What Make You MooooovE....

Maybe you have read what I posted previously... perhaps
you have not. Nonetheless, I had been thinking about it.
Thinking about how one day I can feel so good about the kart,
and another day I just feel lousy, even plain depressing.

In the past 2 weeks, I had time to think it through somewhat.

Firstly, I identified that the most obvious reason is that of my
physical condition of the particular day. Someday, you just go.
And you just feel great. And then you kart some more. "What a day!"
you tell yourself. After all the exhaustion from the track activities,
you only feel knackered when you reached home in the evening.
Even though the neck and arm are ached, you will feel immensely
satisfied. However, could my physical condition differ that much
from one session to another?? A question I afraid I cannot answer
in absolute terms.

Which brought to think about "My Think"
Ok, ok I meant to say the mental sharpness or frame of mind that
particular day at the track.
I guess we have some of the 'Down time Days' along the way, I had
them too. I believed it is during these days, I just feel like driving
around the track. Feel the wind blowing into my helmet or suit.
It's like a leisure activities rather than a sports.

However, there are other times when I am like a different animal.
It is in these some days, I reached the track roaring to go like a lion
being unleashed to chase its prey..
Devouring whatever that stand in its way. Leaving no live prisoners
in its wake. Those days I felt motivated. I feel nothing can beat me.

BUT, I have to discover what this it that make me tick... make me
move like a hunting predator.

This is being demonstrated in the movie "Kung Fu Panda" which I
watched recently. If you have watched it, you will see that Master Shifu
discover how to use Po’s passion for food as a motivation to learn kung fu.
Chopstick skills improved Po’s agility. By putting together his 'constant'
hunger for food AND learning kung fu, he was able to master the art
beautifully.

So, I really do hope I will find out HOW and What about "My Think"
to make me Move on the track soon... Move real fast, that is!

10.10

Yes, a weekday for karting. How nice!
It was a surprise to see Gary there at the track side as well.
Since he's there means I could use his laser alignment tool for
my front wheel!
it's one of the most hi tech things I had done for my kart
COOL !

The initial alignment was very very wrong and out. After
spending some time to have it aligned, I was ready to kart.

I was ready for a good time. A good lap.....

However, throughout the day I somehow suffered from much
vibrations from the front. Could it be that the new hub was not
fitted properly or it was somewhat crooked?
Also, could it be that I was not feeling too good that day?

It was bad, after about 5 laps I was feeling the effects of the
vibrations. I was tired. And all my best lap time comes in the
second lap of the 3 sessions! tsktsk

It was an odd day. A bad day. As I promised myself a better
timing overall but all I got a a lot of screeching tyres noise.
Perhaps, they are right I should be smoother round the corners.
Maybe it's the bad habit that die hard.

Well, I shall test myself with the kart again soon.
And it's really go from the start.

PS. Learnt from one of my buddy there that he crashed out
heavily at the corner before the downhill.
Leg swollen as he flown out of the kart.
Thus, drive safely.... kart even more safely.
Get Well soon, Kenneth, my friend

Dark Green

from grandprix.com:

Formula 1 will support the FIA's Make Cars Green campaign by running on special green-grooved tyres at the Japanese Grand Prix. Bridgestone, a global partner for the FIA's campaign, launched the Make Cars Green tyre at a ceremony in Tokyo, with support from McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari and their star drivers Lewis Hamilton, Heikki Kovalainen, Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen.

The initiative aims to demonstrate that those involved in F1 support the FIA's goal of reducing the impact of motoring on the environment.

The link will be strengthened next year when F1 introduces the first energy regenerating hybrid devices, which are aimed at making the sport more relevant to the car industry and to help speed up the use of fuel-efficient technology on public roads.

-------------

I wonder sometimes, is motorsports going overboard to show that they are "sorry" that they are racing? Hence all the green pledges and movements to go with the sports recently. I'm all for a better world enviornment as we can all see that the earth is sickly. But motorsports in any form is Black, not Green regardless of what they try to do. Since we all cannot stop watching races or race ourselves, let's just put on a good show on the track and be Green in others ways. In short, my personal opinion, don't be a hypocrite or bow to the silly pressures.

