The time I nearly died in a kart

I first went karting with colleagues as a work social event. Work social events need a focus so you've got something to talk about besides work.

One place we went a few times was in an old warehouse. There was a wide central area, then two rows of concrete pillars with more space beyond them, like the aisles of a church. One aisle had the pit area. The other had part of the track running along it, then coming out between two pillars, which made that part very narrow.

In my first race, I was trying to pass someone who took the narrow part very slowly. I realised that if I held back a little, then caught up with him when he slowed for that part, my extra momentum might get me along side him on the next straight. The plan worked. I was going full pelt while he was still picking up speed. That's when things went wrong.

I thought he'd go to the left, so I went to the right. As soon as I'd done that, I knew it was a mistake. He went to the right too. I don't think he knew I was there. The gap between his kart and the side wall of the track was suddenly too small, but I was going too fast to avoid hitting him. My front wheel touched his back wheel, the left side of my kart flipped up, and I was flying.

The kart had tipped to the right, and so my head was over the barrier at the edge of the track. Just beyond the barrier were the concrete pillars. I could see that my head was travelling straight towards one pillar. Time seems to slow down in a situation like that. Mental calculations followed. "I'm wearing a crash helmet, so my head will be ok", then "My body and the kart are both going to miss the pillar, so my head will probably come off, or at least I'll break my neck." Pause. "I don't think I can do anything about this. I'm surprised at how calm I'm feeling."

Then the right hand side of the kart touched the the floor, which flipped me back up the right way. Time went back to normal. I had landed in the pit entrance, and I was sitting in between two concrete pillars, hands still on the steering wheel. A track marshall ran up. "Are you OK?" "Er... yes." My tone of voice did it's best to convey that I had thought I was going to die, but I'm completely unhurt.

I went into a strange mental state. It was as if I wasn't really there. I was functioning, but the usual me inside my head had gone for a lie down. I had further heats to compete in. I did really well. When it came to the final, I thought to myself "Stay in that mental state, it's working for you." But that was the usual me, back from his lie down. I didn't win.

I saw the bloke I'd hit. I didn't know him. He had a big dressing on his shoulder. Wow, I must have driven over his shoulder. He came over and told me what he thought of me, and said that I'd spoiled his hockey match the next day.

Nowadays, hire karts have enclosed wheels. I don't think an accident like that would be possible. And the place with the concrete pillars has long since closed.

#karting

#crash

back to stories