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Stn Cdr’s Foreword
Gp Capt O'Grady
Welcome to the Autumn edition of the RAF Coningsby station magazine. As the leaves begin to turn the tempo of operations remains high with the changing season, it is with immense pride and gratitude that I reflect on what has been a busy yet rewarding summer here at RAF Coningsby.
It was a genuine pleasure to open the gates for the Stations Families day and welcome those who support us so steadfastly behind the scenes—our partners, children, extended families, and close friends. The energy, joy, and shared pride on display served as a poignant reminder of the community that surrounds and strengthens us. Seeing families beam with pride was not only a celebration of what we do, but also of who we are. Similarly, our recent Station Health and Well-being Day provided a timely opportunity to focus inward. In the fastpaced world of modern Operations, taking a moment to reflect on our own mental and physical resilience is not a luxury—it is a necessity. The level of engagement across the station with the resources, activities, and discussions was incredibly encouraging. While our primary focus as a station
should remain on delivering air power and supporting the front line, I continue to be impressed by the dedication shown across the station beyond our primary roles.
As we look ahead to autumn, we naturally enter a more reflective season. While summer has allowed us the opportunity to say thank you to those who support us, autumn offers a chance to remember those who came before us—those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our nation. With events such as Remembrance Sunday on the horizon, it is our solemn duty and honour to uphold their memory—not just in ceremony, but in the way we conduct ourselves every day.
Thank you once again for all you do—whether you wear the uniform, support someone who does, or work tirelessly behind the scenes. RAF Coningsby continues to thrive because of its people.
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Editor Flt Lt Shaun Allen
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CONTENTS
06 LINCS TATCC
Lincolnshire’s airspace is busy and keeping it safe for civilian and military aircraft is the job of the Lincolnshire Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre (TATCC), based at Royal Air Force Coningsby.
07 AIR CYSC FD
Personnel from RAF Coningsby’s Air Cyber and Space Cadre (Air CySC) recently returned from an eventful FD week in Newquay, Cornwall.
10 3D MANUFACTURING USED AT CONINGSBY
The Royal Air Force has fitted its first in-house manufactured 3D printed component to an operational Typhoon fighter jet, marking a revolutionary step towards faster aircraft repairs and reduced downtime.
15 STN WELLBEING DAY
Warm sunshine welcomed Royal Air Force Coningsby personnel as they gathered at the Station's sports pitches for a lively Health and Wellbeing Day filled with activity, friendly competition and good food.
16 CONINGSBY FAMILIES DAY
Clear blue skies were the backdrop for the Red Arrows’ vapour trails as RAF Coningsby thanked its personnel, their families and friends at Station Families’ Day (Friday 25th July).
20 ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE
Defining how the word ‘community’ works in a military setting isn’t easy; it refers to more than one group. To begin with, there are more than 2000 service personnel at the Station, many of whom live locally with their families. There are also civilian neighbours, and the people who provide the services personnel rely on, like emergency services, schools, local authorities and the military charities.
21 REMEMBER REMEMBER
For many of us autumn feels like a return to normal after the long evenings, hot weather, and holidays of the summer period.
23 CONINGSBY KART CLUB
For Round 4 of the AFKC, Coningsby Kart Club headed north of the border to the East of Scotland Kart Club and the Crail circuit.
BEHIND THE SCENES WITH CONINGSBY AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL
Lincolnshire’s airspace is busy and keeping it safe for civilian and military aircraft is the job of the Lincolnshire Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre (TATCC), based at Royal Air Force Coningsby.
The team at Lincs TATCC manage the flow of aircraft in and out of Lincolnshire airfields and the surrounding areas. With four flying stations (Barkston Heath, Coningsby, Cranwell and Waddington) it’s still very much an RAF county. And because RAF Coningsby is a 24/7 station delivering QRA, there are always qualified controllers on duty in the tower.
The more than 70-strong team is led by Squadron Leader Andrea Jackson: “The airspace is busy and complex; there are four busy flying stations, all within fifteen miles of each other. Daily, all of them deliver operational output and critical flying training, conduct display flying and act as bases for multinational exercises. This is in addition to the general aircraft traffic, and the airborne emergency services.”
