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!
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