Halkirk kart driver Jamie Mackay gears up for next season
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Halkirk kart driver Jamie Mackay has been enjoying a successful racing season, adding the Northern Challenge to his tally this year.
The challenge was held over two weekends at Boyndie, the base of Grampian Kart Club, and his home track of Golspie (North of Scotland Kart Club).
In karting, drivers are awarded zero for a win so a low score is the aim of the competition. At Boyndie, Jamie (23) had two seconds and two firsts in the senior max 177 class, scoring minimum points.
When he went to Golspie he ran wide in the first heat so came fourth. However, he had three heats after that and won the final by a good distance.
Jamie also won the title of best north of Scotland driver after securing the least points in that category. In addition to that he was one of the four drivers who came first in the team challenge. The names for this event are picked out of a hat.
Earlier in the season he won the Scottish karting Super Series senior max 177 class title after securing the best points over rounds at three circuits. He also won both the August and September challenge awards.
Jamie said: "It has been going quite well this season"
He explained that since changing the chassis on the cart he was feeling more comfortable in it. "It feels like it suits me better," he said.
With October marking the end of the season, the Dounreay fitter is now looking forward to next year and has plans to take part in a few races in England which would involve more travelling. "It is a different kettle of fish down there," he said.
He is also considering moving up to the gearbox classes in the future. Describing it as a faster more competitive class he said: "It is something I would like to do."
Jamie has been karting for seven years, starting when he was 17. His father Jay is also a keen kart driver and is the chairman of the North of Scotland Kart Club.
