It had been that long

24 Oct

For the past races, August, September and the October ones, I had not been performing well at all. Beside August race, which I was obviously very tired out from my Taiwan holiday trip The other 2 races was just not good enough. What was really really awful was the October race when I thought I had good chances of some good result with a rebuilt engine, but ended nowhere near what I may be able to achieve.

First, the silly blunder of not getting the front wheels secured properly. That basically cost me and I started dead last.

Heat 1, The race was racing with Tony and Alan Smith. It was fun as I lost out initially to both of them, but managed to sneaked in front of them and stayed there until the chequered flag. It was really fun as all the three of us thoroughly enjoyed the close race actions.

However, I knew immediately something was not right. I was being bogged down at all exits. I only could use my kart positioning to defend my position.

I managed to do this successfully but this was not the case in Heat 2.

As the starting position depicts the three of us will have the same battle on the track again for sure. This time round, Tony promptly overtook me along with Alan at the earlier stages. I only managed to followed them and passed Alan at the last couple of laps. Obviously it was not as fun as Heat 1.


With all these problems on the track, I just had to find out what the problem(s) is as I do not think I could drive well and then dropped back to what I am.

Then it dawn upon me that the fuel pump could be the issue.
I rebuilt the pump, changed the pulse line and the engine seems to have it's life once again!!!

I am just awaiting for the next race to see what all these improvements will means in a race.

Can't wait also, as it will be the final race of the year, and the three guys fighting for the title will have to put out all they have!

6 Nov. Soon!
Below is the diagram I managed to discover on the correct order to rebuilt the Mikuni Fuel Pump which found on all Rotax Max engine.

Aftermath

14 Sept


Last race, I had realised after the race that I had not set my front right stub axle proper. It will move side to side and it could be something that explained my rather lacklustre lap times.

Another things that I had to do was to replace were three rear axle bearings.
More cost.

It does seems that the kart is falling apart. But looking back, the chassis had already served me very well for 2 years now. It's time for some renewal.
Having said that it could be even better if I could have a new chassis, for sure!

With a few components on the chassis, I did just ok for the qualifying. Ok read tail-back.
It was really frustrating as I could not figure out what was really lacking other than that the engine could be pulling not as much horses from the rest on the grid.

Heat 1 was somewhat eventful because I did not have a clean start from the outside of the track. After the 1st turn I was second.... from the last! darn it! Then coming to Monza, I was hit from behind by Miyamoto. Nothing really happened there except for a gentle bump for me. But for him, he spun out and hit the wall. Gees....  After that, I set out to chase the front guys it was really tough. But it was fun at the same time. The most crazy move was when I slipstreamed Graeme after Turn 1, got side by side to him, and we were then in this position even for the turn for the downhill section.
It was some insane but darn cool driving for the both of us!
I made it stick when I hopped a bit in my kart and got through to the chink leading to the Black Hole.
That was exactly the end of my Heat 1 as the rest of laps try as I may I could not catch up to Alan Smith.


Heat 2. Again, starting on the outside. I was racing with Chang for a couple of laps and he overtook me. Sensing I need to stick close to him I tried very to narrow the gap. Somehow, he pulled bit by bit away. Then, out of the suddenly when heading for the downhill section, he slowed. Not too much, but enough for me to overtook him and I was gone. It was only after the race, I got to know his engine had went off then. After the race was about chasing Graeme and Alan. Graeme got past me, and I guess he will have a very wide grin on his face in his helmet for what I had done in Heat 1. From what I am, I saw Graeme closing in on Alan rather quickly. Then they got to race very aggressively, but fair enough with only some light touches.

With them racing in that fashion, it allowed me to close in on them. When eventually, Graeme got the upper hand and past Alan it was my turn to close up to Alan.

Only a handful of laps remaining. Really a handful -  about 5 laps. It was a race to 4th place.
I tried my best every other laps and drive as smooth as possible out of the hairpins and throttle hard at the exits. No gap for me to pounce. I stayed as close as possible... hoping..

Last lap. The gap between us was about 1-2 karts length. It seems I had to settle for what it is. Then after Black Hole, I somehow sensed it was not over yet. I pushed a bit more. I was ever closer. I was right at his rear bumper! Last hairpin before the checkered flag.. Alan took a very defensive line on the inside, while I drove through on the racing line and moved half a kart in front of him to finish fourth!

Half a kart length in front from the last corner! That is racing!

Part of me really enjoy the close action and racing, I was disappointed for sure not to do better.
I need to prepare my kart better. Check and double check that all is in good order.
If it is me that is the problem, I guess I have to admit and buck up!

Next race is on 2 Oct. Really have to do better and do myself justice!

Hope there is better news in my next post.
Finger crossed!

cheers!

Not again!!

5 Sept

Not well... not well at all for yesterday race. In fact, I would called it a horrible result according for my own standard. Although I had fun racing with Graeme going side by side through 2 high speed corners and sneaked in front of Alan Smith after the last corner for a 4th place finish in Heat 2, it was an overall pretty underwhelming race for myself.

It was to be said that it was the fact I did pretty well on the other straight high speed races previously, and hence I was going to expect more of thoes.

Did not help when one of the mechanics pointed out to me that my chain was damaged, and rear axle bearings were also not good with free play being noticed when he moved it up and down by hand.

Do not know if all these contributed to lap times being slower by 0.7s or not.

All I know for now, it's that there are much work to be done once again to be really competitive at the sharp end again.


Surely, have to plan for some serious training again.

Will get to more of the race details later.

all for now.
cheers

Back to the back

16 Aug

What a race... to give myself a huge reminder that one should not take the race lightly. Not that I did, but I did not realised it was such big a challenge to race after a week of merry going holidays in Taiwan.

I was practically all the places, almost all the time.

