Thanks to all for your help and support from team 069 - '24hr Karty People' and particularly to those who pulled me out of the burning wreck! It's obvious to say it was a pretty scary experience. Crashing in itself was bad enough but being trapped in it upside down on the tyres (thanks to having only fallen part of the way out and my left leg wrapped around the steering column - not to mention the stupid 'bigfoot' nassau stopping me getting out in a hurry) whilst on fire, was something else! I was hardly on the ground before one of the marshals was trying to get me out and a few of the drivers who stopped - not only putting their race in jeopardy but their lives, definitely should be proud of themselves! I wasn't getting out of it without them!
There is also a lot to be said for having the proper kit - fire retardant suit and gloves...not to mention a good quality helmet. I've come out of it with a fair bit of bruising and a pulled muscle on the left leg - but that's it! ... Considering my back and entire left arm were briefly up in flames, there isn't a mark on me ... In the suit I wore last year, I dread to think!
Ironically, after the flames, Team 'Phoenix' donated two of their spare engines to us to finish the race. After a 9 hour rebuild and a lot of welding/bending, it was certainly a tremendous experience to see that kart cross the line, even if it was only on one engine by that point (threw a chain just minutes from the end)!
Also huge thanks to Howard Lucas who helped us out with spare brake components to get the kart going (or should I say, stopping) again.
It was such a shame as we had a pig of a year last year due to unreliability/inexperience with kart setup and this year we had run all through Friday practice and quali with only minor hitches. Had an awesome start and was running a solid 21st still on the lead lap after the first hour until, without any warning, a brake connector burst on the fastest part of the track. Suppose this is motorsport - and we'll be back next year to hopefully have a 'boring' one and finish in the top 20! :-)
Thanks again everyone. And congratulations to everyone who finished the race! Adam
PS: If anyone happens to have any photos or videos of my little off, do let me know - I'm intrigued as to how I landed where I did given where the impact so obviously was...
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