"Ode to Ireland"  by Peter Hammond

Pallas Karting – Tynagh (County Galway) June 2008

‘Twas late in the evening and a very dark night
When two UK drivers arrived at the site.
County Galway, Ireland, Tynagh by name,
To kick Irish ass was the aim of our game

Friday was a purely gorgeous day.
Very warm, sunshine, time to make hay.
Dry set up testing on a 1500m track.
Learning the lines was a privilege but a knack.

Bar-b-ques lit and drinks handed round.
Exchange of stories was the natural sound.
The Irish being friendly and full of good cheer,
Ensured an evening of happiness, friendship and beer.

Saturday dawned, a very very wet morning,
And no place to be if you were an awning.
The wind and the rain had taken overnight tolls
On hundreds of Euros of sheeting and poles.

The site was awash, damage clear to the eye.
Not a hint of blue in an overcast sky
Set up for wet, dress for the kill.
This was indeed Ireland not central Brasil

Undeterred and up for the chase,
We completed day one and two heats of the race.
All done on wets and Maxxis to boot
WF4’s sold on site, lots of loot.

One heat, pre-final and final to go,
Sunday came, wet again but no snow.
Typically Ireland, beautiful when wet,
Too late for pommey whingeing, whining or regret.

Ben got broadsided as he turned into the pit.
New rear wheel, no fault, wallet hit.
That’s motorsport so everyone says,
Following bad will be much better days.

So to the final and a frantic tyre change.
Slicks on now, tyre pressures within range.
Positions on grid, determined drivers
Bets taken in Stirling, Euros all fivers.

An excellent race, positions constantly vying.
Brian hit tyre wall, everyone trying.
Mum Cheryl ran clean out of immodium
Don’t know quite why, son finished on podium.

Brian was ok, so everyone reckoned.
Well done to Tom (UK), he came in second.
Irishman Ivan he won the race,
And James (UK) finished in third place

Our thanks to Saxon, to Alan, Rene and John,
And to Becky for the invite, organisation and fun.
We had a great time, lots of race banter and talk,
And even an invite to join them in Cork

One thing still puzzles me and has for some time,
And its not that I muse or struggle for rhyme.
Its how can the Irish field two drivers (see photo)
With a surname as English as Yamamoto.

We’ve now got webbed feet but we’ve got back home.
Where next will Kart Racing entice Bilands to roam ?
For the experience we’re richer and thanks to Pallas
The racing, the friendship and your welcome…. First class.

Peter Hammond, June 2008