[driverace]

Guys,

Please have a look-

Event- Corporate Karting Challenge
Date- 24th & 25th March 2012
Type- Go Kart Racing (duh!)

Home - Corporate Karting Challenge

From the home page:

Corporate Karting Challenge is an exclusive racing event for corporates, who wish to display there racing skills and abilities on a professional Platform. This event is organized is association with FMSCI, official Governing body for motor sports in INDIA, which is affiliated to FIA.
This event is open to employees, working professional of an Organization or Company in Bangalore only.

Note:

• No Professional Racing Team is allowed to participate in this event.
• Limited Entries only.
• Entries on "First - Cum - First - Serve" basis.

( ^^ No Professional Racing Team allowed-- So, if you are too good - "stay away" ! haha)

I am in no way connected to the organisers/sponsors.
Just an interested candidate!

Thought many of our bhpians ( if not out on the long weekend - could be there - participation + team-bhp meet combo! )

Register on the site link- and they will call you.

Please note- Registration amt- = Rs 4,500 + taxes (was 10K earlier)

Thanks,

Ace.

[driverace]

All-

Like I said before- I am interested, and I have started my preparation.

What I have with me: ( as on 05/03/2012 )

1. Some knowledge of Racing line/driving - based on hours and hours on NFS (Porsche, Shift - are the one's which would help!) Series. [ doubt- if it really helps though! ]
2. Team-bhp post-induced pointers - wrt racing, safe driving, karting.
3. 15 lap experience of the karts ( same kind of ones that would be provided in the event ) - I know- it is very basic.
4. 30 seconds of track record - personal best
( Track record - Prof. driver- is 24.69 sec - long way to go! )
5. Passion for racing
6. Slim body (63 kgs) with fitness level ~ athletic

My Plan:

I have 3 weeks and 2 weekends to practice and learn some theory about the karting ( competitive manner ).

Week 1
- Learn the circuit!
- Target on handling the kart better
- try to get different lines on the circuit
- practice "recovery" ( spin outs, way too wide, disturbed racing line )
- shave some seconds off the time - I have already!
- Practice.
- Read about Karting
- Focus on fitness ( and excercises focussed on upper body strength )

Week 2
- Get some comfortable lines well formed
- Practice!
- Get close to the best racing line & get personal best track time
- Read and practice overtaking
- Focus on fitness

Week 3
- Study the circuit one final time
- Rework the racing line ( if required )
- Practice more!
- Focus on fitness

Weekend 1 & 2
- Watch the racers on the track - practice more / race.

Started with practice and work of week 1 already.

I have the circuit-sketch and my current line on it.
Corrected my diet + gym routine accordingly ( read some fitness requirements on another karting related forum )
Will post the timings and updates by evening.


Masters/Racers/Seniors,

Please help with suggestions/advice and pointers!

Thanks,

Ace.

[driverace]

Week 1 Updates:

- Learn the circuit! [check]

attached is the circuit layout with my current line on it.

- Target on handling the kart better [check] -

Got some oversteering Karts - and got some understeering ones.
I have personal preference of a "tight" Kart ( as in slightly Understeering by nature )

- try to get different lines on the circuit [check]

Did that- and got a perspective of two lines that made 1 second difference in my timing!

- practice "recovery" ( spin outs, way too wide, disturbed racing line ) [check]

And still doing it

- shave some seconds off the time - I have already! [check]

The Track best record - 24.69 seconds ( some professional karter )
My best ( as on March 5 ) - 30.xx seconds ( way too slow ! - I know )
After 2-3 days of practice and getting a visual of the lines
My best ( as on March 7 ) - 27.81 seconds ( managed to shave 3 seconds off my time- now closer to my personal best - or so - I felt! )

This is when I got my line charted on paper.
Looked at some videos on Karting- and kind of lines they follow.
Some idea on weight shifting.
Some more gyaan-
and back on track

My best ( as on March 9 ) - 26.71 seconds !! ( Now - I feel the heat in units of time - less than a second! )

Still- What I saw- was I slide around the Corner |1| for some reason.
Reason I find - I try to brake - way too late-
hence spinning out in the process or causing sliding- which means I get out of the corner not wide enough
- which meant I was losing time.
So - Studied some more for that-
and now I was ready again:

Hit the track on Sunday Night.

