WKA FL Divisional
Naples, FL
May 6, 2000

WKA FL Divisional
Naples
May 6, 2000

Well, the weekend started off well. I was able to leave work early so dad and I could head down to Naples. It was a long drive, but we were able to get 5 hours of sleep before we had to get up and head out to the track!

I ran different set ups in the two practice sessions and decided on the one that included not running the bar in the back of the kart which essentially makes it tighter in the rear. I started the first heat race 5th out of six kart. #19 elected to start the race at the back of the back both times. I got an okay start but had to battle 19 through turn one but disposed of him in the lefthander and got under 88 (not the same 88 as in Jacksonville) in turn three, dragged raced him down the straight and out broke him at the end.

From there I had to reel in #11, Robbie. I was able to catch him, but I never could pass him. Naples is a very tight course with a small straight. Every time I came out of the tight lefthander that went onto the straight they would all pull me real bad and I couldn't catch them by the end of the straight. I finished 4th.
The second heat I started on pole. I got a good start and led the first 3 laps. Then Chris passed me at the exit of turn 2 and off he went. On the next lap we were going through turn three before the straight and 11 bumped me and got past me. On lap 6 I went high in the banked turn at the end of the straight trying to miss hitting 11 and Phil (24) slipped by me. 4th again.

Meanwhile we went back to the trailer and decided to go yet another tooth on the gear because the 84 that I switched to didn't work. I went to put the 84 up and noticed it was smaller than the 83. Help me out here, something with more teeth should be bigger. Come to find out, the 84 was stamped 84, but only had 82 teeth. So I borrowed an 84 for the feature.

Surprise, Surprise, I started 4th for the feature. That was the first time that day I started on the outside. The inside lane got a much better start and I found myself next to 19 going into turn 1. He had me by half a kart length as we went into turn two. He knew I was there and tried to pinch down on me, but I stood my ground and held onto fourth. I ran 11 down, again. I was trying hard to pass him, but still couldn't pull him out of the turn leading onto the straight. Then on lap 8, or so, I came out of two and got side ways. I thought I saved it and then the kart kept going. I didn't loop it, but I lost time on 11. I ran him back down, but again, couldn't catch him. So it was a fourth place plaque I took home. I suppose it wasn't bad, but I was just so excited during practice because I dropped 1.2 seconds from last time we were at the track. I'm starting to get a better feel for the track and I was right up there with Chris, who won. So I feel better, but I wish I could have done better.