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