2004:
The beginnings...
Hannu, age 4, goes to the Mika Salo track with me for his first ride.
The tandemkart has a restricted top speed compared to the normal karts and since there was a group of 14-15 testoteron filled local youngsters present, we had to start last.
It didn't stop us overtaking everyone (and even lapping a few)... LOL !
We did go a little trough the grass (flatout) at one moment.
The only reaction we got from Hannu as he got off the kart was to run to the marshall and yell excitedly: "WE WENT THROUGH THE GRASS !"
2009:
Behind the wheel himself.
Now, 5 years later nearly, he's driving himself... And he does so very well.
Not a 'spectacular' drive, rather typically Northern: Very calm but... very determined.
Lifting off in a corner? ... Not diving to the inside if someone leaves the door open? ... You must be joking !!
2011:
Shock horror last Sunday !
This Sunday 27 March 2011, we went karting again at the Oulu indoor racing track.
We had a good crowd: our Belgian friends Hans and his 12 year old son Tom, Marketa, myself and Hannu.
Hannu just finished his second series of karting lessons so we were hoping he'd be faster than few months ago and we'd actually manage a little "father - son" race.
We did race just after he finished the last karting lesson though during which he'd been driving 4 times 10 minutes already. Enough to guarantee me 4 sessions at the physiotherapist ! :)))
So off we went. Hannu drove out of the pitlane just ahead of me, ideally positioned to race. I just needed to close those 10 kart lengths and the fun could start...
A good 3 - 4 laps later I still hadn't caught him despite pushing it. Hmmm... :o/
Two laps later frustration really started to set in. I was absolutely driving my heart out improving on my own track record lap by lap.
Every time I shot out of a corner I was expecting to be on Hannu's tail... and every time I just saw him disappearing into the next corner !!
Before we started, I was relishing the opportunity to race. But instead of racing him, I was struggling to close even half a meter in on him. I didn't sign up for this! }:o(
"Fortunately", we started lapping the others which allowed me to catch him.
"So now, the race is on, boy. I'm gonna show you I'm still better when the pressure is on!" :D
For the next few laps, I didn't even come close to having an opportunity to overtake though. It took a confused marshal and a few mysterious blue flags for me to slip through.
Result:
Hannu finished the race on my rear bumper.
We both set our fastest time ever on the track:
Hannu : 25.682s
Daddy : 25.177s (+ 1 visit to the physio the day after)
Question is now: he's only turning 11 this summer. If he can do this after having driven 4 races just before racing me, by how much will he beat me next time ?
Slight oversteer...
On the tail of the karting instructor
A very nice example of "looking into the corner" (in this case also "looking for the gap")
Incoming !! (a.k.a. "creating a gap if there is no gap yet")
Sunday 7 May 2011...
One day when I came back from a karting race which I won, be it kinda "in anger", the great Henk Talpaert told me: "Sandy, d'r zijn nog zekerheden in het leven." (translated, "Sandy, there are still some things you can rely on in life")
Looks like this Sunday 7 May, these "certainties" have been questioned forever.
What had to happen one day, happened: We went karting with our Belgian friend from Oulu, Hans Prové. It was the usual good fight between Hannu and myself in which I managed to always stay this tiny bit ahead... until we came off the karts in the pits and Hannu walks up to me with the same smile the cat had after she'd eaten the goldfish:
His best time: 25s239
My best time: 25s302
Hans' best:
25s452
Ouch... Clearly, this will be the first in a very long row of defeats. :/
Summer 2011...
Hannu and myself take the opportunity to go a few times to the outdoor track of Le Luc. On the heavier karts and a track he does not know like the back of his hand, I manage to keep the upper hand.It kind off comforts me that I haven't lost the edge still. My logic is that few months before, I got beaten because Hannu knows the Oulu indoor track very well but on new tracks, he still has a gap to close. I should be safe for another 2 years. :)
On July 15th, we decide to have a big "family outing" to the same track. Jean-Marc and our Swiss friends Patrick, his son Leon and his girlfriend Claudia will join us. Grandma cannot be seduced into driving while Mak sticks to her role of photographer.
As the track of Le Luc is booked out, we end up on the very technical track in Brignoles. Dust, lots of difficult corners, 21 people on the track and the fact it's the first time any of us drive here is the perfect recipe for myself.
First blood goes to myself, Hannu is 4th out of 21, two locals get in between.
Second race, Hannu leaves just ahead of me... and I never saw him again. Zigzaging between everyone, he just left the entire group for dead.
Looks like my theory has already been proven incorrect :)))
"How to overtake in 5 simple steps", by H-R.D.M. Torrekens.
1. Look for the gap.
2. Go for the gap.
3. Pass... eventhough making the next corner might be a tad more challenging if you're off the racing line.
4. Even if you're in the (VERY) wrong place, keep your foot down, overtaking by the outside has been done before !
5. Told you it works :D
Jean-Marc in the winning mood:
After Hannu overtook (and lost) Jean-Marc, it was daddy's turn to overtake him. Here, he had the brilliant idea of trying to follow.
If you ask me, his posture isn't too kosher and that racing line looks a tad optimistic...
... Yep... told ya !
They say it's lonely at the top (/front)
All happened in good humour
Leon, Patrick and Claudia did very well for their first outing
Tired, hot ... but happy
Although someone seems really happy
To be continued...