Wet conditions made for a steep learning curve and Robert managed to spin a few times, but without damaging the kart in the process. The track proved to be a challenge and we attempted to put in as many laps as possible but practice ended up being curtailed when a thick fog rolled in at 3:30pm.

Sunday also started out wet and we took the opportunity to gain a bit more track time in the morning practice. Remarkably, by the time of the first race the rain, which had appeared to have set in for the weekend, had stopped and the track had slowly started to dry out.

Robert Green had allocated fourth position in the draw for the first race, and like all other competitors ventured out on wet tyres. At the start, he slotted into fourth and was right on the tail of the next kart heading into Tongs hairpin for the first time. Unfortunately, the fifth placed driver left his braking a little bit too late and ran into the back of the Team Green Racing kart. Robert was flicked sideways and at the same time pushed into the back of the third placed kart. He gathered it back up without spinning, but in the chaos let the revs drop too far and the engine stalled, something it hadn't done in a race for quite some time. With no drive, Robert coasted down the hill to the pits to retire without completing a lap. Dale Madden won the heat from the rear of the grid after a masterful drive with Chris Price second.

Pricey wins the 'scratch the chrome' award

Race two was gridded in reverse to race one, and Robert consequently started the heat in tenth position. By this time the track was virtually dry and we made the decision to run on slicks, a move that was copied by the majority of the other competitors.

On the outside of the grid at the start, Robert was pushed back to eleventh at the first corner. Running in the dry for the first time, still learning the track and lacking a little straight line speed Robert found that the only way forward was by making forceful passing moves under braking. This made a bit of a mess of the previously pristine bodywork, but by the end of the race Robert had moved up to sixth place, with Lyn Cengia taking the race win.

Race two highlights

Race three was gridded on the basis of the results of the previous two races and with the DNF in the first race Robert started from tenth on the grid. The outcome was similar to race  two, with more bodywork damage and another sixth place.

Race three's effort

With the grid order determined by the combined results for the previous three races, Robert started the fifteen lap final from sixth position. A poor start left the Team Green Racing kart at the tail of the field at the end of the first lap, but by the end of lap nine after some hard racing Robert had moved up to fourth place and was slowly closing on Lyn Cengia in third. A podium position looked to be a possibility until lap thirteen when the rear tyres started to overheat and it was then a matter of holding position to the end of the race. Dale Madden took out an impressive win in the final and was followed home by Chris Price and Lyn.

Might as well even up the nose - souvenir from the final

All in all a fourth placing on our first visit to the circuit wasn't a bad outcome, but a better result in race one could have made a significant difference. Nevertheless the Highclere circuit is a great drive and we look forward to competing at the next race meeting there in April.

Before then though, Team Green will be busy repairing all the cosmetic damage suffered during the weekend in preparation for the next race meeting to be held at Archerville in a fortnight's time.

In closing, we would like to thank Rod and also Dale Madden for their help and advice over the course of the weekend.