It's a She

Ah, I nearly forgotten about this picture when Mary
shown her helmet to me.

See the helmet 'abrasions'?

It is the result when she flown into the tires wall at Turn 3, which is
the high speed right hander for the downhill charge.

Thankfully, she's ok and raring to kart again!

Well done, gal! Perhaps I shall have an interview and some photos
with her the next time I meet her on the track.

Basics, that isn't

After started karting at the new track at Plentong, JB, I had been advised by a number of fellow karters to spend more time in setting up my kart. Well, I had been more of let's hit the track asap guy. I finally got down to doing it yesterday. End result unknown yet as there is no way for me to put in a good lap. Regarless the gain, or even loss, in the set up in terms of timing I had came to appreciate that my tiny little kart need more attention than it is given now to bring me around as quickly as possible. I have to understand the kart is a non living thing, thus it will not adopt itself to move faster. I, the living being, on the other hand has to understand what is required to move it faster so that I can fix it up to its max potential.

The Karting Secret that Transforms Kart Drivers

Ok, let's get on with introducing some fundamentals of driving a kart that every driver should know. Getting these techniques nailed will really pay off later in the course, and are really going to boost your confidence in the kart.

Don't worry, I'm not going to patronise you, I'm assuming you are already a reasonable driver and you're here to perfect your techniques.

Here's what you're going to find out today

1. The way you hold your steering wheel directly affects the physics of your kart. You will find out the most effective way to hold your wheel, I'm serious- this really matters
2. How your posture in the kart makes it handle better, and makes feel and look like a real intimidator
3. Setting up your kart. You must, and I can't stress this enough, you must have your seat fixed in the right position. This should be very straight forward
4. Once you have a reasonable set up, your driving is the key to getting quicker, and is far more important than tinkering around with set up.

How to hold your steering wheel for maximum advantage.

This is nice and simple to start us off. Take a look through your karting mags and check out where the quick drivers hold the wheel. Now, the majority of quick drivers hold the wheel pretty close to the 10 to 2 position. From a drivers perspective this gives you a feeling of strength in the kart.

But more importantly, holding the wheel in the 10 to 2 position helps give the correct weight transfer from your body to the front of the kart, through your arms. In fact, holding the wheel correctly like this will make the front end stick better. Once you master the technique you will really feel the difference.

How you should sit in your kart, good posture.

Again, this is nice and simple but loads of drivers don't understand how vitally important this is. If you sit properly in the kart you will help the weight transfer across the kart (which remember is mega-important to handling). Here's what I mean.

Sit in your kart with your hands on the wheel at the 10 to 2 postion. Sit upright in your seat and puff your chest out a bit. Push against your wheel with your arms and then relax your arms. Now you should have a good strong posture in the kart, you will also look a lot more intimidating to other drivers! You will look like you mean business, and feel like you mean business too. This posture will also become vitally important in tomorrows ‘killer driving techniques' lesson.

Setting up your kart. Get the seat in the right place, please!

What's more important, being comfy in the kart or having the seat in the right place for the physics and handling of the kart? Well I didn't start winning races until I put the seat in the right place, according to my kart manufacturer. I'm over 6ft, and unfortunately for me that meant I had to drive with my knees up round my ears!!.

So if you want your kart to work properly, ask the maker of your chassis exactly where your seat should go. You can then start moving the pedals and steering column to fit. Now if you are tiny, you may need to reach a compromise, but just remember the seat position comes before where you feel comfortable.

Getting your driving right before you obsess over your set up

I am assuming here that you have a half sharp engine, a straight chassis and a sensible set up. Once you have these your main priority should be to practice honing your driving skills, because that's the best way to get quicker AND how you will learn to become a great driver. And, if you aren't at a stable level with your driving how are you going to know what difference your new set up makes.

