Hooton Park Test In My Own Kart

There’s a certain kind of nervous excitement that comes with trying something new, especially when that “something” involves speed, split-second decisions, and the unpredictable forces of nature. I’d long been drawn to motorsports, watching glossy Formula 1 cars pirouette through rainy circuits and drivers wrangle their vehicles through the streets & circuits. But until recently, my only experience behind the wheel was confined to the dry, forgiving tarmac of my local indoor go-kart track, and 1 day at a warm and sunny Hooton circuit. That changed dramatically on Sunday when I arrived to find Hooton circuit slick with rain, the surface glistening like black ice under a low, brooding sky. As we pulled into the car park, windshield wipers in full swing, I noticed puddles dotted all around the place. The steady drizzle had transformed the familiar landscape into something altogether more formidable. I stepped out of the car and drew in the damp air. Ian (my mechanic) was already there unloading my kart from the back of the van, now even though I’d done a day outside in a kart already, I could tell this would be a completely different experience and I couldn’t wait to get out there.

Driving in the wet.

Now while Ian was setting my kart up for me, Jack (driver coach) told me we were going to go on a track walk so I could see where puddles were and get a feel for the track in these conditions. While walking round the track I could feel my excitement growing because I just wanted to get ready and head out. When we got back to where my kart was being set up, I couldn’t help but notice that the team had put my number on the kart, I was so excited when I saw that I just wanted to get out there. I suited up, the familiar crinkle of the overalls echoing my jittery excitement. The air was thick with anticipation, the low rumble of engines mixing with the patter of rain on the awning roof. Helmet on, gloves tightened, I made my way to the pit lane. My kart, number 43, sat waiting, its tyres shiny with moisture. I slid into the seat, heart pounding, and gripped the steering wheel. Ian waved me forward, and I was off.

My Kart.

The sensation of driving on a wet track is instantly different. Gone is the reassuring grip of dry tarmac—every input is amplified, every mistake magnified. In the first corner, I noticed straight away the difference and knew I’d have plenty to learn that day.

The wet surface demanded patience and precision. Each session, I experimented with different lines, searching for patches of grip. Sometimes, I found myself drifting wide and found I had to rely on my training as I corrected a slide. Other times, I nailed the corner perfectly, feeling the kart track true as an arrow through the apex. In these moments, I felt a surge of exhilaration and joy unique to mastering the unexpected.

As they day went on the rain stopped and the sun came out and started drying the track out. Now it was time to switch to slick tyres and set the kart up for the dry weather. When the kart was finished it was time to head to the pit lane again, my excitement was bubbling, I just wanted to get out there and see what i could do with the kart in the dry conditions. After getting the last few instructions from Jack on what he wanted me to do that session, I slipped myself into the kart, started the engine and put my foot to the throttle! My first few laps I took it steady, learning which areas of the track had more grip and which was the best line to take. Once I knew which line I wanted to take I put my foot down and was off, breaking later and only lifting in some corners.

At the end of the day when I came into the pit lane after my last session, I couldn’t believe it was over, I wanted to stay out there, to keep putting in them laps, to keep improving. When I climbed out of the kart, Ian and Jack said I had done a great job. While we were getting packed up Ian & Jack asked if I wanted to go to Whilton Mill Circuit on Wednesday. I obviously said yes! They told me over the next few days just study the track, watch old races and run the track on my sim. So that’s what I’ve done for the past few days is study and tomorrow I get to go out in my kart again.