The last look checks of an aircraft prior to landing, controlling vehicle movements on the airfield, and updating air traffic systems with flight critical information, are some of the many responsibilities of the Squadron’s Air & Space Operations Specialists (ASOS).
Squadron Leader Jackson said: “The controllers manage the airspace, but our ASOS contingent makes sure that the TATCC has up to date critical information, and that RAF Coningsby has a safe operating environment on the ground.”
AS1 Wade Tear is an Air & Space Operations Specialist and joined the RAF in 2022. He said: “No two days are ever the same here at Coningsby and I would describe it as a ‘good’ busy. There’s always something going on, with new challenges to face, and tasks to complete which assist in the station’s flying output. You could be called up to assist with an aircraft emergency or the launch of our QRA Typhoons in the flick of a switch”.
All four Stations have visual control rooms, where controllers can see aircraft arriving, landing and departing from their airfields. But the TATCC’s Ops room at RAF Coningsby’s is the nerve centre for all the Stations in
Lincolnshire’s airspace. On their screens the controllers can see and direct aircraft up to forty miles away. In 2024
The Lincs TATCC provided Air Traffic Services to around 60,000 aircraft.
Squadron Leader Jackson said: “It is a challenging job because controllers must reinterpret a two-dimensional image on the screen in front of them into a three-dimensional image in their minds. They need to rapidly assimilate multiple inputs safely and effectively requiring mental agility. And then there’s communication; controllers must understand their aircraft, routing and restrictions, whilst effectively communicating with correct wording and maintaining a safe service.”
At RAF Coningsby alone there are five fast jet Typhoon squadrons, and the pistonengine Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. These aircraft fly and manoeuvre at completely different speeds, but they take off and land at the same airfield. At RAF Waddington there are fast jet and multi engine aircraft, RAFAT (Red Arrows) and Protector, which is a remotely piloted aircraft.
Wing Commander French is Officer Commanding Operations Support Wing, of which Air Traffic Control is a part. She said: “Air safety is our top priority. We must make sure that everyone who uses Lincolnshire’s airspace is deconflicted and has enough room to do what they need to do safely. It sounds simple, but you need qualified personnel who take their roles extremely seriously.”
Wing Commander French concluded: “The team in Air Traffic have an extremely complex and challenging role in one of the UK’s busiest areas of airspace. All personnel are highly skilled and form an integral part of keeping our skies and aircraft safe 24/7.”
AIR CYSC FORCE DEVELOPMENT
Personnel from RAF Coningsby’s Air Cyber and Space Cadre (Air CySC) recently returned from an eventful FD week in Newquay, Cornwall.
The activity, held from 12 - 16 May 25, challenged participants through a range of coastal based adventures including surfing, coasteering, bodyboarding, and the Stand-Up Paddleboard.
The aim of the week was to develop personal leadership, resilience, decision-making, and cohesion in a physically and mentally demanding environment. Daily reflections allowed participants to extract key lessons applicable to Ops, including enhanced risk awareness, Comms under pressure, and the ability to adapt leadership styles in evolving scenarios.
Notably, personnel gained greater self-awareness, improved their responses to stress and fatigue, and developed a deeper appreciation for individual differences in team settings. Team cohesion strengthened as individuals learned to recognise signs of anxiety and fatigue in others, fostering a more supportive workplace culture. The GPS framework was well aligned to the activity. Those who attended will undoubtedly look to implement the lessons learned in their day to day working environments.in their day to day working environments.
We are a small village primary school which is friendly and welcoming. We aim to provide a learning experience that your child will enjoy and remember.
Rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted 2023
‘Pupils have a good attitude to learning, behave well are kind and like to help each other with their learning’ Ofsted 2023
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RAF CONINGSBY FITS IN-HOUSE 3D PRINTED COMPONENT TO TYPHOON
THE ROYAL AIR FORCE HAS FITTED ITS FIRST INHOUSE MANUFACTURED 3D PRINTED COMPONENT TO AN OPERATIONAL TYPHOON FIGHTER JET, MARKING A REVOLUTIONARY STEP TOWARDS FASTER AIRCRAFT REPAIRS AND REDUCED DOWNTIME.
