"1996/7: Still too tiny to buy a kart, so went indoor racing at Playscape in London. Won most races, even against instructors. Thanks Mike for your encouragement."
- Sam Bird via his website
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Sam Birds 'CV' on his website circa 2002.
2002: Well, I really thought this would be my year - I wanted to win the JICA British title and start some European racing. However, with the new regulations and the restrictor, which favours smaller, lighter boys, it was not to be. I had some silly problems in the first race, which left me trailing the championship at 17th . However, a good place in the second race put me up to 6th. Bad luck dogged me, with a black flag for "weaving" and a couple of dnfs, so I stayed in 6th place. Some fantastic drives, through the field, earning me good publicity for the first time in a long while.
Went to Garda for first ever ICA race - wow! I love this. Came 2nd and 4th in heats and 4th in final.
Parma - again great results in practice and heats, but developed fever for race and finished 10th. Mind you, there were some 90+ entrants and I was the youngest!
Portugal. Qualified fourth in group. Set fastest lap in 2 heats. Sadly, didn't finish race but did enough to qualify for finals in Angerville. One of only four Brits to get through!
Did practice race in Spa, just to test engines ready for the final. Highest non=Belgian finisher by 11 positions. Finished third, almost photo finish with Thonon who went on to win European Championship!
European Championship. One DNF (shunted off) plus technical problems in two heats where I had to "nurse" kart home meant very poor qualifying position and didn't make finals. Started 15th in Federation Cup, had great drive and reliable kart this time, overtook almost one kart per lap, came in 5th.
Future: Hope to concentrate on practice for ICA in Europe/UK. This will be my route for next year and after that ……………
2001: After Common Entrance, I won a place at Charterhouse, in Godalming. Fabulous school and here they recognise karting as a sport and not just a hobby. Am on the short list for a sports scholarship. During this year I joined Ricky Flynn Motorsport and have learned a lot. Many technical problems, but also some very good results - have had a 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th in various heats/races.
2000: Still having problems persuading the school that I should be allowed to race on weekends. Could NEVER do Friday practice and had problems on Saturdays, because I was in every team for football, rugby, cricket, athletics and cross country! However, in 2000 I was joint winner of Buckmore Park Series and 2nd in winter series.
1999: After such success in Formula 6, rather a shock to enter Formula Junior Yamaha which was a leap too far. Many technical problems, plus my prep. School was unsupportive. However, see pic on this site of me ahead of di Resta - it really did happen once!
1997/8: Persuaded my parents to buy me a kart for 10th birthday present, but only used it very briefly, as I raced in Formula 6, courtesy of Sandown Karting. Won trophy almost every race. Novice trophies in first, second and third races, after that, always on podium. Once I had finished being a novice, very often came in half a lap ahead of the rest of the field.
1996/7: Still too tiny to buy a kart, so went indoor racing at Playscape in London. Won most races, even against instructors. Thanks Mike for your encouragement.
1995: Aged 8, had first lessons at Silverstone. Far too small to reach pedals but thoroughly enjoyed experience and couldn't wait to get back into a kart.
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