Scarlet Whitaker Dunn, Newton Aycliffe based Junior Pro-kart racer, made further progress in round 6 of the Teesside Sprint Series held at Teesside Autodrome on Sunday 20th July.
Mixed conditions made the going difficult for most of the day with one challenge after another.
In heat 1 Scarlet had to contend with a mostly wet, but drying, circuit as the ambient temperature rose and started to dry up the standing water from the deluge the day before.
A slightly optimistic overtake attempt by Scarlet caused her to spin and she fell back to a disappointing 15th place before being able to rejoin.
Heat 2 started better for Scarlet as her drawn grid position saw her start from pole position. She managed to maintain a front running position for the opening laps until the heavens opened and the entire field had to ‘tip toe’ around on their slick racing tyres until the flag came out. Unlike the other competitors on the grid, Scarlet had not been able to test the day prior in the torrential rain, giving her a disadvantage in similar conditions. Scarlet finished 10th in heat 2.
Heat 3 promised to be a similar affair as there had been another shower just prior to Scarlet taking the grid.
This left us with a difficult tyre choice as it was borderline between slicks and wets.
The team opted for a wet set up which worked well and Scarlet was able to gain six places to finish 10th.
In the final race of the day, Scarlet would start from 9th on the grid and finish a creditable 10th place from a quality field of young racers.
Not a bad weekend at all!
We would like to thank Amaron Racing, PHM (Peninsula Historic Motorsport), Carbon Arc Training and Consultancy, Grandad Ron and Rob Storey for their generous assistance and financial support, making this possible.
If you are in a position to help Scarlet on her motor racing journey then please email: mail@amandawhitaker.com as every little helps our family made up of three generations of racers.