The milestone was achieved this week at RAF Coningsby, where engineers successfully installed a temporary replacement part for the pylon assembly that connects weapons systems to the aircraft's wing.
This breakthrough proves how 3D printing technology could transform military aircraft repair and maintenance.
The repair was manufactured at the Hilda B. Hewitt Centre for Innovation, by specialists from No 71 Inspection & Repair Squadron and then installed by 29 Sqn engineers. The centre, which is equipped with world-leading 3D printing and scanning equipment, represents the RAF's bold move into advanced manufacturing.
Squadron Leader John Mercer, Senior Engineering Officer at No 29 Squadron, explained the game-changing potential: "This isn't intended as a permanent fix, but it shows where we're heading. When aircraft are grounded waiting for spare parts, we can't afford delays. Being able to print our own temporary components means getting jets back in the air faster."
The process proved remarkably efficient. Engineers precision-scanned the damaged component and shared the data with both the original manufacturer
and 71 Squadron.
While the manufacturer developed a permanent replacement, 71 Squadron designed and printed an intermediate solution.
71 (IR) Squadron is part of the RAF Support Force. Its principal roles are to repair damaged structure on UK fixed-wing military aircraft and provide specialist inspection capabilities to RAF aircraft wherever they are deployed.
The Squadron also has its own designers, who devise repair solutions in circumstances where conventional fixes may not be effective or available.
Wing Commander Gemma Lonsdale, Officer Commanding Air Wing Engineering at RAF Coningsby, said: "This technology offers enormous potential to maintain our aircraft faster than ever before. The 71 Squadron team has been exceptional - their expertise and collaboration made this milestone possible."
The success opens the door to wider applications across the RAF fleet, potentially reducing maintenance costs and improving aircraft availability for operations.
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RAF CONINGSBY HOSTS SUCCESSFUL SUMMER HEALTH AND WELLBEING DAY
Warm sunshine welcomed Royal Air Force Coningsby personnel as they gathered at the Station's sports pitches for a lively Health and Wellbeing Day filled with activity, friendly competition and good food.
Organised by Force Development Squadron, who oversee training and education at RAF Coningsby, the day saw personnel swapping uniforms for sports gear in a relaxed, inviting atmosphere. The event offered something for everyone, creating a perfect blend of fitness and fun.
The Station's Physical Education Flight transformed the area into an outdoor gymnasium complete with weightlifting equipment and cardio machines. Adding to the cheerful atmosphere were inflatable pugil-sticks for BBC Gladiators enthusiasts and an inflatable obstacle course that caused laughs all day.
Flt Lt Sanjay Thapa, Acting Officer Commanding Force Development Squadron, said: “This wasn’t just a break from routine, it was a deliberate investment in esprit de corps and long-term wellbeing. When we connect, move, and laugh together, we strengthen the bonds that sustain us; quintessentially, the key driving force for longevity in service and in life.”
With the RAF supporting 55 official sports associations, physical activity forms an essential part of service life. Cpl Reine Grant, a Physical Training instructor at RAF Coningsby, explained: "Exercise and sport are core parts of life in the RAF, so you've got to give people an idea of what's out there. They keep people healthy, make them mentally resilient, and keep us ready to deploy."
The day wasn't solely about physical fitness: welfare support featured prominently with information stalls from the Station's HIVE team and the RAF Benevolent Fund. For those working up an appetite, RAF Coningsby's Catering Flight provided healthy and delicious options, including
chicken ciabatta sandwiches and Cajun chicken wraps. Open to both service personnel and civilians, the day concluded with the colourful spectacle of an RAF Benevolent Fund colour run, described by many as "organised chaotic fun."
Group Captain Paul O'Grady, Station Commander at RAF Coningsby, summed up the day's success: "Days like this have genuine value, and our team from Force Development Squadron has done an excellent job. It's important that people get together to enjoy sport and exercise, it promotes teamwork and individual health. There's been something here for everyone and they've had fun too."
