I have always watch this video in awe with respect.
It always show why motorsports are dangerous and
what situation the men and women had to put themselves
in to achieve greatness.

i will say no more, enjoy the video!

Retrospective - Strategies

I had wrote this elsewhere. It is all my team mates
can read it before the race.
This was my strategies for the team.
And what we hope for.... LUCK!



-----
21 June, 10am, 390cc 2 hours Enduro Race @ Permas.

we will be having 4 drivers, KP, Des, Leo, and myself. the aim is simple. get more laps around the track than any other teams. if we are on par with the teams on number of laps, get in front of them! easy rite? haha not so.
our competitors are not so 'easy meat'. and since there are 4 of us, we will have to decide who will be the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th driver. also we will need to think when do we switch over, having the information of each full tank of petrol can last ~ 45mins.

having considering some or all factors, this is wat i have come up with: starting with the easiest.

Plan 1 :
all driver change over will take place at every 30min interval.
that pit stop will also include petrol top up.the only qnn is who to go 1st.

i will go for Leo. he can push almost any kart fast enough to give us a lead or a respectable position in the 1st leg. regardless of strategy, i will have him to go 1st and hope the kart we draw and his skill can be use to our advantage. i will not go on to say who's our next few drivers, as it will not be really important now. will have to play by ears.
==============================================
Plan 2: Longer stints, out of sync pit stops

1st driver will drive for 35mins. then change over with petrol top up.

2nd driver will go for 25 mins. change over will take place at 60min mark. no petrol top up!

3rd driver will drive for ~18mins or less. this is very impt and risky. we should be faster due to lower fuel load, and hope to gain some advantages. however, we do not know for sure if the engine will be using more fuel. pushing it very near the 45min mark is a risk.

4th driver will hope on at the 78-80mins mark. top up petrol and drive 42 mins! that should do it!
==============================================
Plan 3: Long mid stint.

1st driver will drive for 25mins.

2nd driver will hop on, with petrol top up. he will hit the track for about 40mins.

3rd driver will be on at approximately 65mins mark. likewise, he will drive for 40 mins with petrol top up durin pit stop.

last driver will be driving for 15 mins only with the change over at 105mins mark. the petrol top for the last change will be short with only less than half tank needed.
the idea of the longer mid stint, should the drivers can take it, have significant advantage. as other teams will stop during these times while we continue to pound the track.
==============================================

while these may 'look' like 'good' plans, it will only work better if we have an above average kart. our team of drivers will no doubt deliver no matter of the plan choose to use. but if the kart sucks, that's it! so, we pray for Good Luck!

Data for Driving fAster

I had received this email from Terence. Apparently, he's a karting
coach based in UK.
Recently, he has been talking and writing about how to use
Data Acquisition Tools can really help in getting us faster
around the track.

I had also installed MyChron4 on my own kart.

And to be honest, I had not been using it to improve my driving
at the moment. There's much to read on it, and very little sense
I can make of it.
Once to the new track, I promise myself to make full use of
the MyChron4.

Meanwhile , if you are thinking of getting one of such 'toys' do
read what he has to offer... it's a Discount!

PS. I am not getting anything from it.
cheers



------------
Dear Jonathan, I can't believe the test day I've just had.
I'll be writing a detailed article on it all soon, but I can't
wait till then to tell you, this is too important.

Basically, what I've found out is not only is data acquisition
a handy tool for going fast. It is 100% essential that you have
data, and it's more important than anything else you budget for!!

How can I say that, well I just did a day at Whilton Mill where
we used the data from the previous test I wrote you about last
week. We used the same tired old slicks, were still 7kg over-weight
and the chassis snapped behind the bearing carrier.

We didn't touch the set up at all and only worked on driving to
what the data told us. We went a second a lap faster than before,
and if we had raced the day before we would have walked it!! I've
just been on the phone to the importer for AiM Mychron asking
how we can help you to get the gear you need to do the same as us.

So, he agreed on giving a 10% discount for anyone who enters the
discount code
evenflow
on his site when purchasing

So, the discount code is: evenflow

The karting section of the site is http://shop.aim-tec.co.uk/kart-9-c.asp
The discount code applies to everything there from a simple
Mychron4 to a full monty acquisition set up. The easiest way
to get started with proper data acquisition is to go for GPS system.
If you already have a Mychron4 just buy the GPS module, or you
can buy them together in the 'ready to go data kits' section

You just enter the discount once you go to the checkout page and
hit 'go' next to where you entered the discount... Or you can phone
them on 0844 800 2183 and mention EvenFlow for your discount

I'm so keen you get the data gear you need you can even give me a
call if you want to know the best package to buy on 01536 799 008.
I've never been so certain about any other kart related products.
Look, I'd even recommend you buy this Aim Data Acquisition before
you ask me for coaching There I said it, data acquisition is more
important than my driver coaching!! Here's the discount code again
evenflow
The AiM Technologies site is http://shop.aim-tec.co.uk/kart-9-c.asp

Ok, I think I did my best to convince you and I really hope you go for it.