One of the bright spot was I qualified in a decent 5th place with a time of 45.3s. There were 4 who managed to do a sub 45s lap, and one of them was Leo with 44.66s on pole. However, sadly for him, he was found to be underweight by 2kg. The weighing machine is crazy!

For Heat 1, my start was "destroyed" when Mary who was in front of me sort of stop when everyone else started to romp away. I was almost last through the second corner but managed to have some good pace and overtook a couple of karts. Which is good for the fact that I could feel that somehow I was not too coordinated in my driving. Also after the heat, I realised the rear bumper was loose from the chassis which make my turn in very stable.

Anyhow, I was feeling the effect of the strain at about half way through the gruelling 18 laps.

I was... somewhere near the back of the pack and Chang nick in front of my at the final lap.

It does sum up my day.

Heat 2 was a non event. I had to pit in after 10 laps. I could barely hold on to the steering with cramps on my right side arm. My head was veering to the left as I went through Monza. I had never experienced that racing on the same track. This just goes to show how much I was lacking in overall fitness... sigh

Again, a reminder for myself not to take these races lightly. Adequate preparation is always necessary, otherwise it's a waste of money.

The only highlight of the day was that there were some great pics taken by Albert's brother of me.
Thanks!

Back in shape...

28 July 2011

See the tyre marks and the dents on my right pod?
'Evidence' that the silly boy charged from who knows where from behind into me.


Parts I have to replace...
Stub Axle. Oh, not forgetting have to replace the 2 bearing top and bottom of the stub axle. Have to straighten the kingpin bot slightly too.

Steering Column. New, although the previous one was straighten, but I do not want to have any doubt in my mind at all that something wsa not right.

I hope I don't sound extravagant or outlandish.

But this is one of the most important aspect of competitive karting which is eliminate any equipment questionables. This will ensure that when we are down at the track our focus will only be of one aim and goal - To Win.

Simple?

Sort of...

HAHAHA

cheers

Races - motorsports view

14 July

There was 2 races in 2 weeks.

One on 26 June, and another 10 July.

The one in June was a lost opportunity to race more competitively as I was constantly about 0.3-0.5 s off the front two guys who were Selvan and Leo.
For me I qualified third, and finished third in both Heat 1 and 2. Talked about consistency. On the other hand, I did not managed to find any breakthrough either.

It was until a week later when I went to inspect and clean the kart. Gees... There start to have some small rust stains on some parts. Thankfully, there was nothing WD40 cannot cleaned and wiped away! haha

However I had to replace one of the component - the throttle line as it was rusted thoroughly and its movement being restricted. I guess this was one of the crucial 'loss' in time for me as I had already felt some unresponsiveness from the engine, but it's not from the engine. For me, it is highly important to have the engine to accelerate where "exactly" you want it to. That is, where lap times and the skill of the drivers differentiated.

So why does some of the parts have some rust stains? Because in the Heat 2 of the 26 June race, rain once again fell on to the track. Running with all these water from the track, and forgetting to blow dry it after the race which saw me came in third again.

Currently I do really love to see the rain falls on the track, and drive around. During the wet Heat 2, I managed to pull 2 overtaking moves partly due to slightly better tyres and my new found appreciation of driving in the wet.

FAST FORWARD to 10 July race

Young little punk destroyed my race in Heat 1, my Sunday, and damaged my right stub axle, steering column. DARN!! I do not know what to and how to curse him with. However, I will probably propose the an introduction of the Black Flag at the track to dissuade screwed up driver as such. We had seen some came and left for good. Thank goodness.

So I guess it is up to us to have insist that we want a serious and safe race, and not a kampong race.

The Sunday actually did not start off too bad at all as I was behind Selvan in P2 after the qualifying and our pace was just 0.2 apart. I was looking to the race proper.

However in Heat 1 my start was not as perfect and I was somehow tentative. Crazy boy took a wide line and was side by side as we exit.

The race was for 20 laps and I let it slipped. I knew I had enough pace. Of course, on the hindsight now, I should not and will not in the future to purposefully make room to 'let slip'. It was incredibly stupid on my part to think I could overtake easily. What I am saying here is that I will not make room as in the case here, however, I will always adhere to my principle to have room for each other to race.

That is what motorsports all about. Racing fairly with one another, and not to gain position by bumping another competitors out of the picture.

Another pissed off incident is about one backmarker which supposedly caused this mayhem. He was been shown the blue flag but was not making it easy for us to pass him. Then he started to make way only to exit the hairpin into the racing line. It was extremely extremely dumb driving. With his moves, the both of us lost speed, lost position to Leo and Chang.... then I managed to overtook crazy punk... defend my line before KP corner and that where it all ended for me then.

I guess I have the right to be pissed and angry about.

I wanted to hit someone or something but I kept my Zen.

I learnt something from the day itself... and I looked forward to the final 4 races, hell bent to ensure crazy punk will not win the championship.

Seems like I have a new target, after I had fulfilled what I hope to do for 2011.

A pain in the neck

20 June

Collected my first ever 1st!!

Told myself I must to try to get these ones more often.

The day driving was mainly to try some different lines and braking points for the hairpin. I believed the turn in and exit can be much better to have better speed for the straight.

The day went ok and some points are learnt.

However, my neck had been acting up again. I firmly attributed it to the day I clashed into the fun kart while I was on track with KP... darn...

Talking about KP, his clutch broke! It is likely to be because the misfiring of his engine due to a 'old' spark plug which cause the clutch to break. Thankfully there was a replacement parts from Louis and it was duly changed in preparation for the race next week.

My thoughts of the coming race this weekend on 26 June are that I could be struggling if I do not get my neck sorted out, and hence importantly I pray for a wet wet race to minimise the G and save my neck... literally!

cheers!

Oddly Strangely Enough

13 June

Strangely, I still had this feeling inside me which I guess I will concede as 'anger'. Somehow I am still upset that despite getting the tyres right for last race Heat 2 I did not manage to win it. Was I too confident that the others will just trip over themselves? Many did, but it just took two guys to get ahead from me because of wrong setup.

