So how do all the top racing drivers get started in competitive racing? Short answer, Karting. This back to basics grass roots motorsport has been around since the mid 1950s where it was first started in the USA. 

American Airmen serving in the UK took up the cheap sport of kart racing and already having a "track", what with the runways and taxi ways around their stations, they were soon enjoying racing when the aircraft were not flying.

The local Brits noticed the Yanks having fun in their strange little race cars and got involved. Helping to organise events and racing with them, is how the Fulbeck Kart Club started. The Americans and most of the runways and infrastructure have long gone from RAF Fulbeck but the sound of Kart racing can still be heard most weekends.

We visited Fulbeck for round two of the Sprint Series. Like most petrol heads, I have done a bit of karting, not the serious competitive kind, the turn up put on a baggie boiler suit and ill-fitting helmet and take part in a "Grand Prix" against your mates kind. 

So armed with this comprehensive knowledge base I headed for the track to see if it is worth photographing. I know karting is popular in the UK but I was still surprised to see how many people had turned up at the end of a potholed muddy farm track to take part over the weekend.

The place was absolutely packed, mainly with Dads, but with a few Mums and their children, mostly sons but also quite a few daughters which was encouraging to see. I'm a huge fan of a more diverse lineup on the grid in all forms of motorsport. The only way that is going to happen is at the grass roots level.

The track at Fulbeck runs east - west with viewing areas only on the southern side so the sun is always shining on the drivers helping you get nice bright punchy images. It did rain quite fiercely with a bit of hail for a short time. 

It was no problem as there are a few buildings to take cover in and the Karting community are a friendly hospitable bunch so there were plenty of offers to shelter in the many gazebos around the site. 

The first thing you must do as a spectator photographer at an event with children involved is find race control and sign on as a photographer. This is not specific to Fulbeck this is all Kart tracks. With so many young people taking part they need to be protected so be aware of this and it will be advisable to not take pictures of the children away from the track, unless permission is given by the parents.

For this event I packed a mixed bag of lenses; not knowing the track I wanted to cover all the bases. A walk round lens, mid sized zoom and a superzoom are recommended. A superzoom is not really needed as you are so close to the action. However, a superzoom foreshortens the shot and gives a pleasing result.

The track is surprisingly large with a few safety fences around the track but not too many, mostly you can get an unobscured view. As a test, I shot through the thick wire at the first bend near the paddock access. As you can see, using a long focal length and wide aperture removes the fence and you can get a good shot.

While signing on I didn’t ask for access to the track as this site is about the spectator photographer and Fulbeck doesn't allow you to go on the track. There is a chatty resident photographer who I passed a few pleasant minutes with discussing photography so that's probably the reason. However, at other tracks this restriction doesn't apply so ask you might get out on track if that is your ambition. 

If track side is the direction you want to take your photography Karting is a great place to start your journey. Out there are the stars of the future and if you get to know them and produce great images for them you might just get dragged along on their journey. Lewis Hamilton started out in Karting, just saying.

As with just about every motorsport these days the regulations demand that the vehicles are fitted with transponders. This enables quick, accurate results and enables the teams to analyze the performance of the drivers in different sectors in real time.

Karting is no different and live timing with real time track representation is available from Alphatiming.co.uk. As the photographer looking to find the stars of the future these sites are a great source of information and add another dimension to your day at the track. 

In-between races I always like to have a chat to the spectators and anyone carrying a camera. Karl was sporting a Nikon D2, a camera that I also use on occasion. This got us chatting. It transpired he was using it to capture his son Jensen take his first steps in motorsport. I managed to get Karl to pen a few words on his experiences as a novice "team manager" so far.

Ackers Images 2019

Jensen, my son, was competing in the Bambino class races, when he wasn’t racing we spent time chatting and gaining experience with our new karting Facebook friends. Karting can be fairly cheap motorsport if you buy second hand equipment.  

Jensen initially learned to drive at Daytona in Manchester, taking karting lessons and a few tests to get his arrive and drive module. Before drivers can participate in some competitions, they must obtain an MSA license by taking the ARKS test at an approved school. The test consists of both a written multiple-choice examination and a practical driving test. It covers all aspects of the sport, emphasising safety and good driving technique. The ARKS licence is to participate in MSA championships and also in the BKC. Fulbeck IKR Sprint Series follows the rules of MSA but you don’t need a ARK license in this Championship. 

We then attended open practice sessions at Fulbeck and Tattershall, giving him seat time to improve his speed and confidence. Having now committed to Karting we knew our costs would be more than just hobby expenditure. 

Facebook again provided the link to the second hand karting market and from this we bought Jensen a Wright bambino rolling chassis. Subsequently purchasing race wear, oil and petrol we were almost ready, we just needed an engine! As I see it there are many ways to go with the Comer C50 engine. All depends on your budget. A new tagged engine needs running in for 15-20 hours = £, a tagged second hand one has hours on it ££ and then there is the Terminator, Soixante tagged dyno tune engines on a waterbrake with a matched carburettor or a race proven engine £££.

Ackers Images 2019

We opted for a tagged second hand with a new tagged engine as a practice one. Once getting the engine we purchased a spares pack up, track rods, pods, wheels, tyres and carb parts. Our total bill to date is just under £6k. You then have to budget for fuel and track hire for the full season and you are good to go racing. With his own kart and safety equipment Jensen has attended open practice at Tattershall, Fulbeck and Whilton Mill. Which has also been a great learning platform for me, the parent/mechanic.

At Fulbeck Jensen attended Rookie Racing Training Academy. Here he has been given tuition on flags, safety, and the all important guidance on the correct racing line. This led us into taking part in the Fulbeck IKR Series; his first race was in February 2019.

Once Jensen has achieved his ARC license he will then be entered into the British Karting Club, BKC, organised and run by Darren Beavers using pooled engines, which is a drivers championship more than who has the best tuned engine.  To ease the financial burden we have great support from JustAudiVW and BG Printing both local Lincoln firms for Jensen’s new session sporting new kart livery with his race number #12. 

As a novice to Kart racing Jensen will have to start at the back of the grid the grid for a minimum of three races. His next race in the series is Round 3 at Fulbeck and this will be the last time he has do this. Once that race is complete he will then be competitive and in the heats for the next race. 

For the spectator photographer Fulbeck and Karting in general is great sport to photograph. The karts are colorful and the environment is relaxed and welcoming. The variety of karts from the sedate Bambinos class to rapid acceleration of the adult classes give you a variety of speeds to practice your panning and camera control. 

That concludes our first look at Karting and our coverage of the Fulbeck Sprint Series Round 2.