[Mikko Nassi]

Time Trials and heat 1s done today.

Results HERE.

Before anyone else gets to laugh at me I'll laugh at myself. I'm just happy we didn't have TV coverage otherwise I'd probably make it onto the top ten reel of what not to do in a kart race. I started 2nd and a few laps in after taking 1st place on a drying track on slick I under-steered off the track and into the pits clipping the tire wall on the way in. Re-joined in 4th and then got past Farriz and Ryan who were both on wet tyres struggling on the drying track and..... so still managed to finish 2nd, I'm just happy it wasn't the final. Ok now you can laugh.

btw organisation was pretty good today, only 5 minutes between heats so we got through the racing fairly quickly.

[Naza]

So that was why you whizz past the grandstand thru the pit lane with everyone wondering whether this is Mikko's new strategy or something....

Yup. the changeover between heats was quicker but my-kart's is faster....lol!

Hope for better fortune tomorrow with dryer tracks.

[RocK]

Mikko's new strategy or something....

Sounds like Mikko received a drive-turn penalty..

[Mikko Nassi]

heheh... Imran did the accidental pits thing today in the Final, so I'm not the only one.

Scanning results now.

[Mikko Nassi]

Results HERE.

[Mikko Nassi]

wow just did a quick count and it looks like Masedenal Ali is only 3 points behind Farriz Fauzy in the fight for the championship now.

[RocK]

Congrats Mikko.. any stories (500 words min)

[JohnKing6]

The final was an awesome race. the track was still pretty wet and 4 drivers started on rain tyres and the rest, including Mikko, on dryes. At one stage the wet guys were 20 secs or so ahead but by lap 10, the slicks were about the same speed. From lap 15, the slicks were running 2-3 secs faster and Mikko in particular ran down the guys on wets. To show how close a call it was, the tyres results were 1st - slicks, 2nd - wets, 3rd - slicks, 4th - wets, 5th - slicks!

Even in the masters final immediately afterwards, parts of the track were still wet for all the race. The sweep after the mickey mouse was full opposite lock all the way to lap 25. We were all on slicks by that stage of course.

So, great win for Mikko and great fun for the spectators.

[RocK]

1st - slicks, 2nd - wets, 3rd - slicks, 4th - wets, 5th - slicks!

Wow, never seen that before.. Any TV crew coving the race ?

btw wyjki1, thats less then 500 words..

[wanannuar]

Congratulations Mikko on your win today.

I am not sure if race organisation was better.. just because "it was just five minutes in between heats". If that is a measure of good organisation perhaps My-Karters should run the event in future. But to a newbie like me I would have thought that there must necessarily be more to it.

I could recap at least four incidents, which I know or was told to me, which could potentially throws the whole meet into disgrace. I prefer not to make any inference without hearing the other side. Afterall thats the basic rule of natural justice which I was actually hoping to see, at the very least.

Incident No 1: Heat 1 Senior - As what Mikko said he "under-steered of the track and into the pit" before exiting again.... at an unimaginable speed. In the words of Naza above he "whizz past the grandstand" but what amused me was that no penalty whatsoever was imposed for that. All the organisers said, when approached (on the incident and what they intend to do about it) is that they noted it but, other than that, merely brushed it aside without more. When asked further they have the audacity to admit that they have different set of rules for different team and that their race organisation was "sh*t". My guess is you have to be in the right team to win races in Malaysia. Ironically another gentlemen from the organisers came up to apologise saying that the COC's response (I hope I get his position and role correct) was out of line and actually uncalled for.

Incident No 2: registration of a driver was refused on the count of his age which is 1 month short for the particular category he is registering in. The irony of it all is that the particular driver has raced in the same category two years ago which was allowed. The reason then, as I understood, was that another driver (from the "right team"), whom they wished to allow into the particular category, was also short (I was told by a few months) and the indulgence therefore allowed a couple of other drivers in the same position to follow suit. As there is no need for such bending of the rule anymore the door is now shut for that very same driver to do so now.

Incident No. 3 - Inspection and seal on engines. The regulation, as I understood it, states that engines to be used in races must be sealed and before doing so they are, when presented, stripped, checked and eventually sealed. This, to some, have been religiously followed for fear of disqualifications. I understand however in some instances that requirement, to strip and seal, has been relaxed and in justifying that we were told that "the engine will be stripped and check" if the driver wins. Why two sets of rules is totally incomprehensible but perhaps tolerable. I understand, however, a cadet driver broke the seal on his engine (as I was told inadvertently) and was promptly disqualified after finishing the race in a podium position. An appeal for the organisers to strip and inspect the engine (since the seal is broken) was blatantly refused. The organisers also went to the extend of saying that even if the engine were to be stripped and inspected, the position after the DQ remains. The questions that begs an answer is cant the organisers strip and check the engine (as with the engines that has not been checked but sealed) and allow the results to remain if they could not find any evidence of tampering etc.

