Sweating it out

29 July

Was at the track on 25 July morning.

Much as I wanted to sleep in I wanted to check if the chassis is
really fine.

Thankfully, the weather was just great with sun all the day while
I was there.

There was a group of guys and gals there as well taking turn to
try out a kart fitted with Rotax Max engine.
By chance I was out on the track with one of them was too.

Because of several factors I managed to just ease past him,
and continue on my way.

They got really interested in my kart and getting to know how to
go faster. We chatted... and then they started shooting me!

And here are a few good shots which I was tagged in FB.
interesting...!
Hope I can get more of the pics, as they seems to be snapping
all the way while I was driving.

Not everyday I felt like a 'celebrity' !

Racing with a Flip

26 July

On 18 July, there was a race. During my initial outing on the kart,
my kart hit and flipped over a tyre wall!

Before that with more details, KP made me this:

Now people will know who's in front of them...

The day was wet and cool. The rain is light but will not stopped.
Basically, everyone just have to adapt to drive around with slick
on a damp track.
Perhaps I had mentioned before, wet driving is not my forte.
I was just slightly apprehensive, but looking forward to it at the
same time.

Getting the kart ready, I just hop in and off I went.

The 1st 2 laps were just treated like a sighting laps, and see where
the grip is and what grip level there are available.

Completing the 2nd laps, I thought I had a pretty good idea of how
to drive. Coming to the start finish line, I gunned my throttle down
as if I am running on a dry track. 1st big bad mistake. Then my
throttle was jammed somewhat. 2nd mistake is that I tried to stop
by braking too hard too much, the wheels just locked up and from
that split second I was just a passenger.

All was happening so fast. I recalled I thought I managed to steer
the kart to my right. Somehow I already knew it was inevitable that
a huge one is awaiting me...

I remembered hitting the tyre wall...
I remembered seeing the sky...
then nothing for awhile...
then the sky again...
that's when I realised the kart was on me.

I was pinned down!

Fuel was spilling from a loose outlet on to me at a slow
regular interval!

I tried to kick the kart away but it was not moving an inch..
Then I sort of laugh, and I wonder why I do that (laugh) now.

Thankfully, within a short span of time, Alan Smith and
Graeme came over and get me out of my mishap.
The rest soon followed suit to check if I am ok.
I was. Only one big bruise on my right thigh.

I took my my helmet and suit and the top inner wear soon
as the petrol burn on the right shoulder was starting to feel
more than uncomfortable.

Thankfully too, the kart escaped largely unscathed with only
it's side pod bar bent. PHEW..

Pics of the marks left on the tyre...


Qualifying came and I took it 'slow'.
And from the feel of it, the kart is indeed ok.
Managing to get a decent 5th from 11 guys.

The Heat 1 race was interesting.
On the first lap, at the Black Hole, I managed to find a better line
through and got past both Alan Lange and Leo exiting it.

I could have stayed 3rd throughout, but I was pushing too hard.
At the downhill hairpin, going in too deep, I spun!
Darn.

Finished 4th, which is good considering not too long ago the kart
was on me!

Heat 2. I sat it out along with Leo and KP.
The rain was heavier then, and most guys were on wets.
Hence, in safety sake, we decided to just watch from the sidelines.
It was interesting being a spectator, and we enjoyed it.
And as usual, we wished we were there racing.

But having the right equipment for the job is important.
Else there is every chance to be pushing too hard with those
on wets and disaster could only be very real.

all for now... drive safe!

cheers

Wrong can be Good

7 July 2010

Last Saturday, 3 July, KP was kind enough to give me a ride
to Plentong as I was still without four wheels ... and aircon.

He came to get me before 6.30am, and we managed to get to
the track before 8.30am.

We set about doing our individual maintenance, and prepare
the kart for the day's running.

It had been pouring the week, and it sure look set to rain that
morning. It did just before KP changed and getting into his kart!
I was also just about to get change then too..
Gees!
It was pretty heavy rain. I was ready to just do more
maintenance and not get on to the track.

But the heaven smiled at us.
The sun shone on the track for about 10mins and somehow dried
the track. It was great. The entire day that followed was just
overcast sky. Thinking back, I hardly broke a sweat.

I was just using the White Vega for practice since I reckon there
was no way it could last another race distance with its rear really
shot.

The entire day I was just doing some consistent times of mid
46sec. I think I understood more of some dynamics of the strut
bar by making some settings with it at the front end.

KP was complaining about some front end issues too.
So Jason suggested to him that he could narrowed his front.
He did and the kart did not get better and got worse instead!

I was 'tasked' to try and see if it was really that bad.
Out of the pits, I throttled and brake just to assess the karts
limits... and I found that the brakes wasn't really working!
Or at least, I was not used to it at all. I really have to depress
my left foot all the way down and wait... for it to S...T..O .... P !

I returned to the pits and jumped out of it (literally!)
Jason then bravely went out with it.
With a few laps, and my one 'not so fast' lap we felt it was
understeering.
So the right advice for him then was to widen the front end,
and not narrowing it.

Yes, he wasted some time there going the wrong way in search of
a better setup. However, I believed by going the wrong way he
managed to find a point to work with and from. Especially when
he seldom do some settings and even less time to kart mostly.

I had gone through a few occasions when new settings actually
put me backwards. Obviously I was frustrated. However, I now
see the benefits of it. I had accumulated those experience and
knowledge. Which I feel it will be useful. Also some of the things
will start to make more sense.

This is why go kart or sports is/ can be fun.

We can go wrong. We are human. But it is those who learned and
grow from it that will eventually come up tops.

So, do not be afraid to try and try and go wrong because it will only
get better if one persevere.

cheers