Wednesday, October 29, 2008

USJ - the best track south of well, south of USJ

Over the long weekend, the gang and i headed off to the cooler altitudes of Fraser Hills.
That aside, on the way to KL from the hills, we stopped by USJ, otherwise known as the Elite Highway Track.
It has been awhile since we visited the track but it sure didn't disappoint.
Let me give you a breakdown of the track which, incidentally, has to been driven in a 2 stroke kart to really appreciate.

We begin at the straight away in a clockwise manner.

The beginning of the circuit is at the far left, on the track next to the light grey rectangle.

1) Turn one is a hard right. follow the usual slow in, fast out procedure
2) The next is a series of gentle turns. Essentially, you are more or less able to floor your pedal until you reach the loop at the bottom of the map above. This turn is tighter than the first one and considering that you would be travelling at a high speed at this juncture, do take care not to jam on the brake.
3) The next turn is a 90 degree left turn which shouldn't be a problem if you stick to the racing line.
4) Following is a wide left turn, not much problems here too.
5) Same with the next right turn.
6) The next feature is an series of 2 turns, a tighter left turn which leads into a right turn.
This is in my opinion a real opportunity for training yourself. Since the 1st left turn is pretty narrow, you would have to slow down to avoid spining out or understeering. As this leads into a right turn, the problem (at least with me) is one of going into the turn too slow, due to deceleration in the previous turn. This is an excellent place to overtake for those with better control of their vehicle.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

GPS Lap timers

I first heard about GPS lap timers from an engineer friend. The technology isn't rocket science, the service is free..... It doesn't require set up of transponders and like the unit that helps you find your way around, it can map out your track and show you where you are in relation to that map.

That's where the magic of the GPS lap timer comes in. With minimal effort beyond switching it on and pushing some more buttons to set it up, you can get a map of the track and useful information sush as current speed, lap times, RPM, Max speed, fastest speed, and even your deceleration and acceleration point.

That will prove to be a very useful learning tool. Your racing line and approach to a track can gradually be improved upon.

These devices ,however, cost a pretty penny. I decided to look online to see what the alternatives are until i can afford the real Mc coy.

Enter the IPHONE LAP TIMER:
There is a program created by someone that allows any GPS enabled device to act as a GPS lap timer. It even works on your IPHONE.
http://www.schlangmann.mynetcologne.de/HarrysLapTimer/

Sunday, October 19, 2008

ASIAN KARTING - boon for racers and spectators alike in the region

Where does one aspire to arrive at, at their first step to a motor racing career?
Which series can a fan follow that is closer to home?
At the ASIAN KARTING OPEN - CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES, that's where!

The Asian Karting Open Championship Series had its beginnings in April of 2002, after a call from IM, the CIK approved governing body in Indonesia, to AAP in Philippines suggested and discussed the possibility of holding an asian karting series modelled after the European Kart Championships. It was also moved that a prime goal was to elevate the skills of asian karters to a world standard level and develop karting as a sport.

Thus was the 1st championship series initiated with 3 venues hosting regional karters: Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines. A success story, participants flooded in from China, HongKong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Philippines and Brunei.

An average of 80 karters participate at each event, with the strong support of karting teams in the region. AKOC, as the organising body is known has become the premier Karting Series here in Asia, with rounds held in India, Macau, Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia.

There are 6 categories of Karting classes:
1) FORMULA 100 OPEN (FORMULA A)
• 15 years old and above are eligible to join
• International B License is required
• 100 cc Rotary or Reed Valve Engines, approved by CIK
• The premier class and the Highest category for AKOC

2) SENIOR ROTAX MAX 125
• 17 years old and above are eligible to join
• International C license is required
• Rotax Max 125cc Engine
• The best attended category

3) JUNIOR ROTAX MAX 125
• 12 years old up to 17 years old are eligible to join
• International C License is required
• Junior Rotax Max 125cc Engine
• A very popular category among the kids

4) JUNIOR INTERCONTINENTAL A
• 13 years old up to 15 years are eligible to join
• Intercontinental C License is required
• 100cc Piston Port Engine with clutch, appointed by CIK
• Karters from this category step up to Formula 100 open

5) CADET 85• 9 years old up to 13 years old are eligible to join
• Comer K85/W85 engines are used
• The entry level for AKOC karters
• National C-License is required

6) VETERAN ROTAX MAX 125
• 45 years old and above are eligible to join
• International C License is required
• Rotax Max 125 engine
• A popular category for businessman and executives who enjoy karting as a sport

7) MACAU CUP OPEN
• 15 years and above are eligible to join
• National C License is required
• CIK homologated Reed Valve/Rotary valve 100 cc engine.

