Driver Journal James 'Adam' Pell - J. A. Pell & Son Motorsport - #66

Driver Name
James 'Adam' Pell
Driver Number
#66
Team Name
J. A. Pell & Son Motorsport
Facebook
@JAPellAndSonMotorsport
Instagram
@japellandsonmotorsport
Website
https://www.japellandson.co.uk/motorsport/
Primary Sponsor
https://www.japellandson.co.uk
Photography By
Paul Babington & Various Others
Cover Image & Info - Updated 26/08/2021

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Motorsport_Website_Logo_2021.png
Since 1998 J. A Pell & Son have been involved in the world of Motorsport. Itโ€™s a great family orientated sport and hobby, which incorporates our business and itโ€™s core values perfectly. Not to mention a fantastic wind down from the world of general life and work! You can follow the journey of โ€˜J. A. Pell & Son Motorsportโ€™ on and off the track.

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Competitor at Bayford Meadows Kart Racing Club

KartingForum.co.uk
Founders of KartingForum.co.uk
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Original Driver Journal Entry - Posted 19/08/2020
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First test day at Bayford Meadows after 13 years. The old man and my best mate โ˜

In a bid to give everbody a bit of insight about myself, guess I'll get involved! ๐Ÿ˜

The Beginning....
First name James (After the old man), but everybody calls me by my middle name...Adam (Long story). Where did it all start? Growing up around Motorsport as kid I was either Karting, short oval racing with family, glued to the TV watching F1 or Touring Cars. Thinking about it, playing various kinds of racing games too. I remember as a kid having a go in a Kart on holiday, done pretty well and the bug bit. We started Karting around 1998 quite religiously, spending most weekends getting track time in. Starting off in rental Karts at 'Brentwood Karting' and then progressing onto being an owner driver, in a Zip Cadet some time later. Brentwood was great, though the 'old' track is now gone and has been replaced/upgraded. Here's my short and probably boring story ๐Ÿคช

The Test Day?!
I got the opportunity to go for a test session in a Comer Cadet, at the time with a 2 stroke W60 engine. It was at Rye House, dark...raining..never driven the track before or the class of Kart on offer. Things were nearly called off but the old man assured the fella all will be fine. He was thankfully correct and both myself and Kart left the track in one piece. Great fun and I would imagine a big smile from ear to ear, from myself and the old man.

ZIP Kart, Thanks Mr Karting!
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DSC00304.JPG

Circa 1998 I would think - 7/8 years old - What's HD?โ˜
'Mum & Dad' financed the first Kart and got me into the seat. We bought the ZIP Kart from the late and great Martin Hines, Mr Karting! I remember the day very well still. Such a great fella and really made us feel at home around the shop, nothing was too much bother. A few hand shakes later and a "Enjoy the Kart kid" from Martin, we picked up our first proper taste of Karting. The memories started being created and the legacy began! We was regulars at local tracks such at Rye House and Bayford Meadows. Ended up completing my ARKS test and getting a club license.

The Search For Power!
IMG_0057.JPG

Circa 2001/2002 - 10 / 11 years old โ˜
I remember Cadets was great, but I was always heavy. The search for more power a new buzz began! We skipped Mini Max and progressed into Junior Rotax. I remember it was a time where TKM was very much in the forefront of Karting classes and the 'new' Rotax classes were very much up and coming. Being quite young and going out in a Junior Rotax was quite an eye opener, the power felt very much alive and kicking. Again, a great opportunity came up and I test drove a Junior Rotax on an Eglem chassis from the late 'Trackside Karting' at Bayford Meadows. Same again, very apprehensive attitude from all parties involved due to my age. All went well and we ended up getting a new Eglem Chassis and Junior engine. Still no racing? Nope still not entered any races yet. I was always ahead of my classed due to size/weight. Cost was a major issue. And in all honesty I used to love going open practice the day before a race meeting and having such a masterclass in driving from other kids on track. We held our own, good times!

Still Got A Bit Of It :sneaky:
DSC00037.JPG

I still have a caliper from the Eglem Chassis with a picture in it. A great photo frame if you every find the need for one....

