Sponsored by
Bad break can't hold back Epps
Michael Epps had an amazing comeback to karting after recovering from a car crash that left him with a dislocated hip.
Having been on crutches a week before last weekend's event many were shocked to see the Hemel racer competing.
But the 18 year old had two top 10 finishes at the sixth and penultimate round of the Super One British Karting Championship.
"The weekend went as well as we could hope," he said.
"It wasn't astonishing but considering the circumstances I finished seventh and eighth which were some really good points.
"It's also much better than what we were expecting after Saturday's performance."
The Global Karting driver arrived at the Shenington track on the Friday unable to do any testing or practise due to his injuries.
"Surprisingly the hip was fine," he added.
"The kart is fitted to your body shape meaning the tight fit supported the hip and it held up well.
"It started to ache a little towards the end of the weekend, but overall I was happy with how it felt."
Having been unable to test he qualified in 20th place which meant starting much further down the grid where the majority of accidents occur.
He managed to come through unscathed and finished 12th and 14th in the two heats on Saturday .
With significant changes made to the kart it meant Epps could up the pace for Sunday's racing.
He started 17th for the first final and through some sensible driving managed to make up an astonishing ten places to finish seventh.
With the kart now up to pace, once again his tactics proved perfect as he finished the grand final in eighth place.
These two results have kept him in 10th place overall for the championship, and he could still finish as high as fifth with one round left to go:
"I'm hoping to do even better at the final round.
"It's a long track so is all about engine power rather than handling but it would be nice to get a win."
Before the next round in Wigan, Epps will take on the London Championship on Friday September 17 and Saturday September 18, where he will be competing for the first time as a senior.
Epps is looking forward to racing where he and 2008 Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton, began their karting career.
Epps was victorious in this championship twice as a junior and won here as a senior at club level earlier on in the season.
"It's looking quite promising considering I've won here a few times already.
"I'm feeling confident about it but it's not going to be easy as there will be a lot of good local racers."
Next year Epps has plans for bigger things and is hoping to move onto racing cars in Formula V.
"I've had enough of karting now so am hoping to move on.
"Everyone around me is moving out of karting and going on to achieve greater things so I think its worth seeing what I can do at a higher level."
by Matt Bodimeade
editorial@hemelgazette.co.uk
Hemel racer Michael Epps in action for Global Karting.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