Best regards
Terence
www.evenflow.co.uk
www.karting1.co.uk
www.kartintelligence.com
Terence Dove
www.evenflow.co.uk

Started POLE ! Came Home 4th...

Luck. How many times have you heard from a racer that his/her
luck ran out during the race?
And how many times you said 'Aiya, cannot win dun blame Luck lah'
I dunno about you, but I had said countless times myself too.

It came back to hunt me on 21 June for our 390cc 2 hour Endurance
race at Premas Jaya. Now, it's my turn to bemoan Bad Luck! SUAY !

Before the main story, let me introduce my team for the race.
Kok Peng, who along with another friend, Desmond, are quite
experienced in fun kart. We had all started to kart in 390cc together.
Only recently, the both of them had gotten a personal kart. A good
kart with a nicely set up chassis and a powerful Rotax Max 07 engine.

Then, at almost the last moment, we have Leo to join us.

A decision that bear fruits almost instantly. With the draw of kart,
we had the luck of getting one with a new engine. It looks good.
Not only the engine looks great, Leo had managed to walk away
with pole position with a time of 1.16.28. It is more than a second
quicker than P2 !

Off to a great start!

Obviously, with the performance of Leo in qualifying it will only
be wise for him to kart the 1st leg. We are going to have him build
us a lead before the rest of us hop on.

The start was a bit tricky, with a bit of defending to do into turn 1.
Leo managed well. His experience and skill in karting racing for
almost 2 years had been prominent and displayed. He stayed ahead
of the field.
Half a lap into the race, we already see that he is pulling away (4 seconds)
The rest of us were already thinking to bring home the CHAMPION
trophy! YES!

10 mins in the race. If I'm not wrong, he is almost half a lap ahead
of the second place. WOW. What a performance. What a Kart.
What Good Fortunate!

15 mins mark, Leo had already drive all the way to the tail of the
backmarker. How I wish the race will stop there and then.
Game Over. We Win!

Moments later, it is indeed Game Over, for us! Leo pitted in out
of the blue.
The brake is up in smoke! At first thought, we assumed it is a
jammed brake.
But Leo shouted from his helmet "THROTTLE JAM!"

GEES!

Jason, the in house mechanics, started to repair and replace
the cable. It will take some time to do so, and had told us not
to wait.

KP had to hop into a new kart. We monitored his lap times,
and it was in the range of 1.22mins. Not too good. The kart
could be crap.

While in the mean time, Jason managed to repair the throttle
cable. Discussion was under way whether to call KP back in
and hop back into Kart 41. It was almost a no brainier. With
more 1 hour 30 mins to go we would be able to crawl back the
time we lost in the pits. Or so we thought!

KP pitted back in, hopped back on the 'faster' kart and off he went...
We hope for the best and we are quite very sure we wil get
back up the position. At this moment, I believed we are either
5 or 6, and 2.5 laps down from the leader!

Monitoring closely the lap times that followed, we saw KP
times were not improving. We were perplexed. In fact, he has
to defend his position aggressively and still loses it in the end.

More discussions followed between the 3 of us as Leo suggested
to put him back on the kart. My thoughts then was to have KP
for a little bit more time, perhaps he need to get used to it. Then
we were alerted that he had been overtaken again!

No choice. Leo had already made up his mind. He WANTS to
get it back on! Who can stop him?!
KP in, Leo on. Game On.

The next 20+ mins Leo did managed to put in some good laps
and we are back in the top 5. That is, coupling with some other
teams having problems with engine and/or brake.

Next up was Desmond. He will drive for about 25 mins, before
I took over the last leg. During his stint, we had move up one
position to 4th. This is mainly because the team in front of us
had a serious brake fade. They tried to pit 3 times before it can
stopped and change driver.

With about 20mins to go, it was my turn. Hopping on, I was
determined to go as fast as possible. Hoping to go one better!
I was wishfully thinking.
The tires by then were shot, and there's no power from the engine.
I also spun at Turn 4 going uphill on my every 1st lap.
After that I was been overtaken twice. I thought that's it. It all
my fault. I reckoned we were 6th then...
Unknowingly, the 20 mins passed fast enough.
Chequered flag went out and the 3 of them at the pit wall
signaled to me that we are still 4th!