Senior Time...
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Circa 2003/2004 - 12 / 13 years old โ˜
Again we jumped a class early, really early! This time I was getting a few coaching sessions from a fella (I can't remember the name, so sorry) and we opted to go for one of their ex race engines and a new 'Go Kart' chassis. They had a workshop in Leyton, East London which was right on our doorstep. It was a nice Kart, but I did prefer the Eglem. Anyways, another learning curve with the Rotax Senior. Still not racing due to being too young for the class and financial restrictions. But still holding our own and having a blast! Turning a few heads and up turning some eyebrows for all the right reasons on occasion.

Sold Up!
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Circa 2006 / 2007 - 15 / 16 years old โ˜
Sold. As I got older I found myself getting a part time job, going out with 'mates' and in general not having time for Karting. We had a good run and it was time to move on. Karting kept me on the straight and narrow as kid. Some of my best memories was from the days of Karting.

Fast Forward >> 2019
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2019 - Old :( โ˜
At 17 life moves on and I really got into my cars, owning various things over the years. Fast forward a few years and I bought my dream car around 2012, a Ford Focus ST225. I loved it, it was my pride and joy. After 7 years of owning it and making some great friends and going to many many shows and meets. The time had come, back to Karting we go. I can confirm 300bhp and Karting are very different, but once you get the Karting bug you will NOT loose it. It's their for life. Car got sold. Tears all round.

Snapped!
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2019 - Bayford โ˜
What made me go back to Karting? The smell, the buzz, the memories....my little ones. Oh and Paul Babington's snap above . We went to a few meetings at Bayford to watch...it all come flooding back. Long story short; I got home and Paul snapped my little one looking over at another little one in a Bambino. I wanted to make the some memories I had as a kid, with my kids. Car sold. Workshop built with the old man. Kart bought. Soon we swap the scooter for a Bambino too kid!

KartingForum.co.uk
publicLogoUrl.png

2019 - The internet โ˜
Upon trying to get back into Karting I noticed there was a void for something new, fresh and unique. KartingForum.co.uk was born! You get what that's all about, you're here right?!

The Return!
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2020 - Super secret headquaters โ˜
Started off again where we left off! With the car gone it allowed me to go ahead and own a fantastic example of a Tony Kart with a Senior Rotax from NextKarting (Great firm, highly recommended). J. A. Pell & Son Motorsport was born! Since we have been out on the track for a few sessions and getting back into the swing of things. If I can get into some club racing next year at Bayford and Lydd, I'd be over the moon! For now we (I lol) concentrate on dropping some timber and getting some consistant times. Race craft is still back there somewhere, but I have so much to forget in terms of bad habits. It seems to hurt more now at 29 than it did as a kid too? ๐Ÿค”

Where From Here...The Legacy
IMG-20200801-WA0033.jpg

2020 - Happy place, Bayford โ˜
Well as far as I'm concerned KartingForum.co.uk is here to stay and help people and the industry where possible. Maybe in 5 years I'm going to look back and say 'Good effort, but no trophy'. But as I have proven, you can make some wicked memories without winning a trophy, it just depends on who you wish to share that journey with. I'm here to help anybody where I can, so please contact me/the forum if that's possible. We'll see how things go and I thank you all for getting onboard with this little project.

Karting wise, I intend to get in shape and become some what competitive again. Club races next year? I hope so. I also want to get my little ones into Karting if they wish to, we'll see when the time comes.

Well, that's my journey spanning the last 20 years and with loads more to come! Big thanks to all that was a good influence and assistance over the years, great times! I'll keep this thread updated with all the latest happenings and goals. I'm sure I will update this post at some point, bound to be a typo or something I have missed.

Welcome to my Driver Journal......

โ˜โค
 

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Yes mate! Forgot to update here tbh.

Ended up being a few KG lighter which was great, need me more of that lol. Chasing late 48's now and slowing getting some race craft back.

Also manged to get out on the 23rd for another great days testing. Consistant low 49's all day, just can't crack a 48 yet.

I have completed the license pack and sent it off to Motorsport UK so hope to have that approved.

Whe you out next @97Lewis ? Next meeting is in a few weeks?

Glad you're getting the practice in and getting the times now...I'm still on 49.06, gutted I was so close the the 48s.
Getting down the gym to drop some weight, think that's all that's holding me back now.

Bet you can't wait to get the license back. Any plans on when you're gonna start racing?

I'm next out for the may meeting, can't wait!!
 
Glad you're getting the practice in and getting the times now...I'm still on 49.06, gutted I was so close the the 48s.
Getting down the gym to drop some weight, think that's all that's holding me back now.

Bet you can't wait to get the license back. Any plans on when you're gonna start racing?