THOUSANDS ENJOY SUNSHINE AT RAF CONINGSBY FAMILIES’ DAY
CLEAR BLUE SKIES WERE THE BACKDROP FOR THE RED ARROWS’ VAPOUR TRAILS AS RAF CONINGSBY THANKED ITS PERSONNEL, THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS AT STATION FAMILIES’ DAY (FRIDAY 25TH JULY).
Aregular, and fun, feature in the calendar of most RAF Stations, Families’ Day is an opportunity for hardworking personnel to relax and enjoy themselves for an afternoon with their families, spouses and partners.
Months in the planning, Families’ Day is a huge project and around 10,000 tickets were issued for the event. Squadron Leader Kat Janes was the Project Officer for the event. She said: “It’s a big project, but it’s a big project for a good reason. Our aim is to make sure that we say thank you to as many of our personnel and their families as possible, and to give them a memorable and fun day. Our team of volunteers did just that, they were brilliant.”
With fairground attractions, classic vehicles, artisan food stalls, historical re-enactors, and some stunning air displays, there was no shortage of interesting things to see and do. The weather up until Families’ Day had not been promising, but the clouds broke on Friday, and the Lincolnshire airbase was bathed in warm weather.
The Red Arrows opened the event with their usual flair; captivating the crowd with a spectacular display of precision flying. They were followed by a host of interesting and historic aircraft, and of course the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. A member of one of the service families said: “Honestly, that was absolutely brilliant; stuff for the children to do, air displays, it was everything we could have wanted.”
Group Captain Paul O’Grady is the Station Commander at RAF Coningsby. He said: “Today is our day to say thank you to our whole force and to their families. There is a very real link between life at work and life at home; families and friends are that vital link, and it’s only right that we recognise our service families for everything they contribute to the Defence of or country.”
The Typhoon Display Team stole the show with an awe-inspiring presentation of the Typhoon’s agility and power. With Squadron Leader Nathan Shawyer at the controls, the crowds were stunned into silence as he expertly demonstrated the speed and manoeuvrability of
the UK’s leading operational combat aircraft.
Group Captain O’Grady said: “Firstly I would like to thank our project team and all the volunteers for all their hard work in making today such a success. You only get success like this through careful planning, lots of hard work, and dedication. They have done a fabulous job, and you could tell from the cheerful atmosphere, the conversation, the laughter, across the entire site that everybody who came had a great time.”
A Brilliant New Chapter for Frithville & New York Primary Schools! Frithville Primary School and New Primary School have joined forces — and what a fantastic start it has been! Pupils have adapted brilliantly to their new classes and routines, showing the kind of resilience and enthusiasm only young people can.
Dressed smartly in their new green and grey uniforms, the children have impressed staff and visitors alike with their exemplary behaviour. Everyone at the school is bursting with pride.
The school is almost full, but there are still a couple of places available. Parents and carers interested in a tour or more information are encouraged to get in touch via enquiries@frithville.lincs.sch.uk
HORNCASTLE SCHOOLS CELEBRATE GCSE & A LEVEL SUCCESS
“Celebrate with us as our secondary schools in Horncastle release this year’s results. CEO of Horncastle Education Trust, Sandra James said “Many congratulations to our students at Banovallum and QEGS who celebrate their GCSE and A Level results. The outcomes below show the commitment and hard work of our young people and we are very proud of them.
My thanks to our dedicated staff, and to parents and carers, all of whom have worked together to enable our students to achieve their potential. We wish our young people all the best as they take their next steps.”
Jenny Kirkwood Headteacher at Banovallum said
“The results that this year group have achieved are excellent. This is despite the fact that their early terms at Banovallum were disrupted by Covid and its immediate aftermath. The reality for these pupils during their earliest years at our school was not only curriculum disruption but less access to some of the staple trips, events and other opportunities that we work hard to provide for our pupils. Despite this they have demonstrated a can-do attitude, and their achievements are testament to their commitment to curriculum and their wider school lives. We are extremely grateful to the families that supported them throughout their secondary school journey. Their results demonstrate the excellent achievements that can be made when pupils, their families and school staff work in partnership.
A number of our subjects have performed very well. I am especially pleased to see that outcomes in English and Mathematics will offer pupils the stepping stones needed to their next programmes of study. We also have some notable outcomes for groups in Food Technology, Photography, Music, Performing Arts and Sports Science. A number of students secured Grade 9s and equivalent, placing them in the top 5% of the subject nationally which is an outstanding achievement.”