Got personal best track time of 25.39 seconds.

- Practice. [check]
- Read about Karting [check]
- Focus on fitness ( and excercises focussed on upper body strength ) [check]

One thing about fitness- I see, I need now( more than ever ) tremendous upper body strength!
I am not sure how much - but the "G" forces are strong enough to push me so hard- When I get out of the Kart after a 12 lap sprint - I am holding my arms for a couple of minutes!
I do focus on exercising chest-shoulders-biceps/triceps-forearms alternate days at the gym. < ( I guess - that is indeed helping, but, I need to push more!)

Heading into Week 2...

Ace.

[a*ed]

Originally Posted by driverace

Please note- Registration amt- = 10K

Thanks,

Ace.

@Ace - In the Registration Form, the Participation Fees mentioned is 5k. Is this different from the Registration Amount ?

[driverace]

Originally Posted by a*ed

@Ace - In the Registration Form, the Participation Fees mentioned is 5k. Is this different from the Registration Amount ?

I had indeed confirmed that it was 10K ( with the registration person - Mr. Raj Kumar )
It was 10K in the form as well!

Now- I checked after you said its 5K - it does say 5K.
But - need to check.

Are you registering/looking to register?

Ace.

EDIT:

That must be correct!
Damn- the first prize was a Vento- now the "then" second prize -KTM duke is the first prize!
:(

Well- I guess not many people turned up yet.

[driverace]

Week 2 almost half over-

In Corner |1| - I have learnt the corner well. Ace'd the corner many a times. But, the corner is still a challenge sometimes- I guess reason is - it is the corner - where I am carrying in Max-speed on the track just before braking the hardest- and making a 180 to get back to good speed again.

But, I know how to execute it fairly- and I know immediately- whenever I dont do it right ( Its clear- when I dont get flung on the outside while exiting )


I need some major work on Corner |2|
What happens is I am slightly less wide before I go in the chicane - that makes me lose speed/ makes me brake.
Or I tend to go too much wide ( the very next lap - I do the slightly less wide mistake ! ) - which makes me slide before the exit of the chicane - which means I carry less speed which affects the time with a good factor- since - after that chicane I have such a pedal-to-the-floor acceleration section.

Few good things now:

- I can confidently make 25.xx second laps in succession. (where: xx < 60 )
- Good endurance coming in too!
Could put in 18 laps yesterday. (arms hurt!)
I have put in some apps on my phone - will try to see if they can tell me about actually what "G" am I experiencing - and what speeds I am doing.


[ The Track Owner is very friendly now - and so are the track boys!
He tells me - there are Wednesday races - which could be as long as 40 laps!! sheesh! -
THAT would be awesome!]

Ace.

[y-axis]

Originally Posted by driverace

Guys,

Please have a look-

Event- Corporate Karting Challenge
Date- 24th & 25th March 2012
Type- Go Kart Racing (duh!)

Home - Corporate Karting Challenge

From the home page:



( ^^ No Professional Racing Team allowed-- So, if you are too good - "stay away" ! haha)

I am in no way connected to the organisers/sponsors.
Just an interested candidate!

Thought many of our bhpians ( if not out on the long weekend - could be there - participation + team-bhp meet combo! )

Register on the site link- and they will call you.

Please note- Registration amt- = 10K

Thanks,

Ace.

Hey guys,
It's not 10k, 4,500 + taxes, The first Prize is KTM Duke!!!!!! You need to Fill the Reg Form and send them DD or cheque or cash or call them They will collect it!
I'm already registered guys!!!!!!!!!!!

[driverace]

Originally Posted by y-axis

Hey guys,
It's not 10k, 4,500 + taxes, The first Prize is KTM Duke!!!!!! You need to Fill the Reg Form and send them DD or cheque or cash or call them They will collect it!
I'm already registered guys!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations! And you look like a winner ( considering you checked what's your winning already!)
You seem to be one of the 'very' few interested folks!

How are you practicing?
Your Gear?
Prior Experience?

