Vasco Lourenco Racing

On Saturday I took part in my second endurance race for Club 73 Karting, with Orange Apex Racing.

It was a new track for me, with very different karts to what I have driven- they even had seatbelts! This made it very difficult in the pitstops, but ignoring the karts, the track is very nice, with a fun layout and a very smooth surface. However, the karts are pretty slow (270cc) for the track, which is a shame. Once again, getting used to driving weighted is very challenging, but I feel I am improving, and driving better than I was in Thruxton. In the end we didn't finish in last 🤣, which is a good improvement from last time. Hope for an even better round next time out at Three Sisters.

Photos by Jorge Lourenco

My first Club 73 Karting race as part of Orange Apex Racing:

I took part in the first round of the Club 73 endurance championship at Thruxton kart centre. The track was beautiful, fast and physically demanding. Safe to say there is a lot to learn for the upcoming rounds... 😅

We started near the back but lost some places off the start, the pace was good but since we switched the kart before the race, it was cold. The pitstop also didn't go too well, and we lost even more time. During my stint I had a very slow kart, so I decided to change it. The kart I went into then had a big problem, when the fuel cap fell off and spilled fuel all over me! 🤣

We tried recovering what was left but in the end, we finished last, as swapping karts 4 times very much lost us a lot of time.
It was good fun, but we also have a lot to take and learn from. Hopefully next round at Ancaster goes better.

Photos by Jorge Lourenco

On sunday I went to Herefordshire Raceway for Round 3 of the SRK Championship with Swift Cooper.

In my first heat, I started 6th, and with a brilliant start, I moved up into 2nd by the end of the first lap. I then took the lead and pulled away to win this heat.
In my second heat, I started in 11th, and managed to gain a few places. However, I was stuck behind a few drivers for the majority of this heat, and in the end, only managed P6.
In my final heat, I started in 2nd, and made an overtake for the lead, but I got a terrible corner exit, allowing 2nd and 3rd to overtake me. I stayed there for some time, but then unfortunately received an ABC (advantage by contact) penalty, which dropped me 3 places, so I finished in 5th.
I started in 9th for the A final, and had a good start, gaining two places, however I lost them and was involved in a few minor incidents, dropping me down to 11th.

Not the greatest result but it keeps me in the top 5 in the standings for now, hope for a better round in Castle Combe next.

Photos by Jorge Lourenco

Great day down south yesterday, thanks Luke for organising the event, and thanks to Ollie for the marshaling yesterday!

Amazing photos by Niki, thanks a lot!

On Sunday I went to Castle Combe for Round 1 of the SRK Championship. It was a very wet day, as it was constantly pouring down throughout the day.

Heat 1: I started in 1st place, and got a decent start, however I couldn't adapt quick enough to the changing conditions, and I dropped to P2. I held my position to the line.
Heat 2: I started last place, but with an incredible start, I was 2nd by turn 1, and 1st place by the end of the first lap. I cruised to the finish line P1.
Heat 3: I started in 4th, and was 2nd after lap 1. I went for a risky overtake, and I unfortunately spun round under braking, dropping me to last. I recovered as many positions as possible, moving up into 3rd by the checkered flag.

Final: I started in 6th for the final, where the conditions improved slightly ahead of the race. By turn 1, I had moved into 3rd, and pulled a very large gap to 4th. 1st and 2nd started fighting, so I joined in, momentarily moving up into 2nd. On the last lap, I went for an overtake which didn't work out, and this half spun me and dropped me to 4th.

I am really happy and proud of my improvement compared with last year's finish. Well done to all of the Swift Cooper team for the fantastic results and wins in both juniors and cadets, and thanks to all the marshals for their bravery and determination in those miserable conditions😅

Photos by Jorge Lourenco

On Saturday I went to Castle Combe for a Swift Cooper team event, where I got to meet some new faces and have some fun racing to kickstart the season, which was very nice.

The day after, I attended round one of the Castle Combe Championship, to get some final practice for the SRK round next sunday. I improved heavily the more I drove, and finished 8th in the A-final, which I am proud of.

Thanks to all the marshals and hopefully I can start the season strong.💪