On the Limits

28 Feb

I think I will really got some aches if I can race on 7 March.
Because I had not been on the kart for more than 3 weeks
since the engine had problems.

But still, I will stay with the positives.

Just more than a week ago, I include in a post here on the
issues of over-driving from appm.co.uk
and now this article about the driving to the limit along
with the one about 'under-driving'

It does seems like a straight forward read, but getting our
driving spot on requires a lot of work.
And I am still learning and feeling my way through.
These read helps me, and I'm sure hope it will help you too.


Under-driving

As stated in our previous email (Overdriving), underdriving is a common issue that a driver will face during his or her career.  However it is generally less common, especially with more experienced drivers. 

Underdriving is where a driver does not push his or her kart hard enough and drives under the limit.  Examples could be:

·        Braking too early and/or too hard

·        Entering a corner too slowly

·        Getting on the power too late, or all of these three

When you are underdriving, the kart will not feel alive under you and driving will feel relatively easy.  By its very nature underdriving will cost you time and it will become a habit if it goes unrecognised. 

Underdriving and your 'Desire Level'

Underdriving, as with overdriving, is directly related to a driver's 'Desire Level', although in this case we could substitute the word 'Commitment'.  Here the individuals 'Commitment' is below that required by the particular circuit or corner that they are driving.  As a very broad rule drivers will tend to overdrive slow/medium speed corners and underdrive faster corners.

Underdriving and the 'Zone'

As stated in our earlier email 'The Peak Performance Zone', the Zone is a state of hyper concentration created by a high level of Desire/Commitment, which is totally focussed by a driver on his or her personal performance.  Underdriving therefore, with its lower level's of commitment, will take you away from the Zone and into conscious (thinking) driving.

 The Cure

Recognise it - as with overdriving, you first of all need to be able to recognise underdriving before you can do anything about it.  Generally the cause of underdriving will be found in a driver's state of mind and in an honest assessment of their level of commitment.  A driver always needs to be aware of which corners they might be overdriving and those that they might be under driving.  This should be assessed before looking at any technique or handling issues as they will create or mask them

Understand why your commitment is low - It could be due to any of the following:

1.      Weak Goals - There is a connection between the strength of your goals and the level of your commitment, ask yourself.... how much do I really want it?

2.      Lack of Focus - If your focus on your performance is not 100% (you are too laid back) you will simply not try hard enough. An example of this could be a driver who likes driving racing cars but who is not a 'racing driver'

3.      The Fear / Commitment / Confidence Connection - We need to remember that driving any racing car quickly requires a certain level of bravery; the quicker the kart and the quicker the corner the braver you need to be.  If you are nervous your commitment level will naturally reduce in line with how nervous you are feeling and this will in turn sap your confidence.  Try to:

·        Keep your focus on your driving plan - (see email No.6 Driving Plan), the more you focus on what you should be doing rather than what might happen the more confidence you will create and the nearer to the Zone you will be

·        Ensure that your technique is correct - poor technique can create a nervous kart (and a false limit) which can seriously affect your confidence

·        Build up slowly - if there is a corner which you are nervous about and are currently underdriving remember to build up to it slowly.  Pushing too hard too early will only cause you to tense up and make errors which will further reduce your confidence

·        Be positive - this goes without saying 

An under driving driver will only go quicker if he both wants to and knows how to.  Trying harder without knowing how to drive better will only create overdriving.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Driving On The Limit

In the past couple of emails we have discussed over and under driving in some detail, so we now need to discuss how we are actually going to drive on the limit.  In this discussion, for the sake of simplicity, we will need to assume that the driver's technique is perfect, we are only going to be looking at the effect on performance of over and under driving.

If overdriving is over the limit and underdriving is under the limit, then the true limit must reside between the two.  'Push' too hard and we overdrive and lose time; 'push' too little and we underdrive and lose time.  So to be the quickest that we can be will mean that we are constantly aware of when we need to control ourselves (hold ourselves back) and re-focus or desire to combat overdriving.  Conversly sometimes we will need to increase our desire/commitment (and push ourselves harder) to overcome underdriving.

