An interview with former Motorcycle race engineer turned amateur Kart racer, Charlie Monk.

For the last 10 years, Charlie Monk has worked within Motorcycle race paddocks, winning various championships as an engineer over the years. In 2018 he became British Endurance Champion as part of the KT Motorsport team. The dream had finally come true for the 34 year old who is based in the Medway towns.

Now, in 2019 that has all changed. Charlie has stepped away from the engineering side of things and is now starting his own race career, although this time it involves four wheels instead of two.

Kent Sports News very own Chris Dicketts sat down with Charlie to discuss his career and what the future holds.

Charlie, we have known each other for quite a while now. What was the reason for choosing Motorsport as a career?

CM: My whole family has been interested in racing since I was born. My Mum and Dad would take me to Brands Hatch to watch various motorsport events from Truck racing to cars and bikes.

At a very young age, I got the chance to sit in the Steve Parrish’s race truck and I think that’s what gave me the love for the sport.

Let’s discuss how you got started in bike racing?

CM: It was my best mate and his dad that initially got me involved. We would go and support their friends who ran a team. One thing led to another and in 2000, myself and my friend Luke started to help the team out in the British Supersport Championship.

Outside of racing, Myself, Luke and another friend, Steve, would ride about the streets of Medway on our motorbikes so it was inevitable this was the career I would end up having. From 2000 to 2004 I was involved with various teams and then I stepped away from it all. It was actually Steve who was racing a Kawasaki 400 that got me involved with it all again in 2009 and it’s been a big part of my life since then.

You became a British Champion in 2018, so why the change to four wheels?

CM: Last year was tough. I had a weekday job in Colchester at MSS Performance and I was also doing British Moto 3 with Daniel Brooks Racing and the British Endurance with KT Motorsport.

Everything was about bikes last year and I needed an escape from the pressure and stress of it all. My cousin, Richie is a massive F1 fan and we decided to do a few practice sessions at Buckmore Park for some fun.

After a few practice sessions, we entered a few practice races and I had managed to come away with a few trophies. At the end of 2018 after winning the ACU British Endurance Championship at the last round with KT Motorsport, I thought it would be a good idea to enter a Karting Endurance race.

So myself, Richie and a few friends entered into a 6 Hour Kart race at Buckmore Park. We came away 12^th overall and Clubman class winners. This gave me a good enough reason to start my four wheel career really.

So tell us about 2019 so far and what you have achieved?

CM: I started the year still working in the paddock with Daniel Brooks racing. I had the intention of working all season but I had issues in my personal life around the end of May, I had changed the company I was working for during the week and I had just fell out of love with motorbikes a little. I owe a lot to Daniel and his family.

They really looked after me and having stepped up to Superstock 600 this year, Dan had really shown his potential. Unfortunately I decided to leave the team after the Brands Hatch round earlier in the year and stepped away from the paddock. It allowed me to then concentrate on my karting career which had started back in April with the Buckmore 24 Hour race. I was driving for Buzzing Pals Racing and managed to come away 4^th in the Clubman class, and this gave me the incentive to push myself further.

I had made the decision to enter the Club 73 Karting weekend series at the 3^rd round and came away with a mid-pack finish. We ended the weekend season with 4^th in the Clubman class championship having missed the first two rounds.

On top of this I also walked away 26^th overall in the first ever Kart Race of Champions earlier in the year. We’ve also done some wildcard rounds in the Club 73 weekday series to gain experience and track knowledge for a full assault on both championships next season. 

Well as always, it’s been fun but finally Charlie, What is left for you in 2019?

CM: I’m actually starting my winter testing program now. I could do with all the experience I can get really. We have some rounds left of the Club 73 weekday series and I have also been offered the chance to drive in the final round of the British Dart FQ250 series which takes place at Buckmore Park on the 12^th October.

Dart Motorsport have given me a seat in one of their karts and full support from the team of engineers they have. On top of this I will be doing a few endurance races to build up fitness ready for 2020.

I would just like to say a big thank you to Kent Sports News and Chris Dicketts for their continued support over the years and giving me the chance to do this.

Charlie also would like to thank everyone who has helped him get to this point so far: David Willis, Quattro Team ABM/Anderson Print, Tony Scott, Associated British Motorcycles/T3 Performance, Clinton Bell, Club 73 Karting, Nick Morgan, MSS Performance, Ben Clark, Mab-Fit, Jack Sewell, Kent Commercial and Cleaning Services, Al Morris, Uggly&Co/The Black Dub, Tommi Caldwell, Dart Motorsport, Mum and Dad, Daniel, Matt, Luke and Nichola Brooks, Jessie, Nigel and Mille Pelling, Steve Hogben, Luke Denham, Richie Arthur and all the Buzzing Pals Race Team, Steve Murphy

Photo Credits to, Daniel Brooks Racing, KT Motorsport, Buzz Newman, Simon Burchett and Harry Collins