I must learn to be more aware of the environment, and be constantly checking. One must not be relaying on just mechanics. And even after they are kind enough to provide assistances I will now check their work. E.g., a simple error of bolting the airbox back caused the engine to pop at odd times, and that definitely rob me of some bhp during the race.

Irritating (at myself) indeed!!

Very oddly also, if I looked at my past entry in this blog I had always mentioned I would probably skipped the races which are only of the straights, but now I may have to rethink if this should be the case.

My first heat win came from a 'straight' track configuration and and the last race win was from a somewhat configuration too. I do not know for sure what can change as I do recall in general I do not normally do that well in that sort of layout.

Similarly, I had always avoid and dislikes wet driving, and both 'wins' had came from that sort of conditions!

Perhaps something in myself had trigger me to like what I did not like before, and it's now a complete turnaround.

Not complaining, and hope of more good race to come!

cheers!

My First from 2,1,3 !

7 June

Starting Heat 2, Damp condition, 3rd Slot but 1st in my class.

Amazing! Fantastic! Delightful!
Finally, I had done what I hope I set out to do. A 1st place overall. As I mentioned, never in my mind I would thought my 1st place finish will come in a wet Sunday. It is just crazy!

The day started with rain while I was driving to JB, and I thought to myself this is going to be challenging day if the rain followed through to the track.

Arriving at the track, there was no rain but huge overcast at first.

Come before the qualifying, the skies opened up and the track was wet truly and thoroughly.


Qualifying was a little bit tricky for me as the MyChron on the kart was not displaying the lap times properly. Hence, I had no idea how fast I was doing except in some of the laps it shown 49something.

At the end, I was in second behind Selvan by about 0.2 second, and Graeme was about 0.2 behind me. If I recalled correctly, the rest of the field, bar the open class, was a second off from the 3 of us.

This set up the Heat 1 for me.

And the rain continued to pour without any sign of stopping.

The start of Heat 1 was okay for me except that Graeme pulled slightly ahead of me going into the 1st hairpin. Then in the hairpin, he drifted wider and wider, and I took second back promptly. This followed by a long straight. It was crazy driving that stretch as the spray from the few karts in front was really really too much. I had to move away to the side more else I could not see anything. Imagine a someone take a pipe and spray the water into you, and do this while you are driving at full speed. It was simply nuts, but absolutely brilliant at the same time!

Selvan was constantly in front of me. It was sort of a déjà vu because last race I was behind Sin Wie form the start to the checkered flag. This time round I tried to push a little harder bit by bit, but the gap was fluctuating without me being really close enough to challenge at all.

Then he had a moment at the Black Hole, he spun! I tried to approach the concrete hairpin as quick as possible but he recovered and drove off. We were close then but still not close enough! That was with about 5-7 laps to go.
I told myself I had to push to really stand a chance of taking the checkered flag 1st this time, I did. The gap reduced and widen from section to section, and we hold our position rather steadily.
3 more laps, I was thinking where can I take this boy, or where can I find time... then something happened...

I saw him spinning at the Black Hole Sister... I told myself I had to gun it and challenge him now. However, as I approached I saw one of his rear wheels came off! I told myself not to look, and just concentrate as it was still slippery on the track.

With no one really close to me, I thanked my lucky star while I finished Heat 1 in 1st place. I knew during the race I did not have enough pace to get the top place, but this is motorsports. And sometimes luck will smile on you when it is your day. That day, 5 June, it seems was mine.

Heat 2 only started at 2.30pm. The rain had stopped sometime back but there was no sun. To me, the track was still wet for wets rubber. However, the rest of the field had decided to swap to slick. I shared my opinion, and to those who heard did not listened. Only Selvan did. And I am glad he did. Because of his DNF in the earlier heat he was going to start at the back, and to stand any chance of recovering from the earlier disaster is to stay on wets.

If anyone asked me now if there was any doubts if wets were the right tyre choice, I have to be honest to say I had my doubts for sure. Especially so when almost everyone had switched over. I stood firm on my belief and testing experience that I am correct.

Once the green flag dropped for Heat 2, I knew immediately I was correct. While the shifter and the rest was struggling for traction for hairpin I was going through with relatively ease!

But this is where it got a little bit disappointing for me. I did not adjust the kart settings for the damp track, and was still on a full wet setting.

This promptly showed half way through the race when I was overtaken by Graeme and Selvan at the Black Hole. I tried to stay with them but somehow I felt the kart was not ready to do so.

In the end, I had to be pleased with 3rd.

Considering all things put together, I am really happy with a day's work.

However, there are many things I had learnt from the day too. I will sure hope to remember and apply them accordingly.

Now, relax and looking forward to the next race!

CHEERS!

Wet Wet Wet - 1st

5 June


Managed to fulfill one of my aim for this year which is to get a 1st !

It is definitely unbelievable for me to perform well in wet conditions, as it was not too long ago I was somewhat afraid and not ready to go fast on slippery track.

Now, I am delighted when the heaven opens up !

It was absolutely great result for me although it was slightly disappointing not to be more competitive in Heat 2, due to some really silly errors in driving and stupid technical aspects.

Valuable lessons firmly learnt!

For now, will just enjoy my Sunday!

A tale of Times

23 May

The blue beast was locked up last weekend... so was my soul! haha


However, it provide me some time to delve into the lap times from the last race. Before we do so, we must 'ignore' the times set by Mary-ann while she is racing a Rotax Max she had no weights on the kart. Also I had edit/ deleted Lai Wee Sing, Louis and Jordan times as they raced in different engines without any weights regulations to give this timing sheet more perspective, at least for myself la.