Turn up some evening - we can practice together then.
Any day after 7:30 pm - I am up for it.

I have put up my work/study on the track here. Would like to hear another perspective on that.


Ace.

[driverace]

Disclaimer- I am not sure if this long post is warranted! But- I simply could not stop!

The Rain Practice.

Straight up -- I may not be qualified enough a writer to express what I experienced today!
( but, anyway- that wont mean- I am going to stop talking!)

Today Evening- I got out of the Cubicle ready to practice on the track!
( Evening 7 pm )
Me and my buddy from work ( I roped him in as well - to come to practice and participate in the event ) - were thinking of putting together some good laps and a race at the end.

Out we come - and - WET it is!

It was raining very lightly and the ground was damp and soon - our enthusiasm was dampened when the raindrops per inch figure started to go double digit
( in short - Baarish badhne lagi!- aur humare enthu ki lag gayi! ).

My buddy told me, " got some work - should we skip practice today? "
" Last time when we were going for karting, and it rained- and karting was cancelled then.. "

Well, if the track is closed @#$# , we really can't do anything!
I mean, I am quite friendly with the owner and Track boys and all - but just that!
Not like
- I go there tell them - open the track - and they would open it up for me!


So- we think practically, and call off the practice.

I start my Fz - and begin riding home.

While riding- My mind sometimes becomes a multiplex!

So many different things are running on different screens.. (lol)
On screen 1 - I see Alan Prost Vs Aryton Senna
( which I remember everytime it rains and every time I have droplets on my Helmet visor! << True Story!)
On screen 2 - I see My practice with Go Kart for past 2 weeks ( almost )..
and how I need to improve and all !

[ PLEASE note - I dont mean to imply that Screen 1 and Screen 2 screenings are related! ]

On screen 3 - I see that a best driver - should be able to race in all conditions!

Now- though - I can see how Screen 3 tells me to look at Screen 2 and observe - that I haven't at all driven in wet conditions!
( and looking at Screen 1 simply gives my inspiration like "Rocky" gives me for workout! )

SO - that's it !!
I decide I have to go for practice today
- can't quit from my side - just cause it rained! ( Pfff- that would be so sad! )
If the Track itself is closed
- let me very well go there - and just walk on the track! but - I gotta be there.

I reach the track thinking about driving in wet conditions
- and that - traction might be 'slightly' lesser than expected - So let me prepare for it.
I go straight to pits - ( from where we start driving )

Guy - Track is closed, Sir!
Me - Come on - Karts run in rain - right? ( and by then rain had almost stopped!)
Guy - *calls the guy sitting at counter* The billing/Card has been closed sir!
Me - Oh come on - I can pay in cash!
Guy - But the track is too wet - your clothes will all get messed up!
Me - *stupid grin on face* that's A ok !
Guy - would you want the timing.?
Me - Well - If its there - that would be nice!, but again if there is a problem with the electronics - that's ok!
Guy - no problem- We have time. You sure?
Me - *Stupid grin again* Yeah!

Cut Scenes
- I look at the track - its wet
- I change into my Gym clothes
-and get ready to put some laps on track!

-Me in Kart-

Francis comes over
( Francis is an ultimate racer/track boy - who has helped me through my practice and identifying my mistakes ! )
- and tells me -
" The track is WET! - Be very careful for first 2 laps!! The Kart will Spin out and be very tough to control. Do not press full accelerator.. "

Standard instructions - I thought - except " the track is WET " !!

I was bearing in mind that WET means less traction and grip.
OK . I was ready for that! ( I thought ).

I said " Ok, Francis- Slow 2 laps - and then as much as I can go "

He pulls the cord and brings the 2 stroker to life! Ratttratttratttartt!
I accelerate just a little and the Kart begins to move and slide a little.
I give it some correction promptly and off I go.
As soon as I pass a small puddle- I get water sprayed like a shower!
I close the visor of my Helmet and it is covered with droplets in seconds!

(from Map )
Pits - to straight after the Start line
- I brake with a blip - and I immediately see the Wheels have locked
- and I see the track like I have never seen before!!!
The kart did a 270 degree spin!
I never ever thought that /less traction/ could mean this less!
Its like I was simply skidding through!!!

