On form, on foam

Well, we’ve cracked the rib problem. The Bengio rib protector is doing its job. And even though Kate still needs to dose up on paracetamol before hitting the track, the level of pain is reducing, and speed and endurance on the track is increasing.

In fact, at last weekend’s MVKC championship race at Buckmore, Kate was thrilling the crowds with audacious and daring moves. She was flying. She was visibly pulling away from drivers after overtakes, and she simply stormed up the hill past the clubhouse as though nothing in the world could stop her. Paul Babington, official photographer at Buckmore, and the chap taking photos as Kate made a superb inside overtake on the last lap to take fifth place, said “she is certainly on the pace now, one to watch for sure”. Gary Coombes, team principal for ARD said it was the best he’d ever seen her race.

So, was it the kart setup, or perhaps the newly rebuilt engine, or the tips that GMS had been giving her whilst we worked on the kart in GMS’s awning? Nope. It was really down to Kate’s driving… and the game-changing piece of foam that GMS's Mollie Griffiths gave to Kate before heat 2.

With ribs held securely, and Kate’s pace increasing, the higher G-forces and Buckmore poundings are bruising Kate's hips, big time. I don’t think anyone makes a lady’s karting seat, and men don’t have hips. And Kate’s hips were literally black and blue after the qualifying and heat 1.

Fortunately (or unfortunately), Mollie Griffiths has the same problem, and she pulled out her secret weapon, cushion foam. “Take a piece of this and stick it down your kart suit” is what she said, and that’s exactly what Kate did. And it was a game-changer. No painful hips. No distraction. And Kate was totally in the zone as she stormed round the track in the final.

If the piece of foam had Tillett on it, it would probably cost £150. But this bit of foam, lovingly torn into shape by Mollie for Kate, cost £0. And it really was a game-changer. Definitely part of Kate’s kart-wear going forward.

Kate’s driving in the final was amazing. Her overtake at the start of the last lap had the grandstand crowd cheering. She did get a penalty for it (for advantage by contact), but it was amazing to see her driving so confidently. Such great form, and such great foam.