Qualifying

As mentioned in my last post, my qualifying lap put me in third and was 0.3s away from the top 2. What was interesting was that Leo's initial time was 45.62 for his 1st run, and when he went for another he shaved off a massive 0.6s!! Looking at these, I wonder if I should do likewise then and try to gain some positions (read Pole). I could have tried, and who knows. So I guess I will for the next one which is next week. It was definitely nice to see that of the 10 125cc runners, 7 did a sub 46s lap for our qualifying. Great stuff, and it only can get better I'm sure.

Heat 1 Times

For Heat 1, we can see that the average lap times for Sin Wei is 45.75, and mine was 45.81. His best time is 45.16s and mine was 45.22 which was faster than my qualifying time and my ever fastest. I definitely should try to do one more set of qualifying. Thankfully I had managed to hold off Leo before his 2nd race tyres was giving up on him after 8 laps. If I did not have the chance to jump him at the start I could be stuck behind him and be open to attack. Note: start is very important. Given the overall average time of 45.81s I am obvious delighted. However, I hope to narrow my lap times variation to 0.3s which means all my laps must be 45.5s calculating from my best lap (45.22s). Another target to aim for!

Heat 2 Times

Clearly, I was able to match the lap times with Sin Wie all the way... only until lap 8. Then I could felt it. The unmistakably feeling... the strain. I just could not eke out more in hope to chase him down for the lead. From an average difference of 0.06 to this average of 0.5s was a significant pace decrease on my part. Further, I lost out a huge chuck of time somehow in the 1st lap alone, which is 0.8s. Double Note: start is very important!

The races to come will be very interesting, and I hope to do similar or even better!

cheers

Round 5, 3rd Race

16 May

It was overall my best result yet in finishing 2nd at the end of Heat 2. I should be delighted but I do not felt so.

I cannot explain or elaborate my feeling, strangely enough.

Starting from the Qualifying, I went about and did about 4-5 proper laps and was slotted to start 3rd place behind Sin Wei (1) and Leo (2) . I was about 0.2 second off these 2 who did 45.06 and 45.08 respectively. Since I was on a 45.37, and thinking to myself if I could do something more to overhaul to be on the pole... the honest answer is 'No'. To drive for another 0.3 seconds faster need really something extra, and that day I felt I did not have it.

On the other hand, I was happy to settle for third which means I will be starting on the inside of the track. Therefore, my aim was to have a good start and see about the race from there.


An almost perfect start I had in Heat 1. I was helped by the front guy getting a clean getaway and I just followed through rapidly and leapfrogged to 2nd. Needless to say, Leo was all behind me. Knowing it, I just have to drive as fast as I know to fend off his challenge, and also to see if I could challenge Sin Wei for the lead. Thankfully, at about half way of the race Leo challenge faded and I could breathe easier.

That leaves me and Sin Wei at the fore. He was almost 1-2 kart in front of me constantly and making no major mistakes for me to attack him proper. All I can do is to keep the pressure on, and have him think about me. Meanwhile, I was half thinking "Man, this is crazy pace! Can I still sustain in Heat 2?" I was feeling the strain of constantly running around the track at 46s flat.
It did not help as I had headache for the week, and taking medicine for my gastric too. But I held on for a second place finish in Heat 1.

The issue of a second place finish is that I will be placed on the outside of the track, and Leo will be on where I started in Heat 1. Interesting!! I need even a better start than previous.


Very luckily, the good start I hope for occurred in Heat 2. Somehow Leo was stuck behind a slow Sin Wei for a split second and I was able to move into the gap and in front of him. After which, it was much like Heat 1. Except for the very fact I was really feeling the strain on my neck. Seeing that the second place finish was safe, and the race was left with about 5 laps to go I did not attack the corners as much to save myself from this punishing race!

All in all, it was a good race with a 22 points haul for overall second behind a young boy who is almost 20 years junior than me.
To me, be it that the fellow is younger or older does not matter because once we go onto the track, this is it.

Perhaps it is "Being second is to be the first of the ones who lose." that what bothers me.

Have to work much harder to be at the forefront! Beside more physical I need to understand the engine more after the rebuilt as it was surely pounding better power delivery. I just need to harness the full potential of it.

old piston, used for 1 year !!

Awaits for the next race!

How I Miss

25 April

There was a race yesterday, and I was unable to a part of it. Was on holiday instead!
But it was a good and short getaway so it was well worth.

These are the result and looks like Leo is getting well with his Max engine now. Before that he was bemoaning somewhat that he was unsure how the engine performs.
Very good to see the top 4 finish in Heat 2 is only covered by less than 4 sec !!!

Qualifying

Heat 1

Heat 2

I do miss the Sunday which I normally get into the track bright and early to avoid the silliness of jam at the causeway.

Two Sunday back while I was driving to have my breakfast in JB, and while I was going in the track I took some pics. Looking at it, this is what some of us will miss beside just the roar of the engine.


Perhaps not... give me the engine roar anytime!
Here I will go again this Sunday !!

Senna

3 April

I had just watched this fantastic movie earlier today.

It was something I think can I can certainly watch again.... and perhaps again and some more.
To be perfectly honest, I had never been a Senna fan.

Had always read and seen how he could be of a maverick when he was at the track. I admired him but that was it.

I was more of a Raikkonen fan. Largely because this fellow is cool and collected at most occasions, and maybe I can identify with it.

Senna, to me personally, come across as slightly volatile, and some of his racing is over the limit which cause quite a few controversies. That was me... before the documentary film.

I don't think I could say much about this splendid production more other than to please watch it.
Trailer below...

Oh, was at the track yesterday. Yes it was unusual for me to be karting on a given saturday. I would generally prefer Sunday. The main reason was that there will be less fun karters. The day went well but it would be even better if I had not come together with a junk fun kart when KP and I was 'dueling'. It was very infuriating. Thankfully, the damage was just to the sidepod.

The nice thing about yesterday was that KP pace was really good. It took something to pass him and he overtook me again. It was fun. Our general pace was constantly sub 46s. At the end of a 10 laps, he was quite exhausted and I was still fresh. Which is why at a race distance, he may suffered and other will sniff at these and got him.

