Scarlet Flies Again At Wombwell!
- by Anthony Dunn
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- 16 Apr, 2019
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She takes 2nd overall & fastest lap with her best performance yet!
She started off well on Saturday’s free practice by setting record pace, dipping into mid-46 second laps on only her second visit to the Barnsley venue, with the current race lap record being a low-47 second lap.
Sunday’s competition was also only her second actual wheel-to-wheel race, with most of the other kart circuits running time trials, where the best single lap wins, so it was invaluable experience to start on a grid from a standing start for each heat with the first person crossing the line winning.
She produced strong results throughout the day by going 3rd in Free Practice and taking good heat finishes, placing her 3rd on the grid for the final. Scarlet saved her best till last though - after slotting into 3rd, she soon hunted down and passed 2nd place runner Jacob Dawe and set off after the leader Max Mason. Although she lost some time through lapping back markers, she closed the gap with a succession of rapid laps and took the fastest lap of the race in the process also demonstrating the speed of her ‘Tommy Terminator’ tuned engine.
“She’s produced a brilliant performance all weekend” said Mam Amanda. “She was the fastest one out there for a good number of laps in the final, really building on the promise she’s shown in her last two outings at Teesside and Rowrah. We’re all absolutely thrilled to see the progress she’s making”.
Her team AMARON Racing is formed of 3 generations of racer; Grandfather Ron Whitaker - a former single seater racer - prepares and engineers the kart and Mam & Dad Amanda & Anthony Dunn are both former champion racers & performance driver coaches who support Amanda at the race meetings. She also has support from local company JohnsonLand.
Although the day didn't get off to the best of starts with her equipment not performing, Scarlet showed her level headedness and didn’t let it get her down, absolutely trying her best of every lap in every heat.
The final was a different story though as Scarlet found good speed again and she spent much of the session in a close 2nd place and just got pipped at the end, getting pushed back to 4th when she had to overtake some slower karts, losing her valuable seconds in the Time Trial competition.
"We had some issues through the heats, but thanks to some help from another competitor we managed to get her back on the pace in the final and it was nice for her to finish the day on a high - going forwards again!" said Dad.
She next races in a month's time at Teesside.
"She really enjoyed going fast again" said Mam Amanda who also made her debut at the Teesside venue 30 years ago "It was lovely to see a smile back on her face again".
Scalet next races around Teesside this weekend. She is currently lying a close 2nd in the Bambino Comer championship.
The race day will be streamed live on YouTube with commentary.
Scarlet Dunn from Newton Aycliffe put on a brave display this weekend at Wombwell, near Barnsley despite engine issues which plagued her in the final on race day.
In Saturday’s very wet free practice she ran most of the time either fastest or 2nd fastest amongst a very strong field of 17 karts. She learned lots about wet weather driving and her smooth style served her well throughout the day.
On Sunday race day, conditions were completely dry and Scarlet made a good start to run 3rd fastest in free practice. She had good heats, running in the top 3 times through the day although with the stiff competition she qualified in 6th place for the final.
Although Scarlet was looking for a top 6 finish, unfortunately engine issues that plagued her at Teesside returned as well as potentially other issues the team later found and she fell to 9th place. She was positive afterwards though and Mam Amanda was very proud of her attitude: “She is soldiering on and knows that once we solve the issues she will be right back up where she wants to be. It was all good experience for her and she took away from the event more overtaking, race craft and practice starts - she drove as good as she could with what she had on the day. Scarlet enjoys everything about the weekend and especially seeing her friends".
She is next racing in round 5 of the Teesside Sprint Championship in 2 week's time.
The Wombwell race was the Joe Dale #27 Memorial meeting, in memory of the young kart racer who passed away of a sudden asthma attack 2 years ago at just 16 years of age.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmfjjcp9YQc
Scarlet and Bambino's are feature at:
Heat 1 - 15:00
Heat 2 - 1:17:25
Heat 3 - 3:26:00
Final - 4:29:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikch3HSv_Fc
Also live timing screens here:
https://live.alphatiming.co.uk/teesside
NRG did a great job of looking after Scarlet and making sure she fitted well. Thanks to Simon, Andy and team for the fantastic service!
NRG supply Road, Mountain, BMX, Urban, Hybrid, & Electric Bikes for adults & children. They have branches at Thornaby & Great Ayton.
They talked about Scarlet's karting, dancing, drumming and all Amanda's racing career. They also discussed what it's like to be a girl racing against the boys.
The show will shortly be available as a pod cast on www.AycliffeRadio.co.uk and will also be aired again on Sunday 19th May at 12pm.
