DYKC Championship Round 1 Gallery
The updated galleries are now online including the latest round from 19th April. Although smaller numbers than usual, due to a clash with the 2nd round of the NKF Championship at Larkhall, it was a great day with some new faces enjoying the Teesside sun! View the gallery here
Winter Series 3 Gallery
Pictures provided by Nick Purdie are now posted here for the March meeting. Special thanks to Nick for standing in for our regular photographer. Click here to view the gallery
Featured Driver – Robert Shield
Words and pictures kindly submitted by Michael and Julie Shield
For a number of years Robert was asking for a Kart, his grand-pa had raced karts in the 50s, his dad had rallycrossed in the 80s, so it was only a matter of time!
In February 08, when Robert was 13, we had a look at Warden Law, saw what was available and went away to think about it. Junior TKM seemed the most reasonable option.
We began racing at Warden Law in March 08, it was a huge learning curve but Robert certainly seemed to have a racing spirit. In only his second meeting he won during extremely adverse weather conditions of snow and sleet, beating his nearest rival by the full length of the start/finish straight. He was running a strong 2nd in the championship with the possibility of leading when Robert broke his wrist at home, by this time we thought it was time to move onto bigger and better grids ready for the possibility of competing in the Northern Karting Federation Championship (NKF). We went to Rowrah, to enable Robert to get his MSA licence. It was fantastic we had a great time and were hooked. We spent time last year visiting Fulbeck, Three Sisters, Wombwell and Larkhall, just to let Robert have a feel for other circuits and prepare him for the 09 NKF.
The latter part of last year we joined ‘The Clan’, a Scottish based team who have been invaluable with their help and support. Andrew Fairley, boss of the Scottish team, has advised us on technical setup and on aspects of driver training and race tactics.
We were delighted Teesside Karting has become a MSA track run by DYKC, this means we have a local track where Robert can concentrate on a local championship.
2009 has begun so well, Robert loves the Teesside circuit and consistently showed he is very quick, his string of wins means he took the Winter Championship, not bad bearing in mind he had been racing for less than a year.
Robert’s biggest achievement so far is winning the prestigious, TKM Platinum Cup at Three Sisters, Wigan in March which he had only entered in order to gain race mileage on the Three Sisters track before the NKF visits the venue later this year. Immediately matching the pace of the leading contenders, Robert finished his first two heats in second place before winning the third heat. He then led the final from the start, beating more experienced racer Aaron Mansergh to win and claim the Platinum Cup. The event carried a fantastic prize package including a new racesuit and a Ferarri/single seater driving experience which includes one-to-one training and coaching sessions at both Three Sisters and Donington.
Sadly we will be missing the 1st round of the DYKC Summer Championship as we are at Larkhall for the 2nd round of the NKF where Robert is currently lying in 4th place.
Have a great weekend and we will be back in May.