This year's Schedule is as follows, it's still not too late to watch the action

June 28-29, 2008ROUND 1 - KARTODROMO DE COLOANE, MACAU

July 26-27, 2008ROUND 2 - CARMONA CIRCUIT, PHILIPPINES

August 16-17, 2008ROUND 3 - SENTUL, INDONESIA

October 31- November 2, 2008ROUND 4 - SARABURI, THAILAND

November 28-30, 2008ROUND 5 - KARTODROMO DE COLOANE, MACAU

December 13-14, 2008ROUND 6 - DIAMOND COAST CIRCUIT, HONG KONG

Saturday, October 18, 2008

OSAMA BIN KARTING

Osama Bin (Go) Karting
Found a funny picture online on Flickr.
No offense intended to any who have taken any.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Nevermind the (dog's) bollocks, we're OB Racing

NEVERMIND THE BOLLOCKS

Sunday, bright and early morning, i started the day by driving back home to pack and package everything go karting related that had to be moved to Plentong.

We stripped the front and end bumbers, side skirting, wheels; everything that added to the overall width and length dimensions of the kart.

Everything was then wrapped in plastic out of consideration to the owner of the Subaru Forester that provided the muscle to this logistical undertaking. Be sure to make a note of everything that you stripped. Do list it down on a piece of paper or in an excel table. It serves as a guide to whether things have been lost or simply as a log of items brought to whichever destination you choose. For us, that would be Plentong, at the Permas Karting Circuit.

We thought that wrapping it up would make it less conspicuous but we were to learn later that it alerts the Malaysian customs to the possibility of a windfall. Why? Because, a nicely wrapped kart looks expensive, it also looks new.

We weren;t too much harried by the customs official in Malaysia, after Tuas, because his superior was standing alongside and wasn't the slightest interested in what we were bringing over. After about 15 minutes of nodding and small talk, he let us off. We did, however, get the feeling he wanted something more.
In any case, this is what you have to bring. A self written and signed letter stating that the kart is used for racing purposes only and off public roads. Within the letter, you have to state the vehicle chasis and engine number if any. Also handy to bring are letters of exemption for duties from LTA and all shipping documents. They really only require the letter but more paper work befuddles them and the hope is they'll tire of trying to shake you of any loose change and let you go. We crossed at Tuas, because we heard that it's easier there, in terms of crossing customs, as they're used to goods vehicles and other crossings akin to that.

And like that, our kart has a new home albeit a rented one. But every child that flies the coop starts out with a rental home, right?

Messing around with the rentals

The Real Brothers

The ladies
Money Lim



There were some new interesting banners at Plentong. Looks very good.


woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Zoommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

MALAYSIA IT IS

It has been decided - MALAYSIA PLENTONG here we come.

Recruited a friend and come Sunday, our karts should be in Johore.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Singapore or Malaysia

For those who own a kart, you may be wondering what are the pros and cons of leaving it in Singapore or storing it at Malaysia. I too have been pondering this question with the lack of racing space in Singapore.

We have been hearing about talks of a rack in Tuas and another in Loyang.
Kart World was already decided against due to the small compound.

The track at Tuas is a good track however the only drawback is that it isn't a dedicated Go Karting track and availability is due to a changing schedule posted onto their website.

http://www.singaporecircuit.com/racecalender.html

It no doubt will hold quality, thrilling events for dirt bikes, ATVs, etc...
The rates are pretty good too at $15 / hr for tarmac usage and $30 for dirt.
In any case, that seems to be out too.

The track at Changi is apparently stalled again.
http://www.changiracingsponsors.brandonjapanev.com/

Where else than to look to the north at our neighbours.
Perhaps Plentong is the only track for now.
Checks with LTA show that there is no customs issues on the Singaporean side for taking our karts to Malaysia.
According to Lewis of PermasKarting, 50RM, is the standard fee if motor oil alone can't provide enough lubrication for us to get through.

Hopefully by the next blog, i will be able to tell you exactly how to get your kart to Malaysia.