Managing the balance between over and under driving:

1.      Recognise it early - as we stated in the previous two emails, before you can address over or under driving you need to be aware of its onset.  Ideally this should be done whilst you are actually lapping; unfortunately many drivers only recognise it once they have come into the pits

2.      Correct it quickly - the longer you over or under drive the more you will get into a rut.  If you are overdriving turn down the commitment tap and if you are underdriving turn it up

3.      Be in control of yourself - overdriving especially, shows a lack of self control as it is very easy to allow yourself to overdrive.  Controlling  overdriving can require tremendous self control because essentially you telling yourself that you have to drive slower to go faster.... not easy when you are under pressure (and when aren't you?)

4.      Understand how you are feeling - we all have good and bad days which affect our energy levels and mental alertness, which in turn will affect how we 'feel' (wide awake/ tired or happy/sad).  We need to be constantly aware of our energy levels and modify the level of 'push' required, on good days we will need to hold ourselves back and on bad days we will need to push ourselves harder.

5.      Focus on being in the Zone - your desire level needs to be high enough to get you into the Zone but not so high that you try and overachieve.  This will take you into conscious (thinking) driving which will take you out of the Zone

Exceptions to the rule:

As with everything there are exceptions to every rule and there will be some occasions when slight over or under driving can help you.  A few examples are listed below:

·        Some karts may perform better when they are slightly underdriven and others when they are slightly overdriven

·        Some circuits with low grip may need to be under driven to get the most out of them and the reverse could be true for higher grip circuits

·        Some corners on a given circuit may need to be underdriven whilst other may need to be overdriven

Driving on the limit is simple... push yourself to the limit but not over it!

WD-40 at a lower price

24 Feb

We all probably know what WD-40 is, and most of us use it quite
very often on our kart.
Its usage and application are very wide.
However, this good product isn't exactly 'cheap' but I had this
'lobang' (avenue) that sell it cheaper than anywhere else I had been.
S$6 per 277ml can.
Do drop me a mail if you are interested, and I can help you with it.

Cheers

thanks for reading

F1 tests at Jerez, while I stay off track

23 Feb

Most of the F1 teams had been busy testing their cars
in Spain.

Like any other years, there are quite a number of changes to
the sports AGAIN...  see below for the 2010 changes from wiki

It is very important for the teams to do as much as possible
during these test sessions to assess their cars and all its other
equipments.

For myself, my ambition of doing the 1st race of RMC is very
likely to be hampered since the engine is still not ready from its
repair. That implies I have no chance of testing the kart with
Mojo D2 tyres setup.

So it is very likely that I will have to miss the 1st RMC race in
Sepang on 13/14 March which will be running in the opposite
direction. How exciting!

I would love to join in the fray if I can to just try, but the cost
of participating the race is quite high. Hence, I feel it will be better
if I can be more ready to really race with the field then just to
be there. Although I can gain some experience from just being on
the grid, the cost still a hinder.
Not to forget, I have no idea yet how much the engine repair bill
will come up to!
Gees!!!

Well, I'm doing this for fun (serious fun though) so I will not be
too bother for now. Just have to be more practical on what to
spend on, and how.

Can't kart, so I just have to do more running and swimming to
compensate on the lack of time on the track. Hope I do not
slack off too much in pace once the machinery is ready.

Ok, not forgetting about the F1 2010 rules changes...

• Refuelling during the race is to be abolished for the first time since 1993.[152] Despite the resolution over the budget cap and the decision for 2010 to fall back to the 2009 rules, FOTA have expressed interest in a refuelling ban as it represents a way to cut costs.[153]

• Formula One Management will offer financial support to all new teams from next season, in the form of $10m (£6.25m, €6.8m) along with the free transportation of two chassis and 10,000 kg (22,049 lbs) of freight to each race.[154]

so KERS is not entirely unlaw....

• FOTA has agreed to scrap KERS for 2010 due to poor uptake and pressure from FIA to cut costs, although KERS is not banned in the regulations.[155]

• The minimum car weight will be increased from 605 kg to 620 kg (1,334 lbs to 1,367 lbs) to stop taller and heavier drivers being at a disadvantage if KERS is added to their car, which will still be allowed in 2010, despite FOTA's agreement not to use the system.[156]

• The maximum number of cars allowed to take part in a race shall be increased from 24 to 26 cars.[151]

• The qualifying system will change to accommodate the extra cars: 8 cars will drop out of the first qualifying session, 8 from the second and as in 2009, 10 cars will shoot-out for pole in the third session. The third session will now be run in low-fuel configuration due to the refuelling ban.[157]

• The top ten drivers to qualify for the race must start the race on the same set of tyres that quaified with.[158] In the event that a tyre is damaged in qualifying, the FIA technical delegate will assess the extent of the damage and may allow the car to switch tyres to a set he deems to be safe.[159]

• Wheel covers which have been used by the teams since 2006 are also set to be banned for 2010.

