Right. There were no updates for the pass few months. And I hope to change that.
I was away working in Norway for the last 6 months. And there was no karting at all, nada, zilch. But my kart was loaned out to a friend to race and came back with a blown engine which has already been repaired up to a tune of $1,200. My My My, no karting done, but still paying and paying and paying.
What I have been doing the last 6 months was a lot of reading. Reading up on kart setups. Reading up on the Rotax Max FR125 engine, which IS the engine on my kart. And during the repair, found out it is a year 2007 engine. Reading up on maintenance. Reading up on gear ratios. Etc....etc...
Now that I am back. I hope to apply those that I have read and learnt on my kart. There will be one more trip in August to London, which is smack right on the date of the 7th race of the season. Once I am back, I will have to run the engine in, and hope to prepare it in time for the 8th race in September.
In the meantime, I will think of what I want to acheive before this race, and immediately after that. I know I can drive fast, but I need to be more consistent. And also always learning ways to drive even faster. Priority is still in my driving and racecraft, and I will learn setup along the way.
I hope to improve this blog as well. Looks really stale to me. And I will use it as a record for all my races that I join.
Keep tune.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Tires going to give
Finally I managed to do some karting. But after the last post asking when I am able to kart, I did in fact do 2 sessions including yesterday in Plentong. And 1 more very short session in Yanai Karting in Yamaguchi Japan!
Yanai was memorable as it was a public holiday in Japan on 13th October and it became a sports day with Inoue-san's family! I also test drove a Nissan GTR! Albeit, its a remote control car. Heehee. The kart was using 100cc Yamaha engines, I did not find out what was the exact model, I think SC perhaps. The track from the picture on the website was a little bit technical,
Yanai was memorable as it was a public holiday in Japan on 13th October and it became a sports day with Inoue-san's family! I also test drove a Nissan GTR! Albeit, its a remote control car. Heehee. The kart was using 100cc Yamaha engines, I did not find out what was the exact model, I think SC perhaps. The track from the picture on the website was a little bit technical,
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
When?
When was the last time I karted? Hmmmmm
I think it was June 21st! Thats a LOONNGGG time ago.
I have seen the new track, looks like a fast track. But what the heck, backside itchey. Maybe not this month as well. Most prob early September?
I think it was June 21st! Thats a LOONNGGG time ago.
I have seen the new track, looks like a fast track. But what the heck, backside itchey. Maybe not this month as well. Most prob early September?
Monday, August 4, 2008
Speeding Rocks!
corresponding post from VK
3 Aug 08, 5 more days to the Olympics, I finally visited the new track
at Plentong.
Where the previous track is located just by the side of a main road,
this new track is hidden away.
It's like if you want to get to something good, you have to seek it.
You will have to venture. You will have to drive through about 4Km
of dirt track
And mind you, it took us about 15 mins to complete this dirt track.
There are stones, and humps, and pot holes to deal with.
So do not think you're driving in some stages of WRC Rally... because
if you do, I am quite sure there are no Service Parks at the end of the
'stage' to repair damaged suspensions or radiator been hit by stones.
Upon reaching the track, it's all buzz again! Buzzing with flies!
Because this area was a fruit farm, the flies still lingers on.
There was no one there as yet at about 10.15am.
We were suspecting that if anyone will come in at all!
But before we got started, there was one group of 4-5 persons
who arrived and ready for fun karting.
Then steadily throughout the afternoon, there are groups who
came in and karted. Interestingly, I believed now I am not the only
crazy ones along with my friends!
I did not take any picture of the track itself, as it has been posted
in few forums, and one of those is located at:
http://kartingedge.com/forum/index.php?topic=260.0
The tarmac is smooth. The track wide. So we are ready to go out
once again! Today, the boss had put forth this configuration of the
track for us to try (path is marked with red dots)
The distance of this particular configuration is about 1.1Km.
Once you exit from the pit, it's something of a hairpin which I
marked as Turn 1. If you are not from the pit, Turn 1 is wide 180
degree right turn. At this turn, I will need to carry as much speed
as possible for the long straight.
The straight is slightly upslope, and the speed will built up to its
max about half way or 3/4 way through it. From there, you have
to be ready for Turn 2, a very high speed right hander which is
still uphill.
Here, after my 1st session I had to tweak my rear end as it
fish-tail a bit no matter how I turn delicately. Session 2 was
much better.
Turn 3 come quick and fast. Another fast right hander down slope.
If you have balls of steel, a very good brake and good set up for
Turn 4, right hander hairpin, one can full throttle and brake at
the last possible moment and turn! COOL...! But, last I checked
it was not made of steel!
Anyway, if you brake too late for this corner you will more often
than not find you and your kart in the ditch. Don't believe, ask
Desmond.
After Turn 4, you will gently climb uphill again for Turn 5.
