Season best for Charlotte in rainy and chaotic final

2009-07-12
On 3rd-5th of July the third race in the German Championship was held. 39 drivers in the KZ2 class were in place on the demanding track in Ampfing. The weather conditions changed over the weekend and three races were run on wet track. Charlotte went further from an exciting Second Chance to Sunday's Final, where she finished in the best place so far in the championship, 23rd place.

On Friday the team had five practice sessions, 20 minutes each. During each session, Charlotte had problems that made it unable for her to run so many laps she wanted.

- During a session, one engine mount went off because I went too hard on the high curbs in the chicane. During another session, I got carburetor problems, Charlotte says.

On Saturday's time qualification the problems continued when she didn’t get a time registered.

- A flat front left tire made it impossible for me to drive and I had to retire without having received a full speed lap, and thus no time. That was no fun at all, since much depends on the time qualification, Charlotte says.

In the rainy first heat , Charlotte became 20th and in the second heat, which was run on dry track, she finished 23rd.

This meant Second Chance where she started sixth. Just before the start they rain was drizzling down and it was too late to switch to rain tires. Charlotte made a very strong race when she came in third place and was the fastest driver on slick tires.

Namnlöst-4 kopiera 222_0.jpg

- It was a long time ago I raced in rain and to go out with slicks was also instructive. It was also fun to get as much attention from the speaker and praise after the race from other drivers and the audience, Charlotte explains.

In the pre-final on Sunday she started 31st on dry track, but was unfortunately put off the track in the chicane by another driver after only four laps.

The final was an exciting story as the rain came again. This time the rain was completely pouring down and all drivers switched to wet tires in the "pre-start area". After three laps the final was stopped because it was considered too dangerous to continue.

- It was like taking a bath. You couldn’t see anything because of the spray from all karts and it was even hard to see were the track was, Charlotte continues.

The final was restarted after an hour when the rain had subsided. After four laps remaining, there was a dry line on the track, but Charlotte was able to run effectively without burning the rain tires, and finished on 23rd place.

- The kart went well in the rain and I had really fun out there. Since I have had so little track time in rain I'm very pleased with my efforts, Charlotte concludes.

For more information:

Charlotte Haegermark Motorsport:
Contact person: Charlotte Haegermark
E-mail: charlotte@charlotteracing.se
Phone: +46 (0)737-182996