But I believed he will do quite well in the April race.

A Memorable One

23 March

A 10 point, indicating a win, to my name! Finally!!

The Final, 2.30pm:

It was already pouring for about 30-40 minutes. The track was flooded. Streams of water were be seen running across the certain sections of the track. The noise from the rain hitting the metal roofing was deafening.

And I thought to myself, "It is going to be a long 25 laps...! Have to start from the very very back. Wet track, wet race and a wet me at the end of it." I questioned the sanity of racing somewhat.

When the time for everyone to form up on the grid, I drove out gingerly and was Very careful not to overdrive which could result me being all sideways. Warming up the brakes was very important as it was the same for the set of wet tyres.

The initial feel was very good. The braking distance was obviously longer but the kart felt comfortable. I could tell where and how the kart was reacting. This gave me some sense of confidence.

On the grid, seeing everyone in front of me was one thing. The other was who were around me showed I will have a tough one ahead of me. Sin Wei and Leo were right at the back with me. All somewhat fast enough to be at the front but was to stuck at the back for respective reasons. Leo had some engine problems in Heat 1, and Sin Wei was involved in an incident. While I was DQ for about 1.7kg off the minimum weight requirement.

The start of the race was not good at all. The grid was all over the places but the green flag still dropped for the race to start. Being the last one, I just had to do more to catch up, and not get overly eager to get into the race. In the first few laps, there were a couple of incidents.

I could not recall clearly who were involved, the first I recalled was 2 karts were parked on the track at the hairpin after the start finish. Then I recalled Jordon on his SA250 was also sideways on certain part of the track too.

With this incidents happening, I was able to drive them by and just climb up the places.

One of the most interesting piece of racing happening just before the mid race, I think, was when Leo was behind me, and I was chasing Sin Wei who was in pursuit of Alan Smith! A very very exciting prospect.

Being stuck in the middle of the pack, I had to be very careful although we were all very close to each other. I had to judge where to make my move but also keep some distance in event either one went sideways and I would still have the time and space to drive out of it safely. It was easier said than done because the amount of spray from the water made the driving almost impossible. The end of the downhill section was particularly was very tricky with massive amount of spray from the front guys. I told myself, however, to stick very close to them through that section. It was important to do so as the 2-3 laps being behind them I could 'see' that they was not as quick as me through the twisty bits of the main pit area. With that, I know I had to make my move soon on them before I got drowned in my own helmet!

It paid off!! Keeping very close to them through the downhill section and the twisty bits I was able to overtake Sin Wei who outbrake the corner, and went side by side with Alan Smith on the straight! With the better exit I was able to move ahead of him before the downhill. Amazing! I was truly elated!!

Then I recalled ovetaking Selvan and Louis at the first hairpin too after that. I just love that hairpin now!

After that I was really enjoying the drive with the sun slowly creeping over the clouds and shone through. It was nice.

It was then I saw someone in front of me, and the distance was closing lap by lap. I realised it was Graeme, the big guy who loves driving/ racing in wet! He must be leading the 125cc Class then, which meant I was already 2nd. Not bad.

With the target in front, I push just a little harder and closed right behind him.
Again, I employed my strategy of tucking in just behind him on the twisty bit, and viola, overtook him on the hairpin before the straight. I was ahead but I knew he would be coming back at me. Hence I drove somewhat defensively after that, and had to protect my line on the downhill section. He mentioned to me after the race that our karts touched then, but truthfully I did not recalled or felt it then. Too focus?

After that I was in the clear. I guess by then there were still about 5-6 laps to go. Anything could still happened, and I just had to stay focus on the track.

In no time, I saw 1 more lap to go. I turned to see. No one was near me.
One more lap for a proper win with 10 points! Stay focus! 30 plus seconds later, I came in first!
I clinched my fist in delight, it was great!

Through this 'victory' I learnt that anything is possible, and nothing is impossible. Now I want to continue to work at tweaking the kart so that it will go faster and hopefully sometime this year there will be a chance for me to have a maximum point haul on a Sunday race.

Will talk a bit on my Qualifying and Heat 1 in another post.

cheers

One once!

20 March 2010

Today I managed to finally finish 1st ... in one of the heats!!

It was rather memorable because I started at dead last from that race.
Furthermore it was raining! The track was all wet!

I have to start last because I was underweight in Heat 1, about 1.5kg off.
Quite very strange as I weight myself the night before and found that I was still at the same weight.
Anyway that Heat 1, I finished 2nd.

With the DQ of not enough weight, to start last.

Started at 2.30pm, the rain had been pouring for already about 30 mins. It was fairly heavy at times, and we have to resort to shouting while at the main area. The rain hitting the roof was really deafening!

More of the race details to come.

But really glad I overcame my somewhat fear of wet driving, and came in 1st of our category.

Somehow, now, one cannot await for the next race!

cheers!

Smooth as you can be

10 March

Came across this great article about driving smooth and hence driving fast. It is not easy to do so, and it certainly can be achieved.

Beside reading, please try to do so bit by bit on the track. Let's not be hasty about it. The time will come down if we practice enough.

Do read on for now.

cheers!

extract from: www.karting1.co.uk/news/news/terence-dove-on-the-hidden-secret-behind-driving-smooth/

“I try to be as Smooth as possible. When I go into a corner, I turn the wheel enough to get to the Apex, but then I make sure I have the wheel centered in the corner as much as possible.” Davide Fore – Multiple World Karting Champion

Davide Fore sums up the whole philosophy of elite kart driving perfectly there for you. The meaning of life for the advanced kart driver is to adjust the steering angle during cornering as little as possible AND to have the wheel as close to centred the whole time.