Simon Furness Headteacher at QEGS said
“We are so proud of our Year 11 students this year. Their approach to their education has been first class throughout their time at the school and we are delighted that this has been recognised through their GCSE results. Given the disruption to their education due to the pandemic at the start of their time with us, their achievements this year are particularly inspiring. They are an impressive group of young people who have demonstrated such determination and endeavour, both in and out of the classroom, and should be proud of all they have achieved. Nearly half of all GCSE grades were 7 or above and the average grade of all GCSEs taken was 6.5; however, excellent GCSE results do not happen by chance and come about through the hard work and commitment of staff and students along with unfailing support from home.
We are particularly proud and impressed to see so many of our students achieving at such an exceptionally high standard and it goes without saying that we are looking forward to welcoming many of them back to the Sixth Form in September. “
“We are very proud of our A level students this year. They have worked incredibly hard throughout their time in the Sixth Form and have prepared themselves fully for the next stage in their education or chosen career, with nearly a third of all A-Level results being either an A grade or one of the prestigious A* grades. They are without doubt an impressive group of young people who have navigated their way through their time in our Sixth Form with maturity and resilience.”
There some particularly impressive results where students secured excellence gaining three or more A*/A grades in their A level subjects.
“The overwhelming majority of our students have secured their preferred university place or been accepted on apprenticeship or training schemes. They have done so well, and we applaud their achievements; they are fine ambassadors for QEGS and we will miss them in September as they head off for pastures new.”
“We believe that every student whatever their background has the right to flourish, to achieve and to succeed and everything undertaken by Horncastle Education Trust should have this ambition at its heart.”
ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE
“It’s all about the people.” Says Ben Rossi, Community Development Officer at Royal Air Force Coningsby in Lincolnshire.
Defining how the word ‘community’ works in a military setting isn’t easy; it refers to more than one group. To begin with, there are more than 2000 service personnel at the Station, many of whom live locally with their families. There are also civilian neighbours, and the people who provide the services personnel rely on, like emergency services, schools, local authorities and the military charities.
As the Community Development Officer, Ben Rossi ensures that service families aren’t disadvantaged by a life spent around the RAF. He said: “The presence of a military unit will always affect the nearby communities. So, you have to think about two things; to support our service community, and at the same time keep up a positive and friendly relationship with our neighbours.”
April last year saw the opening of a new playpark in a mixed estate, where service and civilian families live as neighbours. Although funded by Amey Defence and
clients to the organisation they need.
project managed by the RAF Coningsby People and Families Team, the play park is open to children from both service and civilian families.
The Station’s close relationship with the nearby schools is down to the People and Families Team.
Mr Rossi said: “Interacting with the schools is one of the most important things we do. Through Remembrance and STEM events, the pupils interact with station personnel and learn about what we do. They also come to understand that the base is a part of their community, not just co-located with it.”
With over 2000 military personnel on the Station, and over 130 civil servants, the team of four is kept busy all the time. Audra Bishop and Ann Parkinson are HIVE Information Officers, the HIVE Service provides an information and welfare referral service to the entire Coningsby Armed Services community, service and civilian. Although not counsellors, Audra and Ann provide a confidential signposting service and direct
The Armed Forces Covenant ensures that the service community faces no disadvantage in accessing public services: for example, reminding a school admissions team that Armed Forces children don’t choose to move mid-year and it would be incredibly helpful if they could find a space for that child. Or ensuring the continuity of dental care or other healthcare so a patient doesn’t lose their place on the waiting list.
From January 2026 the team’s People and Families Support Officer post and Covenant Champion for RAF Coningsby will be filled again. Their primary role is to make sure that service personnel and their families find life at Coningsby easy, whether its housing, support from military charities, or funding bids for local projects.
Ben Rossi said: “We develop as many links as we can between the military and civilian communities. It makes sense because we all live in the same place. Equally the life of service families is different because one or more family members can be absent from the home for months at a time. We consciously encourage families to build a support network because they have a shared experience.”