I understood the mistake quick enough - Stomping on the brakes - was a strick NO NO now!

Fortunately- I had room to turn it and take it the next turn!

Now I was so cautious with throttle also!
I reach the Corner 2 now- and I try to go into it at lower speed - just with the same line as before..

What do I see?
I turn the steering as much as I possibly can ( without pulling it out of place! )
and the tires I see are turned
- and still My damn Kart is going "STRAIGHT!"

I am like ! What the Frog!

Fun Fact - the Rear tires lose traction - SO DO the front tires!!

Its good - I wasnt running really wide - other wise I would have crashed BAD!

I better get it in my system- that tires will NOT hold the ground!

Now- in Corner 2.

while making the exit I see
- I push on throttle a bit aggressively - and My rear wants to slide out!
( I mean -the Kart rear )

HEy HEY HEY!
Now- wait a minute
- Yeh sab to kahi dekha dekha sa lag raha hai!
( I feel I have seen this somewhere before! )

D-R-I-F-T!

Tires Grip - all the way to minimum
Traction Control- off
Counter-steering
Over-speed drift
Throttle Control
Brake drift
Drift through corners
Carry drift through corners!

<ala Matrix>
I can drift now!

I remember all the countless hours spent on the PC - NFS Carbon + Shift + UG2
( not playing the game itself but ) playing Drift races to complete madness !

I got the steering wheel and paddles at home-just to drift to max control - as much as I can!

But THIS! nothing can beat this!! the real thing!

So - I understand a lot more now
- I see I am in a Kart which is very well capable of drifting through corners and the circuit is suddenly so well for drifting too!!

-TIME to go SIDEWAYS-

Out of the Corner 2 and on the long curve with throttle going barely half way in - and release - some more - and release.

I take one more lap to learn safe entry speed- if I want to skid the least!

The braking was fine on Corner 1 and at the Apex
- I hit throttle with urgency - and the rear starts to come out
- I counter steer - automatically!
I steer through the corner outwards
- almost full on throttle and so very beautifully!
- I could hardly believe I could pull off something that cool!

I had done it a million times in game
- this is the first time in my life- I did it - FOR REAL!-

The reason it came so naturally- is I guess
- I only play drift on steering wheel and paddles at home! hardly any actual racing.

Out of Corner 1 - and getting ready for Corner 2

I knew the Steering would not help me steer!
Accelerator and Brake would !!

So - steering set to minimum required
- no result-
and I blip the brake and go high on throttle just after the blip brake.
And Voila! - I am sideways- I counter steer- and control the Kart on the throttle!!

Get in drift line for the Chicane
- and drift through the turn changing the drift in the turn itself - and getting out of the turn
- yes - with a DRIFT!

I could feel it !

I could not help but smile wide like an idiot!

No time - and my 6 laps were over!!

-DAYMN-

I instructed the Trackboys
-I go Again -

and off I was!

This time - I drifted through Corner 1 - satisfactorily.
Just as I exit the corner 1 - I felt like taking a different line into Corner 2.

I start drifting much before and I see I was able to align with Corner much much better now!
I hardly believed it!
My drift carried through the entry of the turn and through the turn and exit of the turn this time!

The big long straight
- though was something - I felt I was running straighter- and slower!

So this time - I felt like drifting through it !!
So - I gathered up more speed
- did double apex- and drifted at speeds even more than before!!

just that- this time- the counter steer was "full" and I was almost 70% throttled into a drift!

I simply cannot pen down the awesome feeling I got at that time!

I was shouting/hooting/yelling/laughing/smiling ( basically giving all the indications - that I had lost it ! )

In another 3 laps
- I spun out a couple of times -trying to push too hard
- or trying something on purpose
- or testing the limit - upto which I 'could' "control" the Kart
- or just trying too hard to keep it from spinning out!

I practiced some recovery also.

I pushed myself to limits in the next 6 laps - "almost" crashed into the wall ( just before the Start Finish line
( due to too much speed- and too much inside before entering the straight )
Instead of crashing- just brushed the tire-barricade!

But- could feel the control most of the time so well
- I was astonished with the feedback I got from the Kart!