Now, it seems fairly obvious that driving smooth is fastest. You’ll hear Martin Brundle complaining about drivers sawing at the wheel too much on F1 coverage, or marvelling at how smooth Jenson Button is. It’s pretty much general knowledge that driving smooth is the way to go, but telling someone how to drive smooth is useless without telling them how to drive smooth!

It’s easy to drive smooth, my gran drives very smooth on the way to Sainsbury’s but she aint fast!!

Anyone can drive smooth and slow, so the act of turning the steering gently and carefully isn’t a problem for any driver when the kart isn’t on the limit. It is when drivers start to push that smoothness goes out the window. There are a few reasons for this:-

* Lack of fitness.
* Drivers feel that to go faster they need to apply more effort to the wheel.
* Smooth accurate steering starts with a smooth and accurate right foot.
* The driver lacks an appreciation of the huge significance of load transfer.

The First Key to Smoothness is Strength and Fitness

When you first try to drive smooth it is hard work. Holding the steering straight in a corner against the will of the kart will drain you, and it is far less effort to flick the kart into a corner and lazily hang the rear out. Yes, sliding the rear around is the lazy way to drive! You heard it here first.

There is some good news however, once you master load transfer and the art of smoothness it suddenly becomes very easy physically, but you won’t get to that stage unless you get fit, and have incredible upper body strength and core muscle strength.

Use Your Will Power and Determination Away from the Track to Get in Shape – Not on the Track When You Drive!

When you get into your kart to drive, you need to have done all the hard work already in training and studying your art. Push ups require hard work and effort, but the actual act of driving takes finesse and care. If you don’t train for driving, but show up at the track with the attitude that you can make extra efforts while you drive to win, then you will likely overdrive and be slow.

Accurate Throttle Control Determines How Smooth Steering can be.

If you struggle to be smooth on the exit of a corner, no matter how much you concentrate on using the wheel carefully, then you should shift focus on to what your right foot is doing. If you are aggressively trying to get onto the throttle early and too quickly before the kart is ready then you will unsettle the kart. Apply the throttle exactly when the kart is ready, rather than hitting the gas and hoping you can control it.

The Tricky Bit for Advanced Drivers – Load Transfer

Car driver coaches get right on my nerves when they spout the following nonsense:-

“Kart drivers come into cars without a clue about load transfer, karts don’t have suspension and therefore hardly any load transfer, and karters just think they can throw a car around and get away with it”

In fact karts are extremely sensitive to load transfer, and are completely dependant on load transfer in order to go around corners at all. The best karters have an accute awareness of load transfer and it is the key to driving a kart with the minimal steering inputs possible.

Quick Explanation of Load Transfer for Karts

When you brake the load transfers to the front of the kart, the weight on the front wheels increases.

When you turn right the load transfers to the outside of the kart, i.e the left wheels (and the opposite side for left handers)

When you accelerate the load transfers to the rear wheels, so the weight increases on the rear tyres.

Key Point for karts

When you turn into a corner at first, the castor and jacking effect starts the process of lifting the inside rear wheel. Once that initial turn in is done and you get into cornering, then load transfer to the outside of the kart takes over the work of lifting the inside rear wheel. This is because the front of your kart is more flexible than the rear and all that load transfer deforms your chassis enough to keep the inside rear tyre off the road enough to allow the kart to turn.

Phew, boring bit done. But that particular characteristic of karts is what allows Davide Fore to straighten the wheel most of the way around corners. Once the kart is loaded to the outside wheels (which means the initial turn in is done and the kart is cornering steadily) then the chassis deforms under that cornering load and can’t help but lift the inside wheel. Just having that inside wheel pressuring the ground less then the outside driven wheel is enough to allow the kart to turn around the corner with very little steering angle.

How to Take Corners Smoothly Step-by-Step

1. Brake a little bit early, and gently releasing braking pressure as you approach the turn in point.
2. Before you turn in properly, introduce the kart to turn in by starting to steer as small a degree as you can manage (almost like taking up the slack in the various steering components).
3. Begin to turn in to the corner, turn the wheel as gradually and slowly as you can, imagine you are gently loading up the chassis with cornering load and that the front of the kart is steadily bending with that load
4. Once you have turned the wheel enough for the kart to make the turn, hold the wheel at the same angle until you pass the apex. The kart is now loaded like a spring, if you adjust the steering now you could overload the spring or release the spring suddenly and destroy your corner!
5. As you pass the apex gently unload the kart by slowly straightening the steering wheel. You are now gently allowing the inside rear wheel to meet the track again and as you do this you will feel the traction increase and you can accelerate away rapidly.

All the time imagine the kart chassis as a spring that you need to load and unload gently. Any sudden opposite lock movements can unload that spring suddenly and ruin the corner. And as you get better and better at this process you will find you use less and less steering, eventually getting to the standard of Fore where you can corner with a straight wheel.

By Terence Dove
EvenFlow Driver Coaching

A Pain in the neck

7 March

Again, I am suffering from acheS today.

Particularly, moving my neck today is really quite a feat to perform.
My shoulders and forearms were somewhat aching but it was bearable.
The neck... is just a pain!

This is the result of me being laid off training since possibly Dec.
3 months of being a lazy bum!!
During these 3 months, I did feel somewhat lousy. It was like I am missing something, missing doing something. Importantly I felt 'Fat' and I was indeed gaining weight.

I knew I had to start doing the basic workouts and the jogging. I knew BUT the inertia to move those lazy arse of mine was just too much to get going again.

Therefore I was glad that Louis had a mini race for the 8 of us yesterday.
His aim was actually to test his Swiss Auto engine kart with the rest of us driving the Rotax Max.
We were ok to do it just for fun. It was a very good training. I needed it to remind myself exactly how fitness is paramount to karting fast and consistently and this will be a good guage.

In the mini race, I had the opportunity to lead from the front because at the start we were all over the places on the track waiting for one another. Assessing the situation, I drove to the front and tried to slowed those who came out earlier. In that way, everyone could joined and formed up for the start.