Incident No 4 - Quality of Race Marshalls - In a number of incidences (from round 1-4 so far) we could see the appalling standard displayed by the race marshalls/stewards. Without going back into history I would like to relate one such incident when kart No 68 in the senior category crashed into the barrier at the turn just into the straight (in the free practice I think), and all the marshalls did, initially, was just to look until the crews shouted for them to attend to the kart and assist it out of the dangerous spot it crashes into.

Another example I could recall is during the start of the pre final for the Senior Category, when the green flag was not raised by the marshalls at turn 1 although the green flag has been raised at the start finish line. A few drivers from the front grid, not seeing any green flag, rightly raised their hands not realising that the race has started and other drivers starting the race. We were fortunate that no untoward incidents happened then. We have been told that these marshalls are paid a meagre sum but please do not use that as an excuse for their incompetencies and endanger the lives of these youngsters.

Lets open this thread for discussion and I stand corrected on these issues and happening. But incidences like these are driving people away from karting so please dont kill the interest of this small pool of drivers this way. If true we need, i believe, some form of positive transformation in this area of motorsport.

[RocK]

he "under-steered of the track and into the pit" before exiting again.... at an unimaginable speed. In the words of Naza above he "whizz past the grandstand" but what amused me was that no penalty whatsoever was imposed for that.

Not taking any sides, but I got a story for this subject.

I was bump/push off the track while leading the race. Lucky for me its toward the pit entry. Still keeping my race speed, I exit the pit still leading the race. After 3-4 laps, I was black flag. I argue I was push in the pit and I'm not at fault. Marshals said I was DQ for speeding in the pits. It was not a CIK race, just a local race. I was like wtf this is not F1..

For the rest of the incidents, Double standard is everyway. Some says its part of the game. All you can do is just build your reputation, so double standard dont come to play..

[Mikko Nassi]

oh man my sleeping-rytyhm is way off whack... waking up at 3am.

I am not sure if race organisation was better.. just because "it was just five minutes in between heats".

Remember that I posted that on Saturday - on Sunday I had a few things I wasn't happy with mainly different things though.

Incident No 1: Heat 1 Senior - As what Mikko said he "under-steered of the track and into the pit" before exiting again.... at an unimaginable speed.

ok...... I could respond with a simple "I broke no regulations so there is nothing to penalize me for" but I'll elaborate:

I could have driven through the pits a LOT faster than I did and I have driven through shit-loads faster during endurance races for example, but thought it better to lift off a bit to not scare everyone shitless. I lost roughly 8 or so seconds through the pits. Remember I was in first place before going off into the pits. Show me where in the regulations the speed limit is stated? - When I came through the pits I knew there was no such thing. After the race I quickly checked that everything was ok and if the lap would be counted back (the timing loop doesn't extend to the pitlane) and was told yes.

I broke no rule so what exactly in your opinion should I be penalized for? The pitlane is part of the race track and if a speed limit hasn't been specifically stated in the regulations there is none. I dropped back from 1st to 4th from a fairly comfortable lead. Had I understeered off the track in the same way on almost any other part of the track I probably would've lost 2 seconds or so rather than 10.

I saw a few drivers have to start from the pits to go on the formation laps... how slow did the drivers leave the pits? Did they go nice and slow? - I doubt it - should they also be penalized in your opinion? Also did you happen to watch the final? Imran did the exact same thing (went off on the last corner and had to come through the pits) except he went through the pits a lot faster than I did - I don't see anything wrong with that and he was smart to go through the pits fast.

I don't have a speed sensor on my logging device but for the entire section before the start/finish line in the pits where there are people in the pits I was under 9,000rpm... which equates to under 60kph with my gearing+tyre circumference if my math is correct. After the start-finish line I accelerated more because there is nothing but clear straight road with no people on it. After the race I felt I probably should've gone through the pits faster... it was stupid to slow down as much as I did.

If you'd like for a speed limit of say 30kph per hour made for future events do make a proposal to the club and see if they'd like to invest in a radar gun... I'll be aware of any such speed limits and will drive accordingly next time I accidentally come into the pits.

Incident No 2: registration of a driver was refused on the count of his age which is 1 month short for the particular category he is registering in.

