Rob Goes Racing

TL;DR - I'm now a qualified driving instructor, and I'll be back on YouTube soon!

Here it is! The reason I've been missing from YouTube for a little while!

In September 2024 I started working as a self-employed Trainee Driving Instructor (PDI). It's a long process with long wait times for tests. Whilst you operate as a trainee instructor, you are legally (!) not allowed to call yourself a driving instructor and most importantly you cannot advertise yourself on social media as being one.
For a social media creator like myself, this is obviously quite tricky as I've had to be very careful what I say. I've been to TeamSport (Sheffield, Leicester and Warrington) in my work car (albeit with the L roofbox off for the ones further away!) and so some people will have seen and asked me about it, which was fine.

In January I had my first of three attempts at the final test required to become a qualified driving instructor, unfortunately that time I was unsuccessful. It was at that point, that I realised I needed to focus a little more on my training and a little less on go-karting/YouTube! So I did that, I stepped away silently and focused.
I'm proud to say in April I passed my qualifying test on the 2nd attempt. However, as I was still bound by the rules of my trainee license I still couldn't say anything, as I wasn't able to legally advertise myself as a driving instructor.
Today that changes! My green badge, showing that I am a qualified approved driving instructor has arrived and I can finally call myself a Driving Instructor.
I still need to work a few things out, as I need to increase my pupil numbers to get my salary back to a stable amount again. But I'll be back fairly soon!

I've been recording videos, Grid Series at Sheffield, along with a few other things. We've a new event format (Trackmaster) and another one tonight (Uno), which I'm taking part in (although I have a bad shoulder, so not expecting a great performance! 🙄). At this stage, I'm unable to commit to BIKC 2025, but we'll see how things go.

Incidentally, if you're looking for driving lessons and you're in an area I cover (part of S8, S17, S18, S41 postcode areas), hit me up! 👍

It's finally coming!

The Autumn Grid Series from 2024. Releasing each round on the dates shown.

I can't quite believe it! I fully intended to "just do better than last year", with my aim being to make it into the top 12 and into the grand final.

I got lucky for qualifying, especially at a track where it was going to be vital to start high up the grid. Kart 20 was the fastest of the fleet, I was last out on track and tried to back off and make some space. Some drivers ahead had the same idea though and I found traffic pretty quickly, having passed some, I found another gap and pushed. I wasn't expecting a lot as I didn't feel I'd had a tidy lap.
I was shown the number 1 finger on the way into the pits and my heart was racing!

It then became a story of defence, and unfortunately some rather boring video footage. Not great for a YouTuber 🙄! With two different karts, I started and finished both heats in 1st place, with Gary close behind in 2nd. Just like the local finals!

I started to worry about the semi-final. I knew I was allocated a slow kart and had right behind me in a quicker one! I held him off for a few laps, before the driver behind him started fighting for 2nd place. At which point, as I didn't need to defend anymore, I pushed on and pulled a comfortable lead.

The grand final was much the same story again. Starting in first, I soon found myself with a comfortable lead. Only we had a red flag, with a rolling restart. I had to do it all again! I once again pulled a bit of a lead, but my back was becoming an issue, so I dropped my pace a little to ensure I could make it to the end of the race.

A 1-2 for Sheffield middleweight drivers in the end. Well done to Kav and Joel for 2nd and 3rd place. See you at Warrington!

🏆 BIKC Middleweight Regional Champion 2024 🏆

What a night!
Firstly, congratulations to everyone who made it this far.
We had low numbers this year at Sheffield, which was a bit disappointing, but the quality of racing made up for it!

I know an element of luck always comes into it, especially with rental karts and I'm just thankful that luck was on my side when I needed it!

After nabbing the fastest kart (9) for practice, setting a new personal best (in the new karts) in the process, that kart was removed for being too quick.
It then took me a few laps to get used to kart 17 in qualifying, but was I able to pop it on pole on the final lap!

That just left the race. I wasn't impressed with the kart, and my pace showed that. Thankfully, I was able to hold 1st and eventually start to pull out a bit of a gap.

A huge shout-out to Charlie, as a mega drive saw him recover from last up to 2nd!

Congratulations to all who progress through to the regionals and good luck!

Fair play to all the staff involved. I know some people will be left disappointed, but I do feel the way the evening was run was the fairest it could be. A huge improvement from last year 👍

Here comes Leicester!

A few photos from a family day out. My eldest turns 6 soon, so we took a sunny drive down to Silverstone Museum to celebrate. Can you tell what I'm drawn to the most? I've always wanted one! 😂

Even managed to watch some on track action, as the Classic Sports Car Club were racing.

The new karts have arrived, so it's just one thing left for me to do!

I wasn't sure if I was going to sign up at Sheffield with the condition of the karts. But having driven the new ones last night, I now know it should be a much fairer competition locally!

Have you seen the new bonus video for this week yet? I got a chance to try out speed 4 on the SODI electric karts at TeamSport Liverpool, whilst the short Combat Karts track was free!

https://youtu.be/BV8GMghTn-Q?si=npfbg0pShEEaI6Me

ELECTRIC SUNDAY!

I'll be visiting TeamSport Warrington and the recently re-opened TeamSport Liverpool on Sunday. Both are now using electric karts, but from two different manufacturers. It'll be interesting to do the back-to-back comparison!

So it seems the YouTube Gods have decided to promote my vlog video! 😂
I'm getting mixed reactions in the comments though, with a lot of opinions claiming it's £90 for a days work. I'm not replying to anymore, as I can only reply saying it's 3 hours work, with a very long commute! 😂

Did you watch? What are your thoughts?

It's time for another karting Sunday!
I'll be visiting two tracks for the first time on Sunday! A public session at TeamSport Leicester, followed by a sprint race at Daytona Milton Keynes!

We've got a different style of video coming tomorrow!
I quit my desk job at the beginning of February - Whilst out delivering a car to make some money, I thought I'd bring you along for the day!

It's my first vlog style video, so go easy on me! 🤣