Look at the track layout, and you will see it's something a 300
degree left hander that will bring you back downhill. Here, it will
crucial to find the correct speed and line to take. Which after
trying and looking at over again, it's about 3/4 away from the
most inside line. This is the most challenging section of the whole
track. My neck hurts now
I had never do round about so fast
ever before!
Finishing Turn 5, the section before Turn 6 is quite tricky as
there is a quick Left then Right before the very wide right turn.
Which is Turn 6, I reckon you will have to use all the available
track so that you can carry much speed into the pit section of the
track and the straight before Turn 7.
Turn 7 is deceiving. It seems wide. As a mater of fact, it is. But
because you think it is SO Wide, you tend to bring too much
speed into it forcing you to go too wide. I know, because I'm
guilty and nearly paid for it!
Oh, I did nearly went off as well at a very high speed at Turn 2.
I was already feeling hot and tired when we went for the 3rd
session at 1.30pm.
A blink of my eyes, and I was steering a second too late for the
corner.... Luckily for the wide track I managed to
recover to be on my way back to the pits and called it a day.
The track is fun.
But well, karting is always fun, isn't it?
In a nutshell, this track is hidden because it will be a gem in time
to come when the rubber is laid down from more karts.
Since it's a relatively high speed track, one will get tired more
easily without feeling too much torque from the kart. Fatigue
will come from full concentration and the G force from Istanbul
like Turn 5.
So you think you can go fast.... try this @ Plentong!
3 Aug 08, 5 more days to the Olympics, I finally visited the new track
at Plentong.
Where the previous track is located just by the side of a main road,
this new track is hidden away.
It's like if you want to get to something good, you have to seek it.
You will have to venture. You will have to drive through about 4Km
of dirt track
And mind you, it took us about 15 mins to complete this dirt track.
There are stones, and humps, and pot holes to deal with.
So do not think you're driving in some stages of WRC Rally... because
if you do, I am quite sure there are no Service Parks at the end of the
'stage' to repair damaged suspensions or radiator been hit by stones.
Upon reaching the track, it's all buzz again! Buzzing with flies!
Because this area was a fruit farm, the flies still lingers on.
There was no one there as yet at about 10.15am.
We were suspecting that if anyone will come in at all!
But before we got started, there was one group of 4-5 persons
who arrived and ready for fun karting.
Then steadily throughout the afternoon, there are groups who
came in and karted. Interestingly, I believed now I am not the only
crazy ones along with my friends!
I did not take any picture of the track itself, as it has been posted
in few forums, and one of those is located at:
http://kartingedge.com/forum/index.php?topic=260.0
The tarmac is smooth. The track wide. So we are ready to go out
once again! Today, the boss had put forth this configuration of the
track for us to try (path is marked with red dots)
The distance of this particular configuration is about 1.1Km.
Once you exit from the pit, it's something of a hairpin which I
marked as Turn 1. If you are not from the pit, Turn 1 is wide 180
degree right turn. At this turn, I will need to carry as much speed
as possible for the long straight.
The straight is slightly upslope, and the speed will built up to its
max about half way or 3/4 way through it. From there, you have
to be ready for Turn 2, a very high speed right hander which is
still uphill.
Here, after my 1st session I had to tweak my rear end as it
fish-tail a bit no matter how I turn delicately. Session 2 was
much better.
Turn 3 come quick and fast. Another fast right hander down slope.
If you have balls of steel, a very good brake and good set up for
Turn 4, right hander hairpin, one can full throttle and brake at
the last possible moment and turn! COOL...! But, last I checked
it was not made of steel!
Anyway, if you brake too late for this corner you will more often
than not find you and your kart in the ditch. Don't believe, ask
Desmond.
After Turn 4, you will gently climb uphill again for Turn 5.
Look at the track layout, and you will see it's something a 300
degree left hander that will bring you back downhill. Here, it will
crucial to find the correct speed and line to take. Which after
trying and looking at over again, it's about 3/4 away from the
most inside line. This is the most challenging section of the whole
track. My neck hurts now
I had never do round about so fastever before!
Finishing Turn 5, the section before Turn 6 is quite tricky as
there is a quick Left then Right before the very wide right turn.
Which is Turn 6, I reckon you will have to use all the available
track so that you can carry much speed into the pit section of the
track and the straight before Turn 7.
Turn 7 is deceiving. It seems wide. As a mater of fact, it is. But
because you think it is SO Wide, you tend to bring too much
speed into it forcing you to go too wide. I know, because I'm
guilty and nearly paid for it!
Oh, I did nearly went off as well at a very high speed at Turn 2.
I was already feeling hot and tired when we went for the 3rd
session at 1.30pm.
A blink of my eyes, and I was steering a second too late for the
corner....
Luckily for the wide track I managed torecover to be on my way back to the pits and called it a day.
The track is fun.
But well, karting is always fun, isn't it?In a nutshell, this track is hidden because it will be a gem in time
to come when the rubber is laid down from more karts.
Since it's a relatively high speed track, one will get tired more
easily without feeling too much torque from the kart. Fatigue
will come from full concentration and the G force from Istanbul
like Turn 5.
