2013-12-09 09:17:19.2
As expected, Eddie's rib injury affected his day at Clay Pigeon and, again, contributed to Eddie not making the A final.
Eddie started 11th on the grid for his first heat and after a brilliant start found himself 6th into turn 1. This had become 4th by the end of lap 1 and 2nd by the end of lap 2. Eddie held this position for a couple of laps and was holding up a small train of karts. When the driver behind started pushing Eddie and knocking him in corners, Eddie let him past so as not to be taken out again. This allowed another rival to get past. The following lap Eddie lost two more places to finish seventh.
Eddie started second in his second heat and took the lead at the bottom of the hill. He held the lead until two laps from the end before losing it to a flying Martin Bond. It was at this point that his rib injury started to become more obvious as he struggled to get out of the kart.
His third heat was where it all started to go wrong. Starting back down in 15th, Eddie made up some places at the start but did not have the speed to move into the top ten as he was avoiding the kerbs. The highlight of this heat was another close battle with Simon Mace. Eddie ended up 13th.
Eddie's poor third heat hampered his chance of making the A final. He nevertheless started 5th on the grid in the B final. He lost a position at the start but never really seemed on the pace. He continued to drop back - in serious pain - to eventually finish a poor 21st.
Eddie finally relented and went to consult the medical team after the race. He has been advised to get X-Rays taken and buy a rib protector before the next race.
