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Tuesday, 23 October 2007 |
Seasoned go kart champion, Jessica Brannam, and rookie driver David Leahman teamed up to take a dominating win in the Badger Kart Club season ending 2 cycle senior team race. Brannam and Leahman have been teammates throughout the season. Brannam, has competed in Briggs Animal and Yamaha KT100 classes and Leahman in TaG senior. Since they have worked so well together, it just seemed natural for them to team up for this race.
Badger Kart Club's team race has grown into a very popular and competitive event. Drivers from all over come to Badger Raceway to challenge for the win in this prestigious event. 19 teams lined up for the start of this year's race.
As team strategies were being worked out, it was decided that Brannam, the rabbit, would start the race, and Leahman would take the second stint and bring the kart home. As the race got under way, the team's plan was working perfectly. Jessica went straight to the lead and set a blistering pace. “I knew, from the testing we did on Saturday, that I could set a fast pace. I was just hoping that I would be able to get through traffic and build a big enough lead”, Brannam said. She did!
By the time she came in for the driver change, Brannam had built a half of a lap lead. Leahman, while waiting for Brannam to come in for the change said, “This really takes the pressure off of me. Now all I have to do is go out there and keep the kart in one piece until the end of the race. I can just cruise”.
David was all talk. When he got his chance in the kart, he proceeded to turn lap times very close to those his much more experienced teammate turned in. “I am not surprised he is that fast. David has been fast all year. I guess I taught him well, maybe to well”, Brannam said.
Leahman took the checked flag with a lead of over 6 seconds ahead of the second place finisher. This gave Leahman his first career victory and Brannam her 193rd. Because the karts get so mixed up during such a long race, neither driver knew for sure that they had won. Once the finishing order was announced, the celebrating began.
After the race Laehman said, “ It is so exciting to get my first win. I was not 100% sure we were in the lead. I just wanted to drive a smart race and bring the kart home in one piece”. He went on to say, “Getting the opportunity to team up with Brannam Motorsports was the best thing that could have happened to me. Feeding off of their experience and knowledge has accelerated my learning curve beyond my wildest dreams. They have opened up to me and have made me feel like part of the family”.
Brannam put things into perspective, “I am so happy to be a part of David's first win. It felt good to be the teacher after spending so many years as the student”. Brannam teased, “I just hope David does not get a big head over this. I mean, he only has 192 win to go to catch up to me”.
Jessica is still trying very hard to make her way into formula car racing. When this happens, Brannam Motorsports feels they have found a worthy driver in Leahman to take over the reigns as their karting lead driver.
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