I'm next out for the may meeting, can't wait!!
Ahh maate we are so close! I was 49.20's and 49.30's and managed a 49.16!

I reckon it's weight for me too for sure. I'm down to 110kg now, hoping to get to 100kg. You? Though we do have a standard engine, been told a fiched engine will be a big difference?

License has been approved so waiting for it to turn up in the post! I hope to be out in the either the June or July meeting tbh. But we shall see. Really want mid 48's tbh.
 
Ahh maate we are so close! I was 49.20's and 49.30's and managed a 49.16!

I reckon it's weight for me too for sure. I'm down to 110kg now, hoping to get to 100kg. You? Though we do have a standard engine, been told a fiched engine will be a big difference?

License has been approved so waiting for it to turn up in the post! I hope to be out in the either the June or July meeting tbh. But we shall see. Really want mid 48's tbh.

I know!! At least we both know we can have a descent race with each other if we're that close.

I've got down to 103kg so far, would like to get down to 93-95...Any more than that makes me look like I'm on my way out ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ.

I'll probably race the rest of the season with the engine as it is then spend a fair lump on rebuilds etc over the new year.

Glad you've got your licence sorted, June will probably be the only meeting I miss (Father's Day), although if spectators are allowed by then I might be in luck!!
 
J Adam Pell - J. A. Pell & Son Motorsport - #66
View attachment 747
First test day at Bayford Meadows after 13 years. The old man and my best mate โ˜
In a bid to give everbody a bit of insight about myself, guess I'll get involved! ๐Ÿ˜

The Beginning....
First name James (After the old man), but everybody calls me by my middle name...Adam (Long story). Where did it all start? Growing up around Motorsport as kid I was either Karting, short oval racing with family, glued to the TV watching F1 or Touring Cars. Thinking about it, playing various kinds of racing games too. I remember as a kid having a go in a Kart on holiday, done pretty well and the bug bit. We started Karting around 1998 quite religiously, spending most weekends getting track time in. Starting off in rental Karts at 'Brentwood Karting' and then progressing onto being an owner driver, in a Zip Cadet some time later. Brentwood was great, though the 'old' track is now gone and has been replaced/upgraded. Here's my short and probably boring story ๐Ÿคช

The Test Day?!
I got the opportunity to go for a test session in a Comer Cadet, at the time with a 2 stroke W60 engine. It was at Rye House, dark...raining..never driven the track before or the class of Kart on offer. Things were nearly called off but the old man assured the fella all will be fine. He was thankfully correct and both myself and Kart left the track in one piece. Great fun and I would imagine a big smile from ear to ear, from myself and the old man.

ZIP Kart, Thanks Mr Karting!
View attachment 748 View attachment 750
Circa 1998 I would think - 7/8 years old - What's HD?โ˜
'Mum & Dad' financed the first Kart and got me into the seat. We bought the ZIP Kart from the late and great Martin Hines, Mr Karting! I remember the day very well still. Such a great fella and really made us feel at home around the shop, nothing was too much bother. A few hand shakes later and a "Enjoy the Kart kid" from Martin, we picked up our first proper taste of Karting. The memories started being created and the legacy began! We was regulars at local tracks such at Rye House and Bayford Meadows. Ended up completing my ARKS test and getting a club license.

The Search For Power!
View attachment 751
Circa 2001/2002 - 10 / 11 years old โ˜
I remember Cadets was great, but I was always heavy. The search for more power a new buzz began! We skipped Mini Max and progressed into Junior Rotax. I remember it was a time where TKM was very much in the forefront of Karting classes and the 'new' Rotax classes were very much up and coming. Being quite young and going out in a Junior Rotax was quite an eye opener, the power felt very much alive and kicking. Again, a great opportunity came up and I test drove a Junior Rotax on an Eglem chassis from the late 'Trackside Karting' at Bayford Meadows. Same again, very apprehensive attitude from all parties involved due to my age. All went well and we ended up getting a new Eglem Chassis and Junior engine. Still no racing? Nope still not entered any races yet. I was always ahead of my classed due to size/weight. Cost was a major issue. And in all honesty I used to love going open practice the day before a race meeting and having such a masterclass in driving from other kids on track. We held our own, good times!

Still Got A Bit Of It :sneaky:
View attachment 752

I still have a caliper from the Eglem Chassis with a picture in it. A great photo frame if you every find the need for one....