The team organises regular events for service families, including monthly family meals, and family days out
during the summer holidays. Crucially, there are also activities for the adults in service families.
It can be genuine fun too.
RAF Coningsby’s Christmas market was organised by the Station Charities Committee, but the Community Team played a key role in the event. The team arranged for the families craft area, the Santa's Grotto and arranged food stalls for Deployed Families too.
Wing Commander Nick Startup Commands Base Support Wing, of which the Community Team is a part. She said:
“It’s almost impossible to describe everything our Community Team does, but we wouldn’t function without them. They are the link between the Station and the service families, and our link to our neighbours and the local authorities. That RAF Coningsby sits amongst its neighbours as well as it does, is due almost entirely to Ben and his team.”
REMEMBER, REMEMBER…
For many of us autumn feels like a return to normal after the long evenings, hot weather, and holidays of the summer period.
Children go (back) to school, shorts get packed away and jumpers come out. Before long, there will be lively discussions about when the heating should go on, and social media will be full of pictures of impossibly vivid autumn leaves, pumpkins and general cosiness.
There’s something important, and reassuring, about the rhythm of the changing seasons that reminds us that we all, in our different ways, benefit from structures or patterns, and would be a bit lost if we just had a blank page to fill however we wanted.
And part of the annual rhythm that greets us each autumn is a number of opportunities to remember. In mid-September we celebrate Battle of Britain Sunday – a day when we rightly celebrate those who went before us and fought so bravely over the skies of our nation to protect us from invasion by a murderous regime. It’s an opportunity to be thankful for what we have and to recognise what’s involved in defending it. November, of course brings Remembrance Sunday, when we commemorate all those who gave their lives, not only in two world wars, but in the many other conflicts this country has been involved in over recent decades. And of course, for many of us, this will include people that we’ve known and served alongside.
It’s also a moment to recognise that war is a daily reality for so many in our broken world, and we can reflect on what we might be able to do to build peace in our society and beyond.
Between these two events are two other rememberings. Bonfire Night marks the anniversary of a failed terrorist plot and its gruesome aftermath for those involved. It reminds us of a time when hatred and division stalked our land and of how fragile social cohesion can be in our own time. And Hallowe’en is the eve of All Saints’ Day in the Christian calendar, which is followed a day later by All Souls’ Day. This is traditionally when we remember all those we have lost through death. A poignant time when in church services we give thanks to God for the gift of their lives and all they meant for us.
Whatever our own spiritual beliefs, there’s a real value in pausing in this season of falling leaves to remember those who are no longer with us. Some of us might do that through prayer; others will find their own way – and the station church is open to everyone as a place of peace for reflection, or perhaps to light a candle in memory. Remembering helps us be thankful: it reminds us of our own mortality and may perhaps spur us on to make the most of the time given to us.
WEDNESDAYS
Tattershall Village Hall
7:30, 9:00 & 10:30am
Coningsby Community Hall 4:00, 5:30 & 7:00pm
Near Woohall Spa
Wraparound care for St Hugh’s, St Andrew’s, Kirky on Bain and Mrs Mary King’s, Martin
Funding spaces and vouchers accepted Hot and cold food available
Opening times 7:00am - 6:30pm
For more info call 07800 936882
ARMED FORCES KARTING CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND
For Round 4 of the AFKC, Coningsby Kart Club headed north of the border to the East of Scotland Kart Club and the Crail circuit.
After a somewhat difficult race weekend at the ’home’ race in round 3, hopes were high that kart 29 had received its fair share of technical gremlins and a problem free weekend could be achieved. Despite initially having 3 drivers available, work and personal reasons saw 2 of these having to withdraw leaving only FS Matt Dilks (Typh CAMO) available to compete. Unless a 2nd driver could be found, CKC were looking at having to withdraw from the event. Luckily, former Coningsby and High Wycombe racer, Sgt Mike Nicholson now based in Scotland as an ATI had reached out to the championship organisers to see if a seat was available for the weekend. He had race kit and a licence and was interested to find out if he could still hold his own on the racetrack after a number of years away. CKC immediately stepped in to offer the spare seat ensuring that we are still on plan for entering at least 1 kart in every round of the 2025 championship.