• The front tyres will be narrowed from 270mm to 245mm to improve the balance of grip between the front and rear.

• During negotiations of a new Concorde Agreement at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, several details[160] emerged of cost-cutting proposals by the teams including:

1. A limit on the number of aerodynamic upgrades permitted over the course of a season.
2. A continuation of the ban on in-season testing introduced for 2009.
3. Restrictions on the number of team personnel who can attend a Grand Prix weekend.
4. Complete closures of team factories over the mid-season summer break.

• Teams must homologate certain parts of the car,[160] including the driver's survival cell, roll structures, all impact structures and the front and rear wheels,[159] which will mean they cannot be changed over the course of the season without written approval from the FIA on the grounds of safety.

• A new points system has been ratified for 2010, in response to the increased grid. Since 2003, points had been awarded to the top eight finishers: ten points for first, eight for second, six for third and all the way down to one for eighth place. The 2010 system will see 25 points for first, 18 for second, with third receiving 15, 12 for fourth and then ten, eight, six, four, two, and one for tenth place.[158]

• The 2010 cars are 20-22cm longer than the 2009 versions because of the larger fuel tank.[161]The stewarding system will be overhauled for 2010. Rather than having a rotating line-up of stewards, they will now be drawn from a smaller, fixed pool of permanent stewards that will include former drivers.[162] This is an attempt to make the stewarding process more transparent, following recent controversies involving the stewards. Previously, stewards were only able to issue twenty-five second penalties for infractions that occurred too late in the race for drivers to receive a normal penalty, but for 2010 they will have the power to hand out twenty-second penalties to drivers who would have received a drive-through penalty and thirty-second penalties to those who would have received a stop-go penalty.[159]

• 2009 saw the teams banned from conducting any testing once the season had commenced. This will be amended for 2010, with stand-in drivers being permitted to complete one day of testing (provided they have not participated in an F1 race in the last two calendar years) at a circuit that is not on the calendar.[163] This was introduced in response to a situation arising whereby rookie drivers such as Jaime Alguersuari and Romain Grosjean were unable to physically drive a Formula One car ahead of Friday practice on their debut.

• Drivers will now have just eleven sets of tyres over the course of a weekend, down from fourteen in 2009.[158] Three of these sets must be returned over the course of a weekend.

• Provisions within the Concorde Agreement mean that teams will now be able to miss as many as three races before being ejected from the championship, though the FIA has made it clear that they will not be able to miss races without incurring some kind of penalty.

Richard Bradley at Kartright

21 Feb

As mentioned in my previous entry that a certain UK driver will
be at Kartright today, and he is Richard Bradley.

 

Who is he?

He is one of the top kart drivers in UK, winning a British Karting
championship in 2008 with Wright Karts team.
This team also played a role in the development of current
Formula One stars Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button and David
Coulthard.
Currently, he had signed for Eurasia Motorsport to contest the
2010 Formula BMW Pacific season.

So he must be quick.. Of course, he is! 
But that's not what really impressed me, as he had been racing
in top level for almost 10 years so speed is almost as natural as
to him as breathing.  Ok... I exaggerated!

It is when he returned to the pits and relayed specifically to Uncle Yee
what is 'ok' and what is 'not ok' on the chassis, tyres and engine that
caught the eye.
Did I mentioned "specifically" ?

After each outing for a couple of laps, he returned, made some changes
and then finally got it to his liking.

There was an informal race at about 3plus. Starting from middle of the
pack, Richard just peeled away steadily to the front and pull away from
the rest of the pack fairly quickly. I reckon he is about a good 0.5second
faster per lap from the rest.

 

 Richard on kart 20 from Sunburst / AmTwin

The kart he drove is definitely not the latest on the kart market

nor is the engine. But with his experience and knowledge, he did

what he could to the machinery and drove to his and its limit to

finish ahead of others.