Senior Time...
View attachment 753View attachment 754
Circa 2003/2004 - 12 / 13 years old โ˜
Again we jumped a class early, really early! This time I was getting a few coaching sessions from a fella (I can't remember the name, so sorry) and we opted to go for one of their ex race engines and a new 'Go Kart' chassis. They had a workshop in Leyton, East London which was right on our doorstep. It was a nice Kart, but I did prefer the Eglem. Anyways, another learning curve with the Rotax Senior. Still not racing due to being too young for the class and financial restrictions. But still holding our own and having a blast! Turning a few heads and up turning some eyebrows for all the right reasons on occasion.

Sold Up!
View attachment 755
Circa 2006 / 2007 - 15 / 16 years old โ˜
Sold. As I got older I found myself getting a part time job, going out with 'mates' and in general not having time for Karting. We had a good run and it was time to move on. Karting kept me on the straight and narrow as kid. Some of my best memories was from the days of Karting.

Fast Forward >> 2019
View attachment 756View attachment 757
2019 - Old :( โ˜
At 17 life moves on and I really got into my cars, owning various things over the years. Fast forward a few years and I bought my dream car around 2012, a Ford Focus ST225. I loved it, it was my pride and joy. After 7 years of owning it and making some great friends and going to many many shows and meets. The time had come, back to Karting we go. I can confirm 300bhp and Karting are very different, but once you get the Karting bug you will NOT loose it. It's their for life. Car got sold. Tears all round.

Snapped!
View attachment 758
2019 - Bayford โ˜
What made me go back to Karting? The smell, the buzz, the memories....my little ones. Oh and Paul Babington's snap above . We went to a few meetings at Bayford to watch...it all come flooding back. Long story short; I got home and Paul snapped my little one looking over at another little one in a Bambino. I wanted to make the some memories I had as a kid, with my kids. Car sold. Workshop built with the old man. Kart bought. Soon we swap the scooter for a Bambino too kid!

KartingForum.co.uk
publicLogoUrl.png

2019 - The internet โ˜
Upon trying to get back into Karting I noticed there was a void for something new, fresh and unique. KartingForum.co.uk was born! You get what that's all about, you're here right?!

The Return!
View attachment 759
2020 - Super secret headquaters โ˜
Started off again where we left off! With the car gone it allowed me to go ahead and own a fantastic example of a Tony Kart with a Senior Rotax from NextKarting (Great firm, highly recommended). J. A. Pell & Son Motorsport was born! Since we have been out on the track for a few sessions and getting back into the swing of things. If I can get into some club racing next year at Bayford and Lydd, I'd be over the moon! For now we (I lol) concentrate on dropping some timber and getting some consistant times. Race craft is still back there somewhere, but I have so much to forget in terms of bad habits. It seems to hurt more now at 29 than it did as a kid too? ๐Ÿค”

Where From Here...The Legacy
View attachment 760
2020 - Happy place, Bayford โ˜
Well as far as I'm concerned KartingForum.co.uk is here to stay and help people and the industry where possible. Maybe in 5 years I'm going to look back and say 'Good effort, but no trophy'. But as I have proven, you can make some wicked memories without winning a trophy, it just depends on who you wish to share that journey with. I'm here to help anybody where I can, so please contact me/the forum if that's possible. We'll see how things go and I thank you all for getting onboard with this little project.

Karting wise, I intend to get in shape and become some what competitive again. Club races next year? I hope so. I also want to get my little ones into Karting if they wish to, we'll see when the time comes.

Well, that's my journey spanning the last 20 years and with loads more to come! Big thanks to all that was a good influence and assistance over the years, great times! I'll keep this thread updated with all the latest happenings and goals. I'm sure I will update this post at some point, bound to be a typo or something I have missed.

โ˜โค
Wow, that's a real journey. Glad you're back :)
 
I know!! At least we both know we can have a descent race with each other if we're that close.

I've got down to 103kg so far, would like to get down to 93-95...Any more than that makes me look like I'm on my way out ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ.

I'll probably race the rest of the season with the engine as it is then spend a fair lump on rebuilds etc over the new year.

Glad you've got your licence sorted, June will probably be the only meeting I miss (Father's Day), although if spectators are allowed by then I might be in luck!!
We defo need a little meet up for a test day too mate! I'm sure it would benefit us both pushing each other around. I think I was 100kg at 16...so 100kg at 30 I'd be happy lol.