Matt commenced the 6-hour journey from Lincolnshire to the track early on the Thursday morning and after some quick set up adjustments was able to undertake a couple of sessions of additional unofficial practice. This proved to be invaluable as he could learn his way around a previously unraced track with less karts sharing the tarmac. The gearing set up could be checked prior to Friday’s official practice. Baseline lap times were set and analysing the info stored on the steering wheel
data recorder it was obvious that the rear sprockets could do with a couple of extra teeth to allow the engines to reach max rpm along the straight.
Practice Day
With Mike delayed and not able to make the circuit until lunchtime, Matt undertook the morning practice sessions to see if the gearing changes conducted overnight had made any difference. Again, data was analysed and it showed that the engines were now hitting an almost perfect max rpm. Lap times were disappointingly very similar with those set the previous day however talking to other drivers in the paddock most were saying that the track was running up to a second slower than the day before. It’s amazing how much effect the temperature can have on lap times so Kart 29 was in effect running almost a second per lap quicker. The afternoon sessions were undertaken by Mike who quickly got back into the swing of things. A bit of looseness in the rear of the kart was discovered causing a touch of oversteer in the fast corners but this was soon put right after consultation with Rob from 7Kart (the manufacturer of our chassis) who suggested we space out our front wheels by an extra 5mm. Advice was acted on and handling issues cured!
Race Day
After a successful check by the scrutineering team which included drivers stepping onto the weigh scales to ensure minimum weights for respective classes were met,
Kart 29 was given a further once over and practice tyres were swapped for race rubber. The format of this round was to be run in the usual AFKC manner with each kart racing in 2 of the 3 2-hour races to be held on the Saturday. Kart 29 was selected for races 1 and 2 meaning there would be a quick turnaround required between races with not much time to rectify any problems. After setting the slightly faster lap times in practice, Mike was elected to qualify and put 29 in 24th position out of a grid of 32 for race 1. After an incident free 2 hours and 137 laps completed, Kart 29 maintained it’s 24th position but more importantly finished 6th out of 12 in class.
Due to the short time between races and to allow Matt some recovery time after Race 1, Mike once again undertook qualifying for race 2. This time 29 would start a couple of places lower in 26th. Mike was clearly enjoying his time behind the wheel as he missed the pit board instructing him to pit on 5 consecutive laps!!! When he did eventually come into the pits, we had to do the driver change immediately as anymore track time for Mike could have resulted in him going over the maximum driver time and resulting in a penalty. The kart was refuelled, and Matt was sent out with the instruction that 2 dummy pitstops would be required in his stint to meet the regulated number and to watch out for the board!! Taking full advantage of another karts misfortune which resulted in the Safety-Kart being deployed (yes it does have flashy lights, just like the safety car in F1!) Matt managed to undertake both dummy stops whilst the rest of the karts were lapping at reduced speed.
Unfortunately, all this good work was put to waste after
Matt was hit by another kart on the exit of the 1st hairpin after a 2nd post Safety-Kart restart which pushed him off track and dropped him to the back of the pack. Experiencing strange handling and additional vibration when cornering he elected to pit to allow an inspection of the kart. Nothing untoward was observed so he headed back out and battled through the problems to bring Kart 29 home in 21st overall and 9th in class. Looking at the results post-race, the contact, additional pitstop and time lost due to the handling issues potentially cost us at least 5 places overall and 4 places in class. Post race inspection of the kart revealed that a stud had sheared on the steering yoke which was effectively separating itself from the chassis every time the kart went round a right turn. With the fastest corners on the track being right handers, Matt was lucky the remaining studs held and he didn’t lose a front wheel and stub axle completely. If CKC can take one thing away from the weekend is that kart 29 is losing out during races due to a lack of power from our engines. Due to funding, we haven’t been in a position to have our engines refreshed for some time and this shows on the straights when other karts seem to just seem to power past us. This theory will be proven one way or another as our spare engines were left with Monkey Motorsport, associate team and builder of Honda GX160 race engines. Hopefully they don’t find too much wrong with our engines and a refresh will find some missing power and torque, allowing us to be more competitive for the last 3 rounds.
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