I guess from this it just show me that it is more important to improve

ones' driving technique and really learn to set the kart up properly to

the track condition.

These skills will really put one in good stead for most racing conditions

ahead of what the best money can buy.

I hope there will be some chance to really learn from him, and from

what I understood it may be possible.  Let's watch these space here.

Over... and out

19 Feb

No karting for me this week or even the next since my engine is still
undergoing its repair. The long public holidays of Chinese New Year
do not help the cause. But, hey, I had found the positives from it all.
I could rest and really get my ribs to its pain free state, importantly
with the engine repaired it should last me for this year without any
major hitch (fingers and toes crossed!! )

On Sunday, 21 Feb, I may go to Kartright to take a look as I
understand a certain UK driver will be test out with Uncle Yee.
It should be interesting. Perhaps I will bug Uncle Yee for a drive too.

Previously there were some mailers from http://www.appm.co.uk/
talking about driving. Under-driving, Driving on the limit and
Over-driving.

Before I really start, I would like to say there are some do kart
for just the thrill of it. That is to hear the tyres screech and feel
oneself smacking into their seats. Yes, it is fun but painfully slow.

That is mostly due to over-driving, and what I would like to present
you with that first because it is what most of us do when we first
started and when we are in the heat of the race.
Simply put, it is when we 'lost control' of the kart and ourselves.
During the times of over-driving, we just refused to feel or listen
to the kart anymore. Instead of getting faster, the lap times will
just get slower.

Which is why I understood when I did, why others is preaching to
me the old saying 'slow is fast'. It is very tough to understand it
initally, but when you start to have the confidence and the feel of
it you just will get better.

Now, to the Overdriving article from appm.co.uk:

Of all the performance related issues that a driver will face during his career overdriving and to a lesser extent underdriving (which we will cover in our next email) is the one that will crop up time and time again.  It is not just the preserve of the novice, overdriving will visit the professional driver regularly throughout his or her career.

Overdriving, by its very name suggests that one is driving the kart too hard and over the limit.  Examples could be:

·        Braking too late and too hard

·        Entering a corner too quickly

·        Getting on the power too early, or all of these three

When you are overdriving everything feels like it is happening too fast and it's as if the car is getting ahead of you, rather than you being ahead of the car!

Overdriving can create significant losses of time; it can be persistent and cause you to get into a rut; it can be very tiring and it can also mask the handling/balance of the kart, which will lead to poor feedback and ultimately incorrect changes to the kart.  It is generally caused by a driver getting to a point where their times bottom out and they can't (or more correctly, don't know how to) go any faster, so they naturally try harder... and start to go slower.

Overdriving and the 'Zone'

In most things in life the harder we try the better we do but this does not apply to karting.  When we overdrive we get frustrated and start to try and make things happen, this implies that we are driving consciously rather than naturally/instinctively in the Zone. If you refer back to our 4th email in this series you will remember that the Zone is where your Peak Performance resides.

Overdriving and your 'Desire Level'

Over driving is directly related to a driver's 'Desire Level' (desire to be quick) not being matched by their knowledge of how to go faster at that point in time.  At the start of the day the driver may have had a clear plan of how to go quicker and implemented it;  but now other drivers are going quicker than them, they have run out of ideas and in desperation resort to just trying harder. 

 The Cure  

1.      Recognise it - overdriving is so easy to do that many people don't even know they are doing it, so before you can cure it you first need to recognise when you are doing it.  The early signs are usually connected with a feeling of frustration starting to build, shortly followed by the kart starting to get ahead of you (you push harder but don't go any quicker).

2.      Re-focus your Desire - Correctly directed desire is essential if we are going to be quick.  Overdriving is a misdirection of desire into just pushing harder; your desire needs to be focussed away from just trying harder into something that will actually make you quicker.  To do this you will need to:

a)     Analyse carefully where you can make improvements in each corner (see our email on Effective Testing)

b)     Focus all of your desire and effort solely on implementing your corner corrections to the very best of your ability.  This will give your mind something clear to concentrate on which will in turn stop it from wandering and bring you back into the Zone

3.      Keep your focus on your Personal Performance - Don't become distracted by the performance of other competitors; you can only do the best that you can do.  Chasing time will always open the door to overdriving.

