Driver blog

The second race in the German championship in KZ2 was held on Prokart Raceland in Wackersdorf 29th-31st of May. 30 guest drivers from the European Championship series were in place for the opportunity to practice before the European Championship race on the same track in June. This was my toughest race ever because of these international top drivers and the 66 drivers in total.

On Friday we had four practice sessions on a dry track.

We tested a lot of settings during practice and we got rid of the biggest problem with too little grip back, by changing the rear axle.

On Saturday, the weather forecast was unclear, but all my sessions throughout the day, were run on a dry track.

The time qualification was a disappointment from both team and driver’s side.

We had a setting that was adapted for about 8 laps, but I did just 5 laps and the tires never came up in the right working temperature. I simply felt that I couldn’t go any faster after those 5 laps and didn’t want to stress the tires too much.

In the three heats driven, I finished on 25th, 26th and 25th position.

In the first heat I had much under steering and had to adjust my driving too much for it to go fast, however, we fixed that later on and the kart felt more balanced.

After the three qualifying heats I was totally on a 53rd place in the list of 66 drivers. This meant Second Chance for me. In this heat 34 drivers started but only six would go on to the A-finals on Sunday.

I started in 25th place and made a very strong start and was as high as 14th place before I unfortunately was pushed off the track from behind by a competitor on the sixth lap.

I’m of course disappointed to have to retire from yet another race, but this weekend brought some positive things. I’ve never done such strong laps initially. The chassis was good, I made a lot of overtaking and had great pace. Also, I managed to stay out of trouble in all three heats despite much crashes.

Next race is run 3rd-5th of July in Ampfing where the A-final is the goal.

Today I’m off to Germany again. This time for the second race in the German KZ2 Championship at the track in Wackersdorf. It’ll be exciting because we have 30 guest drivers to this race in KZ2, all wanting to practice for the European Championship race held in Wackersdorf in June.

This will be my toughest race in my ten year long karting career, because of all these European Championship drivers.

Back home again on Monday. Wish me luck please!

The first race in the German KZ2 Championship was run on the fast karting track at Oschersleben on April 24th-26th. The competition was tough with 20 drivers from the European Championship and all together including 134 drivers from 19 countries.

Since I never had raced on the track before, it was important to get as many laps as possible at the practice sessions and then be able to concentrate on the chassis settings.

During the practice sessions we tested various set-ups to get the chassis as flexible and smooth as possible.

The time qualification was a 10 minutes session and the drivers were free to choose when to start their session. I went out on the track when it was 7 minutes left of the session and got the time 37.544 sec, thereby qualifying in to place 32.

This year the competition was tougher than last year since there were 20 drivers from the European Championship. One can see clearly how much difference there is between the drivers who are racing for a big team and the few private drivers, with significantly smaller resources especially regarding the engine performance.

In the heats, I started at 21st and 22nd position. In the first heat I crossed the line on 19th place and the second heat on 20th place.

Unfortunately I had the same problem in both races. In the first laps I had no grip at all and I had to adjust my driving so much that it wasn’t possible to run as fast as I’d like.

In the B-final I started in fourth place and the first six from this final would go to the A-final. On the third lap I was badly hit by another driver, who climbed up from the rear of the wheels, over the water hose, cut the tire and then down again. Because of this we both lost four places. The lap after that the same driver run over my left side again, and because of that I spun around and didn’t make it to the A-final.

I think this was so unnecessary and I’m so disappointed. I was fourth and he was fifth when this happened, so both had the chance to come to the A-final.

However, there were positive things with the race weekend.

Time wise, I’m closer to the top drivers now, than I was before. The 0.7 sec gap to the European Championship runner up last year, Rick Dreezen, is something I take with me to the upcoming races.

Got home yesterday from Stockholm, where I was attending the Swedish National Karting Team Camp at Bosön (a sports center for sports men and women). We had a lot of fitness training and a sports psychology class.

Tomorrow I’m off to Germany and the karting track in Oschersleben, where the first race in the German KZ2 Championship is set. I haven’t driven there before so the four practice sessions on Friday will be intense.

Also, I just signed a contract with my biggest sponsor so far and I’m so happy that Applicate ( http://www.applicate.se ) gives me opportunity to race.

It feels good now that I know now what I’ll be driving this year. I’m doing karting in the German KZ2 Championship again this year. I’ve worked full time with sponsoring during the winter and of course physical training. I can say that I have never been so well prepared physically for a season, as I am now. Lot’s of training for the muscles and I feel really strong.

As for me and many other drivers, it has been so difficult to find partners in the overall financial crisis. But you have to struggle on and do as much as you can and hope for better times soon.

I’ve also spent some time this weekend in the garage and soon I’ll be doing the seat fitting and the correction of my pedals. You know I’m only 150 cm tall and we have to do a special arrangement for the pedals.

My first race will be 11th of April in Sweden and after that I’m headed for the German KZ2 Championship.

Just a short note about what I’m up to for the moment... I’m busy with sponsor meetings and preparations for the season. My first race, in ADAC Kart Masters, will take place at the karting track in Oschersleben (right next to the racing track) 4th-5th of April. Yesterday when I went home from work in the afternoon, It felt almost like spring! No more snow I hope!

Right after ADAC Kart Masters I’ll have a few practise days in Gothenburg, at Gothenburg Kart Practise Week 4th-10th of April (www.team13.se). This week is very popular and drivers come from many countries to practise.

Well, I have also posted a new video on my website: http://www.charlotteracing.se/sv/page/video

Take care.

Last week I was informed by the National Team Manager Celeste Galloni, that I had been nominated for the Swedish National Karting Team in 2009. As the only female, together with about 20 other drivers, I will represent Sweden in the gearbox class KZ2 in the German Championship.

The team will participate in a training camp at Bosön, where the Swedish elite sports men and women have the majority of their physical training located. Looking forward to it!

As for many drivers, it will be hard to fund this season, but so far I have signed contracts with seven sponsors. I’m very happy for that!

Recently got home from Stockholm. We arrived on Friday and on Saturday it was time to participate in the KAK cup. Every year, The Royal Swedish Automobile Club arrange this indoor gokart cup with racing drivers, celebrities and business people.

In the endurance race, our team finished second, after setting a real good pace in the final! You can find more pictures on my website http://www.charlotteracing.se.

Just got home from a workout class at the gym, Bodypump. That’s one of my favourite classes because you work so much with weights and really strengthen all muscles in your body.

Other than Bodypump I go to MRL (stomach, bottom and thighs) and Bodycombat (stamina with karate, boxing, tai chi, taekwondo).

Now I’m going to continue with my new promotion video.

Bye bye.

Hope you all are well.

I have been busy during the past weeks with preparations for next season. Today I was on yet another sponsor meeting. It went well, and I hope we can arrange something good.

In late February I should have my plans for 2009 done.

’Til then, take care!