Monday, May 31, 2010

How Fast?

31 May


Was just thinking about this:

How many times did someone asked me 'how fast can a go kart go?'
This can be asked when it is at the track or during food & drinks when I
answered Go Kart is my hobby.

Many times... had I been asked this particular question.
'FAST..!' is not really an answer they want to hear or something for them
to comprehend.

So based on last race with the track distance at 1.035km I think I had
worked out this if one complete the track in:

i. 46 sec, the average speed is 80.99 km/h

ii. 45 sec, the average speed is 82.8 km/h

iii. 44 sec, the average speed is 84km/h

Do note this is the average speed taking into the consideration there's
slow hairpins and also the fast long straight.
Which means at some point the top speed should be close to 90++ km/h
or even 100km/h... !! ohmy.gif thumbsup.gif

That said, looking at the figures, I just have to be truly appreciate how
little differences can make up so much time! shocked.gif
If one can drive better to have more speed overall by just a mere 2km/h
(relative to road car) one can reduce the lap time by one second!

Of course, that is easier said than done.

Since now I am between 46s and 45s, my aim will be hitting a flat 45s per
lap consistently. wink.gif

With the figures, which I hope I calculated correctly, I think I know now
how to achieved my objective..

Just drive faster lor! tongue.gif tongue.gif

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Rise and Rise Again

30 May

This is a quick write on the race last week in Plentong,
my 'play ground'

I had fun once again, and am delighted with the jostling
with some of the guys on track.

But I was really knackered in Heat 2, and was really doing
the best not to pit in with some cramps starting in my abdomen.
Thankfully, I was managed finished in 5th in Heat 2.

Video from Mark @ FB

The race 'preparation' was, of course, not the best.
After the Nescafe race at KartRight, I was away in Hong Kong
for a week for work. To make matters worse, the first day in HK
I was ill with 'something'. Maybe I was just too tired.
That put me in bed for the entire day, and the rest of the day
with no activities but work, sleep, and eat!

And then, there I was in Plentong on the Sunday to race.

Truth to be told, I had to be there.
I missed my own kart!!

Although I was very grateful for the chance to use the Gillard in
the round of Singapore National race, I just could not have the
feel I have with my own kart.

Guess what, sitting into my own kart again that day, felt somewhat
strange. It was different. It was like my body mould itself to fit into
the other seat on the Gillard seat. But it was a good different.

It was good because I managed to qualified fourth or joint fourth
with Rory with the same time of 46.08! Imagine that...
Coin tossed, I won and I chose to have start 5th instead of 4th.
Taking the 5 points for 4th place. I was not thinking about the
points at all then, I wanted to start 5th which cover the inside line
for the 1st corner.
However the points did help later on....

In Heat 1, Leo was hit with problem with his engine again.
KP too was unable to start with the rest with the pack, when his
carb flooded in the slow down.

And Rory just blasted off to took the lead once the green flag
dropped. He did some good job in staying there for a lap or so, but
Ang was just too quick. Ang was doing 44something that day.
It is a almost breeze for him at the front once he got past Rory.

Gary and me then was behind Rory. Gary got past soon enough.
For me, I was probably just waiting. As I had to remember that
we were on equally footing in terms of lap times from the qualifying.
The moments came when he was constantly making some mistakes
at the downhill hairpin among other places. I was gaining on him fast.
Had to get past him soon before I lost ground myself or lose a place
to Tony.

I picked the spot to gather the pace after the start finish line and
took 3rd at the straight. And defended like a mad man after that.
Again, much as I like to just speed away, our speed was very very
close. Rory and I even had the exact same time in Heat 1!
Towards the end of the Heat 1, Rory was pushing to overtake me
again and I defended with all I have. One of the last laps, I brake
very late in the last hairpin before the start finish. He did likewise,
and had a little moment.. when his kart stall could not start. Tony
took his place. Then I was going in too hot in the hairpin after and
screech my tyres like a lunatic... Pure Fun!

