West Norfolk kart racer Jenson Sayell took part in the Wera Tools British Championship O Plate event at Whilton Mill, Northants over the Easter Weekend.
The weekend proved to be extremely challenging for the youngster from Marshland St James.
Friday's practice was mostly in wet conditions with only the last session being dry in which Sayell was 16th from 23.
Saturday was dry with the format consisting of further practice, two qualifying sessions and two heats.
With 46 karts registered the grid was split into two groups.
The practice session quickly identified an issue with pace. Sayell qualified 17th from 23 which translated to a grid slot of 23rd from 31 for the heat races.
Heat One saw Sayell drop to 27th on the start, still clearly lacking pace when exiting the corners despite overnight adjustments to the kart set up by the team.
He clawed back four places to finish 23rd by the flag.
Despite more changes, Heat Two saw similar pace issues and Sayell was swamped at the start dropping to 29th and, with a very determined drive, the youngster managed to get up to 21st.
After qualifying and the heats, Sayell was classified in a grid position of 17th from 23 for Sunday’s Superheat.
Despite renewing all the electrical components, chain and gear sprocket and adjusting the carburettor, the warm-up session confirmed there was no noticeable improvement in pace.
Sayell’s luck was no better in the Super Heat when a kart span in front of him on the opening lap causing him to also spin dropping to the back of the grid. With the time lost Sayell had no chance to make up places beyond 19th and as such did not qualify for the main event ending a very trying weekend in bitter disappointment.
Team mechanic and Dad Rob said “We couldn’t understand the lack of pace after such a good run just a week earlier but have subsequently learned that it was possibly the control fuel and that different adjustments were needed to the mixture.
"We go forward now working closely with our engine builder Force Motorsport and James Taylor Racing.“
In a shock announcement after the weekend, Ambition Motorsport advised the team that they were no longer supporting Rotax classes at the British Championship.
After a lot of thought Sayell and family have signed up with TWRacing and will compete in the SuperOne Championship alongside the CKC and the HKRC championships for 2024.
“Jenson said it was one of the most emotionally challenging weekends he has ever had but he remains focused and is positive about his move to TWR and the return to Super One, where he won the Micromax championship last year," said mum Trudy.
TWR team principal Tommy Weyer said: "TWR are extremely pleased that Jenson Sayell has joined our team for the 2024 season. "We have been watching Jenson closely and believe he will be a great asset to the team as being an already talented driver at such a young age.
"We look forward to the year ahead with Jenson and hope to achieve great success together across multiple championships.
Sayell thanks sponsors JLK Vehicle Solutions, Chris Phillips- Superstox 99, Infinity X Motorsport, Ark East Anglia Ltd, Prestige Designs and Professional Aesthetic Enhancements, Lynn, for their belief in him and ongoing support.
Sayell next competes in Round One of the SuperOne Minimax 950 championship.