Staff Writer Isabella Taylor explores an exciting Varsity debut for KCL Motorsport.
King’s College London’s Motorsport Club has experienced a tumultuous season thus far, marked primarily by success in community engagement. Motorsport only became an officially ratified society under the KCLSU this academic year.
This formal recognition (as well as hard work from the committee) initiated the solidifying of KCL Motorsport’s presence within the university’s sporting landscape. The number of memberships almost doubled from the year prior, and engagement within the club thrives.
As for its tribulations, the club’s brief participation in the British University Karting Championship (BUKC) saw an impressive turnout and a remarkable number of drivers pass their tests. However, despite the promising start, KCL’s teams ultimately failed to qualify, having competed in the most competitive qualifiers session.
In response, energy and focus were redirected to an in-house championship held at TeamSport and Daytona Sandown Park – circuits described by the club’s president, Srijan Nagar, that hone and refine abilities to “maximise performance on low-powered karts”.
Varsity has generated considerable excitement in the King’s community, and this year marks the first time KCL Motorsport is eligible to compete. Nevertheless, the club’s President is prioritising the London Inter-GP, a GP30 race against UCL, Imperial, QMUL, LSE, and City, where he trusts KCL has the strongest competitive advantage. Since November, the club’s driver line-up has welcomed some incredible additions with backgrounds in rally, GT3, and even KZ Karting.
With KCLSU’s limited funding, the club’s racing success depends on the student community’s passion and commitment to karting. As a result, certain series and championships are prioritised above others – Varsity is being treated as an inclusive, spirited rivalry rather than one of the ‘main events’ of the season.
The upcoming Varsity race on March 25th will inconveniently be held during the KCL-UCL football match expected to have a massive student audience. UCL may also hold a home-track advantage at Rye House.
Yet, President Srijan remains optimistic, and is confident that the “technical prowess” cultivated by a variety of London’s compact circuits within the team will translate into an exhilarating performance, great results, and a “cool Instagram post”.
Fans are encouraged to attend and witness university motorsport first hand!