It was enjoyable! At least we got back up and gotten ourselves
a trophy for our troubles!



I had captioned this pic as SpeedEmons. And they are, starting from left
Ivan, Sam, ME , Kelvin, Steven, Kenneth, Ah Tze, WeiJian, Leo, & Tony
David (seated)

Just Kart It? think again!

How many times you hear others making a remark that karting is easy. Because they think all we do is sit on the small little machine and just drive around the track.

how WRONG they are!

Karting is very physical – ask anyone who takes the sports seriously – and you need strength and stamina to last the race. Fitness training allows the karting racer to be at an optimum performance level physically and mentally.

The mental benefit of being in shape not only improves your confidence, it also assist your concentration. When you are out of shape, you will get tired faster. Less oxygen flows to the brain, resulting in headaches and a loss of concentration and focus. That ultimately affects race performance and driving skills.

Fitness training for karting includes working on your stamina and upper body strength. Take to martial arts training, jog in the morning or ride an exercise bike. These activities improve your cardio stamina.

For upper body strength, perform sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups etc. That will benefit the posturing in the driver seat.

Fitness training and dieting go hand-in-hand.

For breakfast, make sure you get healthy portions of protein and carbohydrates (for example, eggs with toast and juice). For lunch, make the most out of your carbohydrate intake (pasta dishes), and for dinner, eat more protein (chicken, steak or fish).

All karting drivers should remember this: If you work hard to be fit, your concentration will be better. Staying healthy also shows a sense of purpose, and that kind of drive is necessary in karting.

(revised from aboutkarting.com)

Safe Cornering Technique Unveiled!

Chance upon this video, and thought it was quite very well done.
So here I posted it.
One may find it very basic. I find it very basic, to be honest.
However, let's not forget that we should always get our basic
techniques spot on first.
Don't run until you can walk, rite?

This video actually discuss about braking, steering, lines, and
using the full track width during karting.
It show the very basic, and one should understand after watching it.
Once that's done, let's go to the track and practice it.
Nothing beats, Practice Makes Perfect!


cheers

those fun days!

This was written almost a year ago, while me and my buddies fervently hop on to the 390cc everytime we had a chance at Permas Jaya track. That was the times when the boss of track will organize a race for fun karters like ourselves. How it works is that we will pay RM2 more for the kart fee and have a best time recorded. Those with the top 20 times will then gather on a specified day and race. It was purely for fun. Although, there are some prize money and some trophies to be won too! No hassle then. No setting of kart. Just hop in and race. Great!

Coming Saturday, 21 June, we are going to relive this good old days perhaps for the very last time. We are having a 390cc 4 stroke 2 Hour Enduro Race. I will be teaming up with KP, Des, and Leo. We should do ok, if we draw a good kart.
Before the event, let reminiscence.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*

As written on Sunday, June 24, 2007

Track Position or Going Faster? - jon

June 23, do marked down this day
for this is the day for me and Nic to be earlier than KP.
but it must be said that he did have his reason for being
later than us... and it is Des and ringgit.
but who cares, we arrived earlier, KP!
=P

the 'objective' of karting is always to go faster than others
and have a fast lap time. it is no different yesterday as Des
& Nic had to post a good time with 390cc, 49 sec or less,
for the race on July 1
(next sunday, tickets are on sale now, please call us for it
hahahahaha)

at the end of the day, Des with kart 456 had a good time of
48.44sec, position 11 currently. i must say kart 456 is quite
a great kart to move around in on the track. it is torquey,
good high end speed and, rather well balanced into corners
and while braking.
needless to say i had my good lap time with that kart too.

while Nic, best time after 2 sessions, is 50.50sec, and his
position is not something we want to talk to him about... it
is something of 'national' mourning...
which is why he decided to do fun kart, not 390cc, next
sunday. therefore a non-position with 50.50sec will NOT
bother him except the fact that he WAS the fastest with
a 390cc among us the last time round..

the only significant difference in him between then and
now is that he drive a Vios now. looking at how Toyota is
doing in F1 currently, i wonder if the curse of its very
disappointing performance had being passed on to Nic.
hehehe

then for KP and myself, we already had a lap time which we do not
think could be knock off the list. while i chose not to do a timed
lap at all, KP tried to better himself. and he did managed it with
49.27sec. position 17.

for this last session, it is a race and time attack all roll into one.
since i am the only one who did not pay the extra RM2, i told
them that i will be at the tail end of the group, while they can eat
up the track with their respective kart in front of me.
order at start: Nic, Des, KP, Me.