I was happy with the track learning today!
Happier than ever - that I could drift- in real life!

Just as I was getting out of the Kart- I heard one track boy say
" 36.something .. " good time in wet!

here comes the best part-

Francis , " You drove really well in wet condition ! around the corners! "

( That was an ultimate compliment! -Francis, a Track boy
- the ace karter amongst the Karters there- complimented me on my wet track driving! )

I thanked him - and asked if he could drive 2 laps?

He was as happy to drive - as I was !

He talked to the manager there- promptly took the helmet- and began his laps!

He drove the track like a pro!!
Crashed into the barriers on first lap -
but other than that - he was faster on the straights and drifting well through the turns as well!

Man- it was a treat to watch too!

He finished his laps in 36.something-less-than-me!

After finishing- he was talking to (junior)track boys
- and I am guessing
- he was telling them- Its really tough to ride in rain-wet conditions!

Well - I couldnt agree more!


Oh- and after that - I did another 6 laps today.

Did altogether 24 laps in wet conditions ( first time ever ) and overall it was an excellent learning!

Loved every bit of it!

I mean- competition is one thing,
but, the process of preparing for it and practicing is itself so enjoyable
- that it gives me true satisfaction when I hit the sack at the end of the day!


Happy as hell,

Ace.

Now Playing - Set Fire to the Rain ~

[binz]

Hey, have been through their site and couldn't find any details on minimum number of participants in a team etc etc. I also looked at the fmsci calendar (as updated on 14th march 2012) and this event is not mentioned there. Are you sure this is a confirmed event?!

Apart from that, congrats on your progress. All the best!

Btw .. all the karts at torq03 are 4-stroke not 2

[driverace]

Originally Posted by binz

Hey, have been through their site and couldn't find any details on minimum number of participants in a team etc etc. I also looked at the fmsci calendar (as updated on 14th march 2012) and this event is not mentioned there. Are you sure this is a confirmed event?!

Apart from that, congrats on your progress. All the best!

Btw .. all the karts at torq03 are 4-stroke not 2

'Minimum' - No idea about that either!
But - the collection guy told me today - they have got about 60 entries till date - and they would stop after 150 or so..
( that much may be definitely required for a 2 day event, I guess )

FMSCI calender doesnt show it!
well- I did not think of looking it up there! (

Any way - to make sure- that this event is "going" to happen for sure?

Thanks for your wishes!

4 stroke karts!
yeah- My bad- they sounded so buzzy- I took them to be 2 strokers!

Thanks,

Ace.

[killjoy]

Driverace, glad to see you enjoyed going sideways, that's what gets most people hooked to rallying.....

[akshay380]

Originally Posted by driverace

The Rain Practice.

Awesome read. This could actually go as a separate thread. I had an awesome time driving in wets few months back. I also found I am good on wet track then in dry compared to others who were present on that day.

Not racing in this event. Got prior commitments but will be their to cheer you guys. All the best.

Oh and thanks to 'Senna' I end up karting every time I watch it. That yellow glow helmet :(

[driverace]

Originally Posted by killjoy

Driverace, glad to see you enjoyed going sideways, that's what gets most people hooked to rallying.....

Yes- I couldn't express it as much as I enjoyed it- believe me!
and - again yes, BIG fan of Rallying!
WRC videos easily complete my weekend ( Starting Friday! )

Originally Posted by akshay380

Awesome read. This could actually go as a separate thread. I had an awesome time driving in wets few months back. I also found I am good on wet track then in dry compared to others who were present on that day.
..
Oh and thanks to 'Senna' I end up karting every time I watch it. That yellow glow helmet :(

Thanks Akshay!
( I thought that was a seriously long post - and without pics- so wasn't sure - how the other side of the screen would understand what I meant to say - but glad it got through!)
Ahh- Yellow-helmet *looks in space*

___

Week 2 and Weekend 2 Update

Week 2 preparation went as planned!

