A Day at the Races with Zayn Perry
Earlier this year, we were delighted to sponsor Zayn Perry, an up-and-coming young kart racer competing at junior level. Zayn and his dad, Kris, recently invited the Pro Group Repairs team along to experience a race day for ourselves at Whilton Mill Racetrack and what an experience it was.
From the moment we arrived at the Champions Kart Club race meeting, the atmosphere was electric. With fields full of vans, motorhomes, karts and racing teams, it quickly became clear just how much commitment, organisation and teamwork goes into competitive karting.
We had the pleasure of meeting Zayn’s mum, dad and nan, while Kris gave us an insight into how a race weekend works and what we could expect throughout the day.
Race day
One of the biggest challenges of the day was the unpredictable weather.
Between the first and second races, changing conditions made tyre choice a real gamble. With the track becoming damp, teams had to decide whether to opt for slicks or wet-weather tyres. The rain appeared to be holding off, so the majority of drivers went with slicks.
Zayn began the race in an impressive 3rd position, but some rainfall on the track contributed to a collision at one of the opening bends, dropping him all the way down to 14th.
What happened next was incredibly impressive
Over the course of the short race, Zayn battled his way back through the field and finished among the leading drivers. Seeing the action up close gave us a completely new appreciation for the speed and skill involved in karting. A lap can take as little as 46 seconds, with some karts capable of reaching around 75 mph.
It also became clear that karting is about far more than simply getting behind the wheel. Weather conditions, tyre choice, kart setup and adjustments all need to be carefully considered by Zayn and his team. Every decision can make a difference.
Life behind the helmet
Between races, we had the chance to catch up with Zayn and find out a little more about life away from the track.
Like many 13-year-olds, he enjoys playing Xbox with his friends when he gets some downtime, although there isn’t a huge amount of it!
Zayn is already balancing school with gym sessions, karting practice, simulator training and full weekends of racing. Competing nationally also means plenty of travelling, making his commitment at such a young age even more impressive.
He has now progressed into the Junior Primo Class, where the karts are bigger and faster and the level of competition steps up another gear.
For Zayn, it’s another exciting milestone on his racing journey.
A real family effort
Something that stood out to us throughout the day was just how much karting is a family and team effort.
There is an enormous amount happening behind the scenes. The demands placed on both the driver and the kart mean mechanics, family and the wider team all play an important part in keeping everything running smoothly.
It was fantastic to see Zayn’s family supporting him with so much passion. His parents even told us about the nerves they feel before every race. P I roving that although Zayn is the one behind the wheel, the whole family experiences the highs and lows with him.
Their support is helping Zayn pursue an ambitious dream: one day becoming a Formula 1 racing driver.
Looking ahead
Spending the day with Zayn and his family gave us a real insight into the dedication, discipline and determination required to compete at this level.
At just 13 years old, Zayn is already demonstrating an incredible commitment to his sport, and we’re proud to play a small part in supporting his journey.
We’re looking forward to following his progress, seeing him take on new challenges in the Junior Primo Class and cheering him on at many more championships in the future.
Keep pushing, Zayn — everyone at Pro Group Repairs is behind you!
Comments