Ok, today's lesson was nice and basic, and quite short. If you feel you would like to talk more about what I've tackled today you can get a free no obligation consultation direct from me by going to www.evenflow.co.uk/freeconsult.htm.

Tomorrow we will go much deeper into the art of driving, and I'm going to cover the number 1 driving secret you need to start practicing now, if you want to become one of those ‘special' drivers. This is a technique I used to take 2 seconds a lap off one driver's best times in one practice session, without touching the set up- it happened as if by magic and blew us both away!

from http://www.evenflow.co.uk/posture.htm

WET & Traffic

4 Oct, Supposed to wake at 6am, but somehow I stop my
alarm without me realizing it. Luckily I still managed to
drag myself out of the bed by 6.20am.

The traffic into JB was smooth today on both sides.
Returning at about 5+pm, it was even smoother!

Today I was there 1st to help KP to warm his kart, since he
is in Japan for 3 weeks for work. Well, I'm more than delighted
to say Yes! However after waiting close to 2 hours, his kart
engine cannot start. His plug was fouled with oil, and somehow
the oil cannot be displaced off. Gees I don't know what's wrong
but I think they need to have a good look at the engine already.


my gears being under used today

Today I really had limited time to kart as the main reason was
that I was waiting for my front hub extension to come along.
Before, I went out twice but was not able to push too hard.
My front tyres was really bald, and any places that need
extreme grip I slide.

Before I went out for any track time, I did managed to raise the
front of my chassis. It is supposed to give more grip to the front.
Although I was sliding here and there on the track I did feel that
there was indeed more bite the balding tyres. There was some
high speed section that I can steer in without lifting any throttle.
coool !

Next up, my hub extension arrived! Fitted with new tires on the
new hub extension and I went out on a semi dry track.
The feel of the front end seems much better in my hands, and
that it did help the grip even further and better. However, it may
just be the new front tires. Then some problems arises with my
new found super front grip is that the rear end snap out!

new front hub fitted
the difference between the 2 front wheels.

Thankfully, for the few times I managed to catch it. Then I thought
with the track full of fun tracks and condition semi wet/dry I rather
not risk it on evaluating the gains I may have on the new adjustment
and 'upgrades' today. I shall live to kart another fine day!

Chlid's Play

1 Oct, Plentong Track (where else??? )

I went to kart on the public holiday because I know Gary will
be going as well. Good to have someone to kart together on track,
or at least talk to after each other session which is what we did
more.

Secondly, before i brush and wash up at 8+am, I check the online
traffic update and saw that the causeway is clear! In less than 1omins,
I'm out of my front door.

Thirdly, the rain that poured the nite before has stopped. Some sun
shine through the cloudy skies which is a good sign. The day continue
to be cloudy with some drizzle which make karting that day somewhat
more relaxed.

Only my 3rd (12 laps) and 4th (20 laps) sessions I felt good, the 1st
2 sessions I only could complete 6-8 laps and I felt very breathless
and drained! Perhaps I need to warm up more before I pilot my
kart from now on.

My time is still not good at the moment, Gary had advised me to get
the settings as sweet as possible before going for a very good time.
If my settings, height of chassis, front end setting, rear end setting,
some additional equipment like torsion bars and front hub for a better
feel of the kart. All these will translate to a better kart in general.
Without proper set up, it will really just be child's play.

During my last session of the 20 odd laps, I had to go slow for a lap
or two before I try to push again. During the slower lap, I tried to
do a mental note of some landmarks of braking points.
Because this track has quite some long fast straight, I afraid in moment
of fatigue without 'landmarks' I could lost concentration and miss
the braking zone. It would be very nasty should a high speed crash
ensue.

Anyway, today, the following day from my karting, I am having a
neck ache, right side. Guess it's time to 'train' my neck or else it's
going to be very tough when race comes up.

Talking about chlid's play, Mr Luca of the F team which recently
scored ZERO point from Singapore F1 GP lashed out and said that
Singapore street circuit is a Circus!
I will say to him, You and your team is the clown if our circuit
is a circus! Go back to holding your Lollipop Lah!pic from ITV-F1