01/14/2024
Saturday race recap:
Ryan had fast enough pace Friday in the last practice to put him in the fast group of two in his class of 66 or so drivers. Toward the back of that group - but still great for his first national race. That allowed him to qualify a little later in the day. Unfortunately he got caught in some slower traffic and didn’t get a great qualifying.
Started his prefinal group in 25th position. Again good pace and again some traffic around him. Finished down enough in the group that he had to compete in the last chance qualifying LCQ.
Started LCQ in 6th and just needed to finish in top 14 to make it to the final. He ran strong. Great pace and held his own. Lost a couple spots, gained a couple, lost a couple but stayed strong. Then got clipped by another driver trying to (unnecessarily) pass - spinning Ryan. He kept it off the wall but it sent him waaaaay back in the order. He pushed and had his fastest laps of the session after the incident. But it wasn’t enough and therefore didn’t make the final.
We are all bummed about not making the final. On the plus side - he drove his heart out and had strong pace all day. Kart has no significant damage.
And Sunday is another full race day.
Sunday - warm up at 808, qualifying at 930, then prefinal, lcq (which we hopefully all enjoy from the stands) and then the final.
Please send good thoughts (and vodka for mom wouldn’t hurt)!!!
MPG Motorsports
Race Factory
Caribe Royale Orlando