Louis was the closet competitor to me in that mini race, especially when we will be at a clear disadvantage as SA250 will be pumping out about 35bhp while Rotax Max only has 28.5 bhp. We only have the chance to race him because of his degraded tyres. Even with that, he could overtook me just before the downhill section. The difference of power showed quite clearly.

Personally, when it was half way through the 18 laps I was knackered. I was about to looked at the numbers of laps left. From experience I did not, because I knew once I looked the remaining laps will be a torture. And it was, when I saw 5 more laps to go. It was the longest 5 laps. Not that I was heading the field, and someone was right behind. It was the longest because I am already drained! Finally, the flag was out to shown the race was over with me finishing it at the fore. Not actually a win, because i felt I was just better prepared especially with better tyres while the rest ran with a mixed combination.

What gave me encouragement was that after the 18 laps I had the chance to dice with Khamil. He is using a Tony Kart with Rotax Max but without any weights, which is easily about 12 kg off what my kart is running with. In that about 10 laps, I managed to really stayed with him relatively close. The timing was show 45.6s. Good! Then by about lap 8 my body is gone, my head was going all sideways at every other hairpins. I could hardly see the track straight on!!
I tried for another 2 laps, and with each lap the effect of the head leaning all the way this way and that. It was just too much. I had to call it a day.

It was a good day in all. The mini race forces me to drive the long stint training the stamina, and the drive with Khamil put me into pace of sorts.

Today, although with all the aches, I felt alive. I felt delighted. I felt generally happy. To feel more of the same I will need to start doing my off track activities.
So if someone would like to really kart competitively, ignore the fitness at your own peril.

Re-Booting

28 Feb

This is somewhat long long overdue!

I sincerely apologize if someone out there is awaiting my post from the last race and the 'juicy details'.

Anyway before I go any further, yesterday was my first track visit.
It was almost after a 6 weeks break. It certainly does not help when I put on almost 2kg ++ while I was on a 2 week reservist!
Then after the week of Chinese New Year, I had flu and ran a high fever for 2-3 days.And yesterday, I found out for myself how far off I had dropped off.
Today, I felt I had kart for the first time in my life.
I had ache here, there and everywhere!!

Time to shape up, I must!


The Jan 2011 race

During end Dec 2010, the bunch of us (9, i think) caught up and discuss the race we wanted to have and see. I believed I had posted some details of our discussions here and brought it up to Louis too. After which, the details were input and reflected on the FB and permasgokart website.
http://www.permasgokart.com/date.htm

But in the morning, some were making noises claiming no one had been informed and it was unfair.

Perhaps it was, perhaps they felt the advantage was gone in an instant.

But I do not think I deserved to be told 'No Time La!' curtly when I tried to gather everyone for this briefing.

Then again, I was then somewhat cheesed off by the constant waiting for one another for the briefing. Most times, I would gladly took the role to facilitate the brief because I felt it is important to have everyone align for the race ahead especially newcomers.

But that particular briefing was tough. Firstly we had to dealt the some people, and how should we proceed, one class, same weight, split classes, weight??

Everyone was somewhat looking at me! But we may forgot that I was merely a messenger. I articulate the messages from Louis to some of our expat friends and vice versa. I do not make and surely cannot make decisions!
Louis is the decision maker. Truth to be told, I could have strongly advise him of splitting into 2 classes there and then, but I felt it was not the time yet.

In the end, we went ahead with one race format with everyone in it but with promise that something will change either with minimum weight requirements or engine classes.

It was both a bad and good call.

In the 1st heat, one arse climbed into their kart and joined the race without proper weights in some strange engine. It certainly disrupted some of our races, and cause unhappiness.
For me, I constantly kept a lookout and just let him through without putting up a fight. Why should I stoop to their level and give them the 'privilege' of racing me.
Sod OFF, I say.
In the 2nd heat, it was even worse because instead of having the silliness of one arse we had silliness and stupidity both on the track together! Amazing!!
They wreak havoc in the race, and pushed one young karter off.
Then not long after, I witness divine intervention when one of the arse engine seized and another had problem. Amen.

These was all bad.

The good?
It was through these all of us then saw how it can be dangerous to race with crazy arse who care nothing but to win unfairly, and to mix too many classes of engine in one event. And henceforth, we got rid of the bad, and leave behind the good along with different classes. Yeah!

Some juicy details there, which I sincerely hope there will be less or none of these and just more good racings!

Enough of the Juicys.... and now to my race.

Trying to remember now was that Heat 1 was really exciting.
I did not do myself any favours by qualifying in just 6th.
6th, on the outside is even more tricky for the 1st hairpin with a long run down.
I believed I went through it ok. The main highlight was my tussle with Graeme during the earlier part of the race. He clearly had some advantage with the KF2 engine even with his heavyset body. I would came very close or even overtook him on the hairpin or corners but he would just moved ahead of me on the long straight stretch.
It was nonetheless good racing with much dicings for about 4 laps until he went off slightly at the hairpin. After which I could breathe easily.
Finished fourth from 6th. And weigh in at 165.5 kg! Barely make it!

Heat 2. I developed some cramp in my right forearm! It was definitely a sign that I had little time to workout and little track time after the December 2010 race. I had to concede position to Hong Yang then Louis who was later DQ for not having enough weight! And I finished fourth again it was a easier heat with lesser actions which I am glad of because I knew I could not move as freely as I was doing in the earlier heat.

Another Brand New Start

3 Feb

Hi guys and gals

I here take the opportunity to wish all a Happy Lunar New Year!

My sincere apologies that I had no time yet to post the 1st race
comments of the year that happened on 16 Jan.

Because the very next day I had to don my army uniform and
report for my reservist for 2 weeks.

Stay tuned, as I should have some time soon to give some
earnest, brutal and juicy details of the 1st race in Plentong!

