Page 21 - QARANC Vol 20 No 1 2022

The Gazette QARANC Association 21
A sport where the
adrenaline rush
never goes away
Capt Chelsea Wright, a burns and plastics specialist nurse in QARANC, commissioned since 2019, gives an update on the Army Karting Team’s 2021 season.
I got involved in the Army Karting Team through seeing the advertisement of the karting trials their Twitter page (@army_kart_team).
Karting is a sport that I have always enjoyed, so this looked like a great opportunity.
The trials were challenging with over 80 people attending, both male and female. The numbers were reduced after day one, and there was more teaching on the second day.
This was the first year the Army
Karting Team had ever had a QARANC join them, and I am very proud to be the first. Many people in the Corp have never heard of the sport within the army and I want to spread the awareness of future opportunities.
The Armed Forces Championships has consisted of four race weekends, but the number of races was reduced due to Covid restrictions. The Endurance races have either been three hours split between two or three drivers, or two one-hour 30 mins races split between two or three drivers.
As a novice, the season was challenging and a massive learning curve. I had never competed in events with up to 40 drivers on the grid.
The more experienced drivers do track walks and give advice, which was appreciated. And with every race I learned something new, whether it was how to handle a failure in the kart,
dodging collisions or just ways to keep more speed through corners.
Being part of the team, means doing everything together. It’s important to take part in the set up prior to race day, assistance with maintenance of the karts prior, during and post-race. As well as packing up after the race and taking all kit and equipment back to the barracks.
Karting is a sport where the adrenaline rush never goes away. I enjoyed every minute and getting to do this as part of my job was a bonus. There will be trials in 2022, so if you are interested, please keep a look out on social media for dates. Capt Wright received a grant from the Association to help fund vital safety equipment.