For one weekend every month racers from across the country descend on a secluded corner of Fife’s East Neuk to battle it out in the Scottish Prokart Championship. Craig McManamon joined them.
Hitting a top speed of 60mph just inches off the ground while a pack of snorting Honda-powered karts hurtle into a hair-pin corner, the fast and furious world of Prokart racing provides an intense thrill. This was something I was to find out in earnest in my debut race at the East Scotland Kart Club near Crail, where there is a dedicated following for a branch of motor sport often regarded as the first step towards the Holy Grail of Formula One.
Run throughout the year, the Prokart series is just one of the many classes within competitive karting.
The set-up of a Prokart is simple, but its handling and performance provide a radically different experience from the usual leisure adventure found at many commercial sites around the UK. The ESKC‘s 1100m outdoor track is rumoured to be the oldest in the country, having been built in the 1940s as a naval recreation area.MysteryThe circuit lies just a short drive north-east of Crail, sandwiched between Craighead Golf Links and an abandoned second world war airfield. However, knowledge of its existence among the wider public appears to be something of a mystery, even to Fife’s most famous racing venue — Knockhill near Dunfermline claims to host “Fife’s ONLY outdoor karting track”.
Despite this, the ESKCs circuit is a familiar and popular destination for seasoned competitors from all over the UK. Its racers have included Formula One star David Coulthard, and Fife’s own Andrew Kirkaldy, both of whom used karting as a springboard for the highest levels of international motorsport.
For one race day I joined the 20 other racing teams who make the regular pilgrimage to the track temporarily transforming the club car pack into a bustling paddock. On arrival, the mood was a mix of professionalism and camaraderie with volunteer race marshals making their way to various points of the track accompanied by the buzz of their walkie talkies.
My confidence quickly evaporated in the relentless heat as team camps were rapidly set up and karts were hoisted on o trolleys, allowing mechanics to make feverish final adjustments to their racing machines.
Adding to the atmosphere were two members of the St John Ambulance, who were tucked away in a handy spot and served as a sober reminder of the dangers of motor sport. The race itself took the form of three separate one-hour events with a mixture of long and short versions of the course as well as using a reverse grid (where the slowest drivers start in pole position) for the second race.
I was allowed a spot of practice the day before the meeting, and on race day I met up with the ESKC’s Prokart representative and racer for 20 years, Fraser Adam. Fraser (39) promptly instructed me to change into a one-piece jumpsuit and don a crash helmet, while the club kart I would be driving was rolled into the pit lane from its garage beneath the control tower.
The kart’s two 160cc motors coughed into life and within minutes I was wedged into the snug fitting fibre glass seat for a 20-minute qualifying session followed by a day of intense racing.Hugely enjoyableA veil has to be drawn over my performance, but the challenges of finding the limit of the kart, seeking improvements lap upon lap, and becoming accustomed to noise, vibrations and instant speed were nerve-wracking, but hugely enjoyable.
Added to all that was a feeling of considerable exhaustion, several undignified but spectacular forays off the track, and the intimidating presence of seasoned racers overtaking at close quarters.
It was an exhilarating day which, inevitably and despite my best efforts, resulted in finishing dead last and several laps behind the field.
Fraser and a few of his dedicated colleagues at the club offer the opportunity for would be karters to take part in the Motor Sport Association (MSA) approved Let’s Go Karting initiative.
Introduced at the ESKC just under a year ago,Let’s Go Karting allows youngsters to fast track into the motor sport by paying just £5 for a session in a club kart. But a big part of the ESKC ongoing success is down to volunteers according to Fraser who described them as the life-blood of the track.
Lending a helping hand in everything from marshalling races to recording lap times volunteers are needed and appreciated at the track said Fraser.
“It doesn’t matter if someone has raced before or even has an interest in motor sport,” he said. “Volunteers are what makes the world go round and are always needed.”
The ESKC is not only home to Fife’s competitive karting series but also to the SuperMoto GP series which is loyally followed there.
For more information contact Fraser Adam on 07973 360398 or the chairman of the ESKC Jamie Glen on 07718 733122.