Before I end my post, please check out Jon Lee's (James Lee
son) blog which is http://www.jonleexh.com or check on
his link on the right of this page.

cheers!

The First

9 Jan


The first race of 2011 is next week.

Following last week great sessions, I went to the tack
yesterday hoping for more of the same in preparation of
next week race.

But I was defeated, deflated and drained when I got
back home.
Probably it was the tyres that were pretty worn with all
the sessions I done with it along with the race a month back.

Thinking about it, I do reckon that tyres are best used within
a month or so else it will just go bad like, say, eggs.

The vibration from the front caused my right leg to ache
somewhat now. Quite sure it's the tyres and not the steering
column which I spent some time tweaking it.

Why I was drained is also because my neck was hurting
somewhat when I was negotiating the hairpins around the
track. And for those who had went around Plentong Track,
there was plenty of those.
Thus, I will be very careful in the next days to get it sorted
out otherwise the race will be long and challenging.

Speaking of tyres again, although we all did try to have a
standard tyres so that the race will not be so much about
the black rubber I do think it will be very tough to enforce.

Firstly Louis only bring in Vega, and his stocks are mixed
with the Blues and Greens, and at times there were
insufficient stocks.

Hence I guess I will stick to my choice of MG Yellows.
So far it had prove to be the most consistent and very easy
to set the kart with.

In next week race, I hope I will be competitive again and
smarter.

Let's start the 2011 with a good one!!

And oh, thanks for everyone and whoever is reading.
Some times it's nice to know some of the information put
here is of some use.

cheers

2011 - FIREWORKS!

3 Jan

Since the last race in Dec, I had not been into the track.
Hence I had not been able to show the aftermath of a competitive
race I had then, until I was at the track then yesterday.

Thankfully the damage is just to the plastic.


Although, nothing had been happening for me on track much
has been going off it on the karting front.

Because of the nature of the race in Plentong, which is an Open,
implies that we had an array of engines on the grid.
On the whole, it may not be a bad thing as we can have everyone
racing with one another together.

It became not good at all when the minimum weight cannot
equalized engine performance so that everyone can enjoy the
proceedings.
In the last few races, a lot of us were fed up with some engines
running about 2 seconds clear during Qualifying stint.
It was rather ridiculous. The last time we saw this was from
James and/or Ang who clearly have the driving ability to do so.

Not taking anything away from the drivers mentioned in these
last few races, but it is quite apparent to all that it was the
engine doing all the talking then.

Something had to be done for the minimum weight requirement
for engines, AND check the engines with respect to what the
drivers claimed it is.

On 22 Dec, a good number of us met up to discuss the matter
over some good beer and food.
What we want from the races and how it should be run was
been spelt out. It was a fruitful gatherings


Part of it is here:

Objectives of our racing.

1) Get as many karters as possible. This means try to keep the entry point (kart and engine) as reasonable as possible and also the running costs (parts / tyres etc as reasonable as possible).

2) Safety - to ensure we do not have too big a difference in top speed and too much weight on karts. (30 to 40kph is too big...)

3) Make the racing as close as possible, this means trying to equalise the different engines with weights and standardising on carbs (Swiss Auto and KF1 v KF2).

4) Foster an environment of sharing information and development of the sport within the karters. The more experienced guys to take time out to help the new comers.

To me, this is a giant leap.
This essentially give us the ownership of the race... IF we can
get it across to Louis.

Points sent, and it was unexpectedly well received.
Interesting!
Perhaps, he has a New Year Resolution that state "be nice to my
customers!"

Anyhow, Louis was willing to adjust the weights so that
we will be willing to race, and keep the race competitive
among everyone. Also agreed is to keep the minimum weight
dynamic throughout the year to ensure no one can bring in
some exotic engines and rule the grid by the number of horses
it had in the unit alone!

And the revised minimum weight requirement is now:

Rok, Rotax, Comer, Iame,Vortex, Maxter, Sonik, Biland & KF3(160Kg)

Swissauto35H/P & KF2 (175 Kg),

Swissauto39H/P & KF1 (180Kg),

Shifter & Aixro (200 Kg),

Junior max (150kg),

Rotax DD-2 (170 Kg),

All in all, I would say we had 2 giant leaps!
Credit where credit due, Louis do understand where we
are coming from and is supportive of it.
The idea of a 125cc, 2 Stroke race only did come from him
too during our discussion. But now let's try to race with
everyone until it point the way to split.

The challenge now is to keep the racing healthier and clean
so that it is really about improving and training drivers in
all aspects.

Now, back on track.

When I was driving into the track, I think to myself
"so what is my targets this year?"
Again, it must be to win a race. That's number one and
perhaps a long term goal and hope that Ang or James do
not race as well!

In the short term and pertaining to track practice, I thought
of a challenge for myself.
It is to clock sub 46 seconds every other time I am out there
driving. This is a challenge because I somehow only managed
to clock sub 46 during race and once in practice with new soft
rubber.

The challenge start soon after I clean the carb and adjust the
front strut bar slightly. Then I thought, it not going to happen
today. Too much food and beer over the holiday season without
any workout... I'm just out of shape.

I was wrong!!

The first session out doing about 8 laps I had about 6 laps
in 45.8s. It was insane!

In the second session, the fastest was 45.4s and the other
fastest lap time was also sub 46s (~45.6)! This is really crazy!!
Crazy good.. so good that I'm suffering from it right now
as I am writing this with neck ache!
But, I'm sure not complaining!!

In fact, by the time I did my 3rd session, I could felt the effect.
I was unable to hold my steering for the turn-ins as nicely. I was
somewhat all over the place on the track. At the end, I had
to settle for a low 46s for the laps. Which is in all fairness, not bad
for a bloke who had not broke a sweat since 12 Dec.

Collected the trophy from the last race... and a chance to take
this picture with Russell and Anwar

More happy days ahead in 2011!

And wish everyone a Happy Fruitful 2011 too!