Key to Karting Success – Robert’s Story

Sergeant Robert Small has enjoyed racing karts from a young age so having the opportunity to continue a sport he loves was an incredibly appealing benefit of joining the RAF. Robert talks to us about his experience with Station sport and how funding from the RAF Central Fund is vital to the continued success of clubs like his.

“I started my career in the RAF as an Aircraft Technician in 2010. After training at RAF Cosford, I was posted to RAF Brize Norton on 99 Squadron to work on the C-17s, and later to 31 Squadron at RAF Marham to work on the Tornado GR4 for four years. Over my thirteen-year career, I have completed four tours in Cyprus and a tour in Holland, before returning home in 2019 to re-trade as a Weapons Systems Operator Air Loadmaster.

Karting has been a sport that I have loved since I was a child. One of the things that appealed to me about joining the RAF was the opportunity to play sport. I knew that karting was offered and when stationed at RAF Cosford, I was introduced to their kart club and quickly joined their race team. It wasn’t long before I began racing in the Armed Forces Championship with competitions taking place around the United Kingdom. These are races of team endurance with twin engine prokarts, driver changes and fuel stops throughout.

Each time I moved Station I joined the kart club and when I found myself at RAF Brize Norton for a second time, I joined their team and went on to win the 2022 championship. A highlight of being part of Station clubs are the many friends that I have made. Station clubs are a great opportunity to meet new people and work as part of a team doing something you love. With the help of my teammates, I’ve won four Endurance Championships with RAF Marham and RAF Brize Norton, raced in the Two-Stroke Premier Championship, and won the Novice Championship.

As a proactive Station kart club, we also attend various events such as the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), Cosford Air Show, motorsports shows and Station events to showcase the team and the karts we race. These events are important to display what we do and highlight the multiple roles available within a kart club, from drivers to maintenance of the karts.

The RAF Central Fund continue to provide essential support to Station clubs so that they can get off the ground and maintain their kit and equipment. The Fund has been a key supporter of the Brize Norton Kart Club over the years, providing funding for karts, engines, and tools. Without this funding our club, like many others across the Air Force, would not be as successful as it is, and the team would struggle to compete in championships.

Without this funding our club, like many others across the Air Force, would not be as successful as it is, and the team would struggle to compete in championships.

On a personal level, the Fund has also helped me throughout my career with funding for a lot of the safety equipment I need for karting, such as helmets, boots, gloves, and race suits. If this funding wasn’t available, I would have struggled to source the most suitable kit of adequate quality. By playing the RAF Sports Lottery, serving personnel are eligible for increased funding based on their ticket holding and although I have never been a lucky winner, the charitable funding available makes it a win-win situation!

I would recommend anyone to get in to karting as it’s an exciting sport which allows you to travel around the country racing at different tracks. Station sport is great for developing teamwork skills, making new friendships, and meeting others from different Stations and military services.”

Sgt Robert Small