[ Generally my planning, almost in every other place - falls flat
- FLAT ON FACE!
- But, some how- anything to do with trip/wheels/travel - i-dont-know-how- gets checked almost as planned - or better than expected! ]

____

Week 2

- Get some comfortable lines well formed [check]

Well- I am practicing the line- as shown in the sketch in one of the previous prep-post.
I also practice some - disturbances at times - now mostly intentional!
Overall - I have much better feedback of the throttle, and I understand the way the kart is going to behave ( with much better judgment than before )

- Practice! [check]

Been doing that almost all weekdays.
I now can put down 12~16 laps and still come out with good energy levels.
I find drinking about 0.5 liter of water gradually before the lapping- helps me stay comfortable in the race ( personal observation )
I am able to put down consistent 25.xx second laps even with the longer number of laps - now the xx ~ 50

- Get close to the best racing line & get personal best track time [check]

Thrashed my personal best- twice in the running week -
but- not by much - still for the record -
Current personal best - 25.20 seconds

- Read and practice overtaking [check]

Well - I couldn't race against really good drivers - most of the people showing up were new karters.
But - still I did do good part of reading/video watching - and done away with fixation! - almost.
I still went out and tried to put good laps with some drivers - who absolutely were destroying my line - and every other driver was doing it in so different way than the previous guy- It taught me a lot!

I might have looked like a show-off ; but sincerely, I was just trying to be the fastest inspite of the other karters.
I don't know - if I am doing good or not, but I am not bumping into people ! - And to my best knowledge- I am not cutting them off badly either!

- Focus on fitness [check]

Some extra focus on Triceps+Biceps and overall slimming diet is working good for me.
The tiredness and fatigue on body after a good 18 laps - still takes some time to recover. One thing for sure, I am much more in capacity to take it!
Body weight ~ 62.xx kgs.

Special features of the week:

Rain practice- As explained ( bit in too much detail! ) in the previous post - I had a chance to practice fair bit in rain. Wet conditions change so many aspects of the game! I have to be really careful- if the conditions are changing - in the middle of some race or just before the race.
I wish it rains once ( atleast ) this week so- I could practice still more on wet track!

Gear Addition:
Just bought two additional items:
1. Cross Helmet (Inflatable cheek padding)- gives me a good snug~tightish fit.
2. FSport Shoes (Thin Sole types)- light weight+good feedback of throttle/brake.

Don't really know if that's the reason or just Mr.Placebo has some role- but, I see my laptimes have improved by a good margin since I am with these additions!


Race - with track boys!
Now- this deserves a separate post! ( but I am really too tired now - just back from it ).
I raced the "Sunday race" which happens at the Track.
This race - is where the track boys- unwind for the week - They Race!
and believe me - they show some serious times and superb talent when it comes to the track.

They may not be able to explain to you where they oversteer
or whether or not double apex would help
or leaning would help -
BUT hey,
give them a wheel in hand and 4 on the ground
- and they will run it like they know it to the molecular level!

So- It wouldn't be too far fetched to say- I raced in a competitive environment.
But- me (still) being a 'customer' they took it a bit easy on me. ( I think )

Me and a track boy - Albert were duel-racing.

I did a few laps ( felt a few bumps from the back a couple of times ) - and , I came to know of places where I should be faster than I thought!
I adapted to it.

Then- I gave way for him- and now- he was leading.
I followed him for a lap.
Then- I started losing him!
and - then I did a couple of really-tiny mistakes and he took even better lead.

But- I saw his line,
and found- I could run wider/narrower at places - where I was thinking too conservatively!
I understood and made a note of it ( in my head! )

Let me tell you this- he was driving so damn perfect in so many places, I was simply amazed!


So- I finished my first ever 20 lap practice "Race" today!
Oh- and by-the-way, I managed to breach the "25" second mark today!

My best time so far - "24.98 seconds"

Ace.

P.S. Francis' reaction to my 24.98 - *Takes helmet, pulls out the same kart - and takes off on the track..."

[arighna.dutta]

Awsome writeup Driverace. I am a silent visitor to the site yet now and had a plan to put up my first post with an Introduction to the forum, however, after reading your post, I couldn't help it.

To start with, hats off to your passion and dedication. I am also from Bangalore and looking forward to compete in the challenge.

Do let me know your timings to Ezone and may be I can also join you. Do PM me your contact number, then we can plan for today itself :-).

Thanks
-- AD