Heat 2 as I mentioned was a case of trying to finish where I start.
It was tough. Leo with his kart fixed, and Rory coming up strong
I just had to concede to end with 5th place in that heat.
I was truly wore. But the times the few of us was doing is about
~45.6s
It was really fun and fast.

Basically, all this means we will have some good fun in the remaining
race. As long as, we respect other drivers, and be disciplined on the
track. I say this because in due times when everyone is on a competitive
times and only a little means a lot we will see some sparks on the track.

I hope it will be just sparks... and not flame throwing.

Somehow, I will be sure the kampong race had no need for that.

cheers

Monday, May 24, 2010

Last, but not least

27 May

Some had asked me why do I joined the race for the Round 2
Nescafe National Karting Championship.
Let me answer that it is mainly for the fun or it, and I do want to
experience the sanctioned race.
I had been racing Permas or Plentong for some 4 years now, and
I think I want to expose myself to some new challenges to keep myself
learning something new.

RMC in Malaysia is actually a better venue to improve because the
engine is standardise, and to me it means everyone should be examining
themselves in terms of skill, techniques and settings.

For Nescafe championship it is quite interesting to see so many engines
running together, the feel is close to what I experienced in Plentong.
But a harsher ride!

Basically I was not familiar with the track. I had only been on this
track for only ONE meaningful night.
So to be at the last to cross the finishing line is not a surprise.
What to me is a surprise is how much struggle in terms of physical
strain I had. The neck, shoulder and forearm were all aching
by the end of Saturday.

Although I feel I had a better drive in second Heat in the late
afternoon of Saturday, I was still, well, last!

But it was overall a good experience.

Sunday, was no different. The only thing was that I was really
feeling the effects of the previous day.
During the warm laps, I could already sensed today will be the day
that I will break myself into pieces!

And as all self proclaimed prophecy, the 18 laps Pre Final feels
like forever! I was one lap down at the checkered flag.
I was finished. Due to an incident at the start of the Pre Final
in my group, I was able to make it to the finals.
And that would means another 24 laps.
I just can't see myself doing it...
Perhaps I should try, but thinking of a early flight to HK the very
next morning for work and my right shoulder screaming "PAIN"

I elected to 'DNS'

Will I try again to race in this series?
I might, but seriously, for anyone who is interested to do
decently at this race one will have to really set up the kart nicely
and practice & practice there.

And anyone who think this small track is just small with
no challenge, please get on the track and try it.
Maybe I am a weak driver, but the track layout does test the
drivers to their limits with very little breathing room.

Hence... I will still very much prefer my playground in JB.
The driving pleasure there is still to my liking.

Pics by Mark Lange. click to enlarge.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Some pics

23 May

Is it not been some time since I wrote something here?
Yes it is!!

Had tried my hands at Kartright In the Nsscafe National
last weekend... And it's just brutal to do a race without any or
much practice. Anyway, I had some fun there.
It is very much different from racing in a club race in Plentong.

I will write more about it soon enough.

Now, I'm tired. Just returned from a race in Plentong.
Had some good fun there.
The spirit there is just great. Most of us respect and treat each
other as friends which makes the 'torturous' racing fun.

For now... let me get post pics during the race at Kartright
last weekend.

Uncle Yee, Sunburst, fixing something on the Gillard kart
which I drove in.

While Uncle Yee made some more adjustment on the kart,
Andrew Tang's dad kept a close eye on his son kart.

See the empty slot on the grid? Supposed to be me there.
But elect to call it a day as my shoulder just ache from the day
before.. Disappointed? Slightly, but I'm sure I had some good
memories from this.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Licence to RACE!!

2 May

Finally had my National Competition for karting done.



Now, it's time to work out which race I can race in.
Working out in terms of time, and very importantly, $$$ !

The last I calculated the cost of entering RMC is about S$4000
Yes, it is very very steep to just have some very serious fun and
to improve along the way.

So I must ponder real hard.... as to what to prioritize...
dilemma!