So you think you can go fast.... try this @ Plentong!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Change(s) is Good
i am quite the opposite from the KP's take on changing the setting
on the kart. of cos there are things which i'm uncomfortable in
changing, e.g. seat position.
basically, once the seat position is right and good, there is no need
to change it as 10mm lower may or may not help in the stability of
the kart. also not to mention, the hassle of moving the kart seat can
be take up quite a lot of work and a lot of time!
however, i will happily change engine jettings based on weather
condition, widen front tyre width setting when the tyres are going
botak, widening the rear tyre width settings if the rears are new.
& vice versa. this changes can help the kart to handle better and
it's simple to deal with.
the power of observation can and is a a powerful tools to be better,
Agreed!
but the advices of others have to be tried and then to determine
whether it is good & suitable for us.
else, we will only see what others are doing. and without trying it
ourselves, we will not know if indeed that's the one change
(read: improvement) that we are looking for.
however, every one has a different take on it. but KP's take is his,
and mine is well, mine. i'm not changing it.
jon
on the kart. of cos there are things which i'm uncomfortable in
changing, e.g. seat position.
basically, once the seat position is right and good, there is no need
to change it as 10mm lower may or may not help in the stability of
the kart. also not to mention, the hassle of moving the kart seat can
be take up quite a lot of work and a lot of time!
however, i will happily change engine jettings based on weather
condition, widen front tyre width setting when the tyres are going
botak, widening the rear tyre width settings if the rears are new.
& vice versa. this changes can help the kart to handle better and
it's simple to deal with.
the power of observation can and is a a powerful tools to be better,
Agreed!
but the advices of others have to be tried and then to determine
whether it is good & suitable for us.
else, we will only see what others are doing. and without trying it
ourselves, we will not know if indeed that's the one change
(read: improvement) that we are looking for.
however, every one has a different take on it. but KP's take is his,
and mine is well, mine. i'm not changing it.
jon
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Zero Visitors
Just checked the site monitoring I have subscribed to. And its reporting a big fat ZERO in the number of visitors here. Cool.
No Karting for me this July. Most probably in end August. And maybe we will have shifted to the new track. But with a new track, there will be even more confusion when it comes to kart setup. Lucky those who have coaches. Here, I have to learn everything practically by myself, just like how I learnt how to skate all by the power of observation and just going out to skate!
At the moment, I still believe the biggest setup that needs to be done is the driver. Once the driver is consistent, then move on to changing the kart itself.
No Karting for me this July. Most probably in end August. And maybe we will have shifted to the new track. But with a new track, there will be even more confusion when it comes to kart setup. Lucky those who have coaches. Here, I have to learn everything practically by myself, just like how I learnt how to skate all by the power of observation and just going out to skate!
At the moment, I still believe the biggest setup that needs to be done is the driver. Once the driver is consistent, then move on to changing the kart itself.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
You should, You should, You should
Seems like there will always be lots of advice on how to setup your kart. Not that I am complaining, any advice that makes you go faster is always welcomed. You should change your jetting? You should change your final gear? You should lower your seat?
I have resisted all and just played with kart tire pressure only. In this respect, I am still a newbie, but in simple terms, you need to have your tires at the correct pressure for it to work at its optimum. For short races, best you start at a higher pressure as the race would be too short for the temperature to rise till it hits the tire's optimum pressure. For long races, best to start at a lower pressure else you will find late on in the race that your tires are losing its grip.
We can see in F1 where those teams that changed from Michelin to BS tires will struggle with managing the new tires. Which is a fact that I am facing. Why? Because here in Singapore / Malaysia, we do not have a constant supply of the same tires. I am using a set of Yokohamas now, and after this, I do not think I will be able to get another set. Most probably, I will have to switch to Mojos, and I hope we can get a steady supply of these.
Also last week, I have set down to create a list of data that I want recorded. Time to get a little bit more professional. In this respect, I would need to be able to measure Pressure, Temperature and Humidity. Any sponsors?
I have resisted all and just played with kart tire pressure only. In this respect, I am still a newbie, but in simple terms, you need to have your tires at the correct pressure for it to work at its optimum. For short races, best you start at a higher pressure as the race would be too short for the temperature to rise till it hits the tire's optimum pressure. For long races, best to start at a lower pressure else you will find late on in the race that your tires are losing its grip.
We can see in F1 where those teams that changed from Michelin to BS tires will struggle with managing the new tires. Which is a fact that I am facing. Why? Because here in Singapore / Malaysia, we do not have a constant supply of the same tires. I am using a set of Yokohamas now, and after this, I do not think I will be able to get another set. Most probably, I will have to switch to Mojos, and I hope we can get a steady supply of these.
Also last week, I have set down to create a list of data that I want recorded. Time to get a little bit more professional. In this respect, I would need to be able to measure Pressure, Temperature and Humidity. Any sponsors?
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