates his quicker lap on top spot of the podium.

Holly getting to grips with the smaller electric karts.

Holly was a little ropey at first but soon got to grips with the karting.

Nice close up picture of Holly driving.

But she was distracted by the boys playing on the nearby bouncy castle.

And Holly comes across to take the checkered flag.

To end a really great afternoon at Lakeside Karting I managed to snap a lovely picture of the 3 kiddies.