Sam Brabham concluded his Formula Kart Stars debut season with a roller coaster weekend at Ellough Park, on September 24&25, his first and only non finish of the year mixed with consistent mid-field results and a top 11th place finish.
Although the final series rounds at the 1065 metre purpose built Suffolk circuit did not deliver the results he had hoped for, the 17 year-old once again showed promise with three results on the cusp of the top 10 to seal his first national level season in the Junior Max category.
A solid practice performance helped Sam to level his best qualifying result for round 11 but he was immediately put to the test in Heat 1 where he was forced to record his first DNF of the season through no fault of his own. Following an initial red flag, Sam was battling back after a knock wide on turn three at the restart when a challenging competitor’s kart launched up over the back of Sam’s machine and landed on top of him. With his steering damaged and his arm slightly bruised, Sam was unable to continue the race that saw just 12 finishers.
Steering repairs complete, Sam made an impressive recovery in Heat 2 with a blinding start to avoid the turn one tussles before he climbed through the field to finish just outside the top 10 in 11th place.
Sam was hopeful of repeating that form in the Final from 18th on the grid and again nailed his start. Taking avoiding action due to an incident in front, however, cost him dear with a substantial gap to close but Sam enjoyed a good yo-yo battle for position with Project One teammate Charlie Elliott before confidently holding 15th at the flag.
Round 12 on Sunday saw another challenging day for Sam who was unfortunately unable to match his practice pace in qualifying. Putting that disappointment behind him, he made a lightening start from the back of the grid for Heat 1 to climb the order and finish 13th.
With a repeat of that solid performance and another 13th place finish in Heat 2, the Project One driver was determined to make the most of 14th on the grid for the Final but early contact ruined his race chances. Hit wide and then collected by a spinning kart, he was once again faced with the impossible task of regaining lost ground and although he closed the gap despite his best efforts he finished 17th.
Sam commented: “It’s been quite a trying weekend for the final rounds of the season but I’ve taken a lot on board and walk away from Ellough Park and my first Stars season a more experienced racer.
“More than anything, this weekend I had to work on my mindset and put disappointment behind me to deliver better results. It was a shame I didn’t finish Heat 1 on Saturday but it was my only DNF of the year which is quite an achievement considering the level of competition. I know I need to work on my qualifying performance, if I can perfect that I will have a much better chance and start further up the grid.
“I’ve really enjoyed my first season racing in the championship. I have learned so much at every round, from learning each track to building my race craft. While I didn’t get the results I hoped for in the final rounds I have achieved the goals I set myself at the beginning of the year.
“My main aim was to get a top 10 finish, which I achieved at Genk, and improve with every round, which I have done. I couldn’t have achieved any of that without the valued support of my sponsors Liberty International Underwriters (LIU), Ellis Clowes, Arbuthnot Latham and Grand Privé.
“Now, if anything, I am more motivated to pursue my racing career. I’m looking forward to getting some valuable testing time in over the winter before I evaluate my options for 2012.”
