Explorer Scouts can get pretty competitive sometimes! And our last meeting of the term certainly proved that to be the case as we went karting at Midland Karting centre, near Lichfield.

After the safety briefing the Explorers emerged form the porta-cabin and into the evening sunlight of the karting track, now looking glorious in racing overalls, gloves, balaclava and helmet. The unit was split into two groups, which was ideal as it meant each of the groups would have 15 minutes on the track followed by 15 minutes of watching the other group and then repeated… a chance to learn where there are slippery patches of track and to formulate their racing line strategies.

The first team went out, with a mix of determination and trepidation almost in equal measure. Watching from the sidelines it was almost as thrilling as being on track. There were plenty of spills and spin-outs and plenty of dramatic over-taking manoeuvres… do they have no fear?! Electronic timings kept us in check with progress and we tracked the early leaders and then the challengers as times improved as they gained confidence in their ability to handle corners at speed.

As each team completed their session the noise from their excited chatter outdid the engines of the karts, each racer comparing their experience with each other.

Was that you that overtook me on the inside?

I lost it big time there! Massive spin-out!

I was facing backwards and you were all coming past me!

So close to beating your time! Tenths of a second!

Their second sessions saw some massively improved times, with one racer actually halving their lap-time from the first session. But the electronic trackers don’t lie, and there were clear winners for each of the two groups, presented with their medals, podium style… but without the champagne, of course!

(Note to self: bring a bottle of cheap nosecco next time for the race winners to spray the slower racers! 😊)