4.      Set realistic goals - Goals are essential but if they are unrealistic you are setting yourself up to overdrive from the start.  It's important to make continual small improvements throughout the day rather than striving for rapid big improvements.  Remember your fastest lap should be in your last session of the day.  

Ultimately, controlling overdriving is directly related to self discipline and a structured technique.  Don't ever try and drive faster, only try and drive better.

Tigerish Year

13 Feb

Just a day before Chinese all around the world will celebrate the
Chinese New Year. In 2010, it will be the the year of Tiger in
the chinese calendar.

As we all know, the Tiger is the closest to being the King of the Jungle.
It is fast, powerful and ferocious but yet a beautiful and elegant beast
to admire from afar.

Somehow, these descriptions also fit that of a race kart on a track
during a race. The 'small' machine with its decals all around, the
drivers in their 'battle' suit along with their own individual helmets
are actually quite a pretty sight. All shiny. All so very nice.

But once the engine starts to roar, visors closed, drivers ready,
the green flag dropped everyone turns into a predator.
Everyone wants to overtake everyone else. Every driver is fighting
for their right to finish higher up than the rest.
Everyone become a tiger, of sorts.
We become "a beast" which I think its essential for one to be good at
racing. The beast impulses to be really dominant, the beast hunger to
be the best among the rest, and the beast aggression when a fight
ensued.

I just hope this year will be a fruitful Tigerish year for me on the track.

I like to wish everyone A Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Tigerish Year !
新年快乐!

P.S.   happy valentine's too!!

Thanks for reading once again.
pics from www.theholidayspot.com/chinese_new_year/

the Allure of motorsports

9 Dec

Another entry deriving from a highly disappointing race for myself
on Sunday.

I will say that it was particularly annoying when my race is cut short
by a engine problem.
Beside myself, there are also another 4 others who had to stop during
Heat 2 because of various reasons.
I bet it was mighty frustrating for them too.

We all prepared and woke up early so that we can have a good race
only to end up watching the race by the sidelines.

But I guess this is motorsports. It is highly uncertain.

At times, the winner of the race do not have the fastest machine or
the best equipment and they just win.
e.g. James Lee's rear axle was banged pretty hard before Heat 1 by
Kenneth in the pits area. Frankly, I would  think at some point he may
have wondered if he can even race at all with the damage when he called
out to me saying that his axle is crooked at the grid.
Of course, he did raced, blazed the field and 'just won'.
No one knows how he did it, but he did what he did.
He is of course already the fastest among us.

Also, Ivan who had a good Heat 1 finishing second sccumbed to a
finger/ hand cramp and only managed third after Allan Lange overtook
him. All respect to Alan, but I would expect Ivan to hold his position under
'normal' condition. Whatever it is normal, that is.

Ah, based on offical time sheet, Ivan is only fourth with Leo 2nd, and
Allan third. But during our weigh in, Leo was found to be underweight
by slightly more than 1 kg! The last time, not too long ago, he was found
to be underweight by <0.something>kg.  How unfortunate!
The funny thing is that he had about the same fuel level and everything
else similar as Heat 1 but fail to have the same weight in Heat 2.
Only thing I told him that could be the difference maybe the loss of water
from racing. In our hot and humid weather here, it is not uncommon that
the amount of water loss is pretty high.  So it's also "Alamak" for him!

You see, in a sports with so much uncertainties it sure hold much
attractions to us. It's a bit like gambling. Because if we win or do well
the satisfaction is immense!   It brings a smile that last for weeks
on our face, and awaiting for more of the same to come by.
It drive one to do even better, as if I had built a solid foundation to go
even higher/ faster.

Inversely, the same applies. With my sore leg, back and ribs, bad engine,
and a lousy end result I was sort of frowning on Sunday evening and
yesterday... So I just hope and can't wait for a smile to returned on
7 March, when there's the next race, hopefully a good one personally.

Times from the Race

8 Feb

Thanks to Tony, here are times from the laps of yesterday race.

Also Mark has a race video at Race Video

I had only done 2 laps for heat 2, it seems and had to get back into

the pits in lap 3 itself.

If only the engine hold up I guess I will have a good race with Alan,

Ivan and later with Leo.

