Lightning

In the recent BIKC (British Indoor Karting Championship) finals, the most media coverage went not to the marshal who fell over the barrier, nor to the driver who controversially came first in the heavyweights. It went to the driver with the chicken helmet. There was a pig helmet that tried to get in on the act too, but let’s face it, a pig’s no match for a chicken.

Obviously, spectators are watching the racing, but when there are sixteen white Arai helmets on the track it’s tricky to figure out who’s who, and a distinctive suit or a distinctive helmet gives the spectators something to latch on to.

And, when the journalists are looking for someone to interview, they’ll gravitate towards those who stand out.

So, Kate’s getting her helmet painted. Not with a chicken or a pig, but with lightning. Oh, and the lightning is on a base of black, pink and white. And of course it has “Kate” on the back (because “Broadbent” will be on her suit) and “Kate Broadbent” on the sides.

And there’s the visor strip. More black, with “Kate” and more lightning.

To add a bit of provenance, we’re getting the helmet painted by Lawrence Manning (Instagram handle kaos_artist). Lawrence is responsible for the colour schemes on the McLaren F1 cars, and is known for dreaming up the famous Vodaphone chrome colour scheme.

He was in Las Vegas last week, and of course he’ll be in Abu Dhabi next week, and he’ll be fitting in Kate’s helmet around his really exciting global work schedule.

I’m looking forward to being able to pick Kate out on the track now. Although, if she drives as fast as her helmet, like lightning, that might not be possible!