Yeah same with me engie wise. I'm on 6 hours atm, so see how it goes. Might get it rebuilt top end at 10.

When you planning Bayford next?

Wow, that's a real journey. Glad you're back :)

Thanks Tom! Welcome to the forum!
 
Yeah will definitely have to meet up mate, I'm next out for the may meeting but hopefully get a day in before...Depending on work.
 
Yeah will definitely have to meet up mate, I'm next out for the may meeting but hopefully get a day in before...Depending on work.
Oh great stuff. Let me know mate and we'll see if we can arrange a little test sesh!

inappropriate lizard GIF
 
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20210504_221248.jpg


Yay! Happy about that! (y) :giggle:
 
The first meeting at Bayford Meadows!
BAB_8296.jpg

A nice bit of tripod action from turn 1.

What a day...what a week! We was testing a week prior to a our first meeting at Bayford, which went well. Ironed out a few issues and got some seat time, as well as getting some minor things set up like our transponder with the help of Ian. All happy and we was hopefull for a good day the following Sunday for the meeting.

Big thanks to Paul Babington Photography for all these great snaps! You can also read a little write up in Kent Sports News here. Thanks to my best mate Joe and Dad for all the help on the tools. Thanks to everybody at Bayford for what they do as always.

Race day!
BAB_7413.jpg

@Billywatts on the hunt!

The weather was meant to be quite nice! We got setup for the day and was settled in watching some quali sessions trying to gauge what tyre to run. It started off with some drizzle so we threw on some well scubbed in wets. Then the rain came down which then prompted us to go for a fresh set of wets and I threw on a wet suit. We took the gamble in Heat 1 for slicks and the rest of the day things were a bit hit and miss with the rain, but we managed to stay on slicks. Quali went very well and to be fair for the 2nd time out in the wet for 13 odd years, I was over the moon with the result! P2...

Heats 1 and 2 were great fun! A good few battles with the rest of the lads prompted some smiles all round. A great bit of racing. Billy had some bad luck through the day which ultimately was some good luck in our favour. We finished P4 in the final, after a stunning recovery by Billy who caught us up after an incident and over took us. Billy managed to pick a drop nose penalty which gave us P3. A good days racing and an honor to be out on track with you all!

IMG-20210620-WA0039.jpg

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Results....
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Quali P2 - Pre Final 1 P3 - Pre Final 2 P3 - Grand Final P3! And a new PB!

20210621_172815.jpg


Roll on the next meeting!
 
Last edited:
The first meeting at Bayford Meadows!
View attachment 1388
A nice bit of tripod action from turn 1.

What a day...what a week! We was testing a week prior to a our first meeting at Bayford, which went well. Ironed out a few issues and got some seat time, as well as getting some minor things set up like our transponder with the help of Ian. All happy and we was hopefull for a good day the following Sunday for the meeting.

Big thanks to Paul Babington Photography for all these great snaps! You can also read a little write up in Kent Sports News here. Thanks to my best mate Joe and Dad for all the help on the tools. Thanks to everybody at Bayford for what they do as always.

Race day!
View attachment 1389
@Billywatts on the hunt!

The weather was meant to be quite nice! We got setup for the day and was settled in watching some quali sessions trying to gauge what tyre to run. It started off with some drizzle so we threw on some well scubbed in wets. Then the rain came down which then prompted us to go for a fresh set of wets and I threw on a wet suit. We took the gamble in Heat 1 for slicks and the rest of the day things were a bit hit and miss with the rain, but we managed to stay on slicks. Quali went very well and to be fair for the 2nd time out in the wet for 13 odd years, I was over the moon with the result! P2...

Heats 1 and 2 were great fun! A good few battles with the rest of the lads prompted some smiles all round. A great bit of racing. Billy had some bad luck through the day which ultimately was some good luck in our favour. We finished P4 in the final, after a stunning recovery by Billy who caught us up after an incident and over took us. Billy managed to pick a drop nose penalty which gave us P3. A good days racing and an honor to be out on track with you all!


Results....
View attachment 1390View attachment 1392

Quali P2 - Heat 1 P3 - Heat 2 P3 - Final P3! And a new PB!

View attachment 1394

Roll on the next meeting!
Despite the hick ups what a day for wheel to wheel racing. Well done @Adam again, faultless driving all day. Now onto the same next month hopefully ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿผ๐Ÿ
 
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