UOG Karting Club member Sam Gingell (centre, in grey) has delved into the “brilliant” racing session he experienced with the University of Gloucestershire Kart Club at Herefordshire Raceway.
Gingell provided insight on the club’s “most successful outing yet” since relaunching in September 2024. The Travel and Tourism student spoke highly of the circuit conditions, close on-track battles, and camaraderie shared among the 10 drivers who competed.
The Herefordshire Raceway event marked the UOG Karting Club’s third meetup of the academic year and its first return to outdoor action since the revamp. Having previously visited the circuit in snowy conditions back in 2023, April’s Spring sunshine provided a welcome — and very different — test for both new and returning members.
First-year member Gingell was excited to take the racing outdoors, competing against nine racers he had grown close to over the year.
“It’s certainly the best track we’ve done as a society,” he began. “To be honest, it was quite a quick track, and it was brilliant to be outdoors with the team. I’d say it was the most successful outing yet.”
Herefordshire Raceway, a 600-metre outdoor circuit established in 2001, delivered a fresh challenge. The track’s sweeping curves, tight hairpins, and Suzuka-style crossover bridge gave the club a welcome pace change after two indoor events in Gloucester.
The circuit from above:
The newly elected Welfare Officer praised the day’s organisation, highlighting how well the event was run.
“They were very accommodating with us as a group. The guys at the circuit really helped us put on a good event for the society.”
Gingell went on to reflect positively on the three-race format used at Herefordshire. “I was so excited to get started because it had been a while since we’d last done it,” he said. “Starting off, I had a good couple of races in a really fast kart. We had some proper close battles out there as well.
“Across the three races, I finished sixth, with two seventh-place finishes after that. It’d be great to come back next year, as I can definitely see myself improving. It was amazing to get out there again, and it’s always nice to do it with the people here at uni.”
As Welfare Officer, Gingell supports society members and acts as a key figure in the club’s running. He was inspired to take up the role by the sense of community the club gave him.
“It’s almost like the family at university. So, whether you go out on a Wednesday night or just come for the karting itself, you’re meeting up with like-minded people and no matter what you are doing, you always go out and have a good time. We look out for one another,” the 19-year-old concluded.
With another successful race event ticked off, there’s still even more to look forward to off-track before the club winds down for a well-earned summer break.