In Heat 1, one interesting moment is when I had to overtake Louis

at the hairpin just before the start finish line. After which, I just kept

him there. That was not good enough as my pace was relative slow

as Alan Lange overtook me shortly after. He had a darn good race

throughout the day with his Rotax Max. I can see that his hard

work on the kart paid off, no one can deny him that. Hard work

pay off, not only just getting new or more 'powderful' engines.

So more hard work ahead for me to get better!

Now, I just wonder what is really wrong with my engine.

Sigh...

Also my right leg really hurt along with my back now.

It does seems the vibration from the engine is not of massage

nature!  darn darn darn

Falling well short of expectations

7 Feb

I have much energy left in me today, right now, not tired, fresh...
Probably you got the idea... and why would I be in this state?

Engine problem. It was vibrating so badly that I feel my bone
shake to its core in the opening laps of Heat 2.

I had to pit in after that.
Currently the engine is sent for further inspection so that I can
use it for the next race.


It is quite very disappointing as I was hoping for a good race.


During qualifying, I had already felt something is not right with
the kart with some vibration.
I thought it was tyres, which I am using for the second race.
I just pushed on, but the result is only 7th.

During Heat 1, although I managed the entire 15 laps I just feel
terrible. The kart was just vibrating . Vibrate when it was on the
straight, and when I was accelerating uphill. My leg is now kind
of aching from all these shaking about.
At the end of it, I was beat from just driving from it.


Even as I finished better from my qualifying Heat 1 in 5th,
I just felt there was something 'not right' and I was not
doing as well as I thought I could.

Got to just put this behind me and see what the next race hold.

Really tired...  perhaps more details in the next ones.
How odd that is I am 'feeling' energetic but yet tired at the same time.
tsktsk   Cold be the anger within myself!

Racing starting

6 Feb

Tomorrow will be the 1st club race we are going to have
for the year in Plentong.

Perhaps then it will be good to be setting some goals.
Naturally, it will be great to get a win with my name
in one or some races.
Who doesn't race for a win, right?

In a more realistic personal assessment currently,
I guess it will be absolutely excellent to be the top 3
finishers for much of the races we are going to have.

Okay, that's what I'm going to aim for and really hope
for smooth and fruitful start tomorrow.

Just some pics:

a broken clutch coming off a Rotax Max, seen at KartRight track.
something like this will cost about S$200 to replace!


and check this out:

the above is known as , meaning no engine only our legs to
power this kart around West Coast Park.
how interesting...!  now i wonder how much "bhp" my limbs will give me

perhaps i will organize a race or two for some of us with this!

Saving Costs

1 Feb

Unlike running or swimming or football, go karting has never really
been a sports that is easy on the wallet or purse.

For running, I purchased a pair of New Balance running shoe, and
some sock and off I go running. Cost less than S$100

Swimming, I got my trunk and goggle, paddle away I go.
Cost less than S$50

When it come to go karting, it's a bit more than just 'let's go'.
Or should I just say 'MORE'

To put the kart on the track, the track fee has to be paid.
Then the fuel tank has to be filled with  petrol mixed with 2T.
At times, some engine or chassis parts has to be replaced
from wear and tear. This is to ensure no other major parts will
be damaged and to ensure the kart perform at its best.


Talking about performing at its best, tyre choice is critical.
Once the tyre is past its prime, we may find our lap times
getting slower and slower, more than 1 second slower sometimes.

Which is why, last year most of us started to use MG yellow for
the races instead of Mojo D2.
MG as compared to Mojo give us about 1 second faster per lap!
Which is great!
However, it come with a price, literally.
The cost of a set of MG yellow may not be too much different
from Mojo, but MG could only last about 2 races with some practise
in between and its performance will start to dip.

Whereas for Mojo, as far as I can recall, I will be able to use it for
about 3 races with practices in between. That will mean it is for
about a good 2-3 months costing close to S$300 per set.

As compared to 1-2 month on with a set of MG on the same price.

There are discussion now among a few of us which we will agree
to all use Mojo tyres for this year club races in order to save cost.
It will be a sensible call to me personally especially since Mojo
can go as fast as the MGs if we set it up properly.

It will be up for discussion for the 1st race this Sunday, 7 Feb
for the first proper club race.
Let's hope it will all come to a good agreement.

cheers