before i go into the lap times, i suggest anyone thinking of doing go
kart semi seriously like us to have a full face helmet.
apart from debris and tyres bits that can hit you in the face, there
is oil splashes too!!
since i was the last of the group, i had to endure 3 karts oil
splashes from the 3 of them... but i never imagine have petrol
splashing at my face is one of them! things a good fren will do
=P

despite having a good track postion to roll start 1st, nic failed to
use it to his advantage. in lap 1, he span at turn 8 with the 3 of us
plus 2 more of PJ staff right behind him. thankfully, none of us hit
him while he stopped dead centre of the track. left and right we
went past him. phew..
then towards the end of the session, the 'Toyota curse' struck
him again. span at turn 2. des nearly hit him then. basically we
went past him twice. that's 2 meals treats, nicky boy! hahaha

but the real interesting observation of our, KP and i, lap times
during session 3.
nic had posted the times earlier. yesterday i was too tired to
be bothered. this morning looking at it and i asked him, 'is it
correct??'
i asked b'cos i was also constantly behind KP, but i was faster
than him all along? some lap i was faster than him by 2 whole
seconds!
how can that be? i did some research, and this might be why:

<Defending your Line>

defending your line is not always appropriate. You will put in
a slower lap time when you are defending. If you are in
the lead, or in a short race, or near the end of a long race,
where it's essential that faster karts don't overtake or if you
only have to hold off your opponent for a few laps, then it's
sensible to defend. However, the best way to prevent
people overtaking is to drive faster than them, and
leave a gap behind you. While you are defending, you
are not catching the people in front of you. In fact, not only
will your opponent be held up, you will be losing ground to
the whole field, which is particularly damaging in an enduro race.>

there u have it, the "why" i MAY BE faster than KP while
still be at the back.
it's a big MAY BE, cos i realised a glaring piece of info everyone
had neglected.
i was not in kart 97!!!!!!!!!

hahahahaha it might be one of the guys from PJ who went out
together with us that session
of cos, there's a possibility of a typo by nic. which cannot be
verified as he had sadly or happily discarded the time sheet.

but come next sunday, we shld only plan to do one thing. that is to
go faster and arrived earlier than anyone else at the finishing line.

Need for Brakes

If you have kart before, you have probably spun too before
you went into the corner.

We asked ourselves, why oh why at the point.
Is it not right to drive like a car? i.e. Pressing the brake and
turning the steering at the same time?
What did I do wrong? Why does it spin?

Here why:

Turning the steering wheel, even a little, under heavy braking can cause the kart to become unstable. How many times have you seen a kart spin out whilst entering a corner?

It is generally because the driver turned the steering wheel whilst still braking.
Straight line braking should be one of the first things that a driver masters. It allows for consistency whilst minimizes the risk of loosing control of your kart. The actions listed below must occur in a sequence

• Accelerate down the straight
• Release accelerator THEN apply brake pressure.
• Continue applying maximum brake pressure until the “turn in” point.
• Release brake
• Turn steering wheel followed by applying accelerator pressure.

The important point is to release brake pressure before turning the wheel.
(from kartpedia.com)

it's very important to understand this braking technique. The very basic
technique to karting. Take some time to understand and master these
esp for beginners. It is a must. Otherwise, a spinning kart is not where
you want to be in.

cheers

Driven by Speed, an Introduction to Go Karting

I always wanted just to try go karting. I had read and heard
what fun it is from others.
I do remembered speaking to someone at his booth with a go kart
when I first go to a Motorshow many years back. I asked him many
questions from the fitness required and the cost of running such a
machine.

As I was studying then, the cost seems astronomic.
Everything from buying a kart, tires, and accessories are really beyond
my humble background.
Not that the cost has reduced dramatically, but at least I do not have
to ask from my parents for it now,.

I have karted on Bintan, and Manila, however, it is where Johor Bahru
gives me somewhere to start karting very much frequently. Permas Jaya.
I started hop into the fun kart (80cc), then into the slightly more
powerful (WPP 80cc) kart, then moving to the 390cc kart (pic above).
All these are considered fun kart.
In between, I tried the 100cc race kart. The acceleration and
speed were nothing u can compared to! Both Amazing & Nerve
Wrecking! But very fun.

After much thoughts, I finally decided to get one personal race kart
myself! It's a big step for myself! And ever since I had learnt a lot.

Had never realized such a small diminutive machine is so much more
complicated than it appeared to be. Now, I'm still learning.
And the purpose of me blogging is that I hope I can crystallized my
experiences and learning points. So that I may reflect on it at a later
stage, and whoever read my posts may find it useful for either hobby
karting, or amateur race karting.

cheers