First you say that drivers should be penalized for breaking non-existent rules and now you say that regulations should be bent. I don't know what driver is in question or what category or any specific details but remember that special dispensation can be given by AAM to drivers if they have shown they're capable... also if they are tightening up previously lax regulations I think that's a good thing.

Incident No. 3 - Inspection and seal on engines. I understand however in some instances that requirement, to strip and seal, has been relaxed and in justifying that we were told that "the engine will be stripped and check" if the driver wins.

The team in question also agreed to strip the engines no matter where they finished. There was also an effort to strip and reseal the engines during lunchtime but I don't know if that happened or not. I don't think you're aware of the full circumstances of the event, but I'll let someone that was involved in making the decision respond if they feel the need.

(about cadet) The organisers also went to the extend of saying that even if the engine were to be stripped and inspected, the position after the DQ remains. The questions that begs an answer is cant the organisers strip and check the engine (as with the engines that has not been checked but sealed) and allow the results to remain if they could not find any evidence of tampering etc.

Again you're asking for regulations to be bent - the purpose for sealing the cadet engines is so that nothing can be done to the engines during the entire meeting, if it was ok to open the engine as one pleased during the meeting there would be no need to seal the engines during scrutineering. The way I see it is that the scrutineers had no choice but to dq. The competitor/team is allowed to lodge a protest to appeal the decision, I'm not aware if they did?

Incident No 4 - Quality of Race Marshalls - In a number of incidences (from round 1-4 so far) we could see the appalling standard displayed by the race marshalls/stewards. Without going back into history I would like to relate one such incident when kart No 68 in the senior category crashed into the barrier at the turn just into the straight (in the free practice I think), and all the marshalls did, initially, was just to look until the crews shouted for them to attend to the kart and assist it out of the dangerous spot it crashes into.

Yup I agree... One big problem with the 68 incident was that the marshall at the beginning of the corner didn't know if he should show the yellow flag or not - he had it out but took it back down as I was approaching the corner.. I was lucky to see the kart on edge of the racing line and not hit it. I don't know how long the kart was there but do remember that the marshalls have to wait for a clear bit of track before jumping out to recover a kart.

Another example I could recall is during the start of the pre final for the Senior Category, when the green flag was not raised by the marshalls at turn 1 although the green flag has been raised at the start finish line. A few drivers from the front grid, not seeing any green flag, rightly raised their hands not realising that the race has started and other drivers starting the race. We were fortunate that no untoward incidents happened then.

I think this is complete no-issue. I can comment because I was on the second row on that start - the lights actually switched off earlier than they have in a few past races and I think only one driver in the front two rows was confused. I have to correct you in that I did see a green flag at turn 1 - I had absolutely no doubt as to if the race was green or not. One of the drivers that was confused said that he saw the lights turn off.

Lets open this thread for discussion and I stand corrected on these issues and happening. But incidences like these are driving people away from karting so please dont kill the interest of this small pool of drivers this way. If true we need, i believe, some form of positive transformation in this area of motorsport.

Yes it's good to hear everyone's views and I agree there is a lot to be improved on.

[Mikko Nassi]

Ah yeas and as requested my story:
The Senior max pre-final was in the wet and I was struggling to keep up because I had crap bottom-end and top-end power for some reason, so even though my overall laptime wasn't too horrible I wasn't able to defend from anyone because they'd just fly past me on corner exits.

.... rebuilt carby and cleaned everything and checked everything I could think of but found nothing wrong... luckily the kart felt a lot better in the Final so something must've clicked.

In the final starting in the wet on slicks I was taking it a bit cautious on the first few laps and of course all 4 guys on wets went flying past everyone during the first few laps... then I started to keep up with the other 2 (or 3) guys that were on slicks ahead of me, and Melvin dropped off with a problem. I was then able to overtake Hairul I think and started to look at my laptimes and realised it was possible to catch the guys on wets if it dried even just a tad more although they were miles ahead. When I started seeing 58sec laptimes I knew it was just a matter of time but I also had Imran right on my tail. As we caught Terence I went around the outside of the last corner but Imran took the opportunity and came alongside on the straight also past Terrence and we went side-by-side through turn 1 and 2 and then I think he spun through the next few corners. I then caught and overtook Wan Dassila but can't remember where. Then it took a few laps to catch Masedenal and I was able to quite easily overtake on the outside of the final corner. I then had a big gap after just a lap or two so I could back off a bit and finish the race taking it easy while looking at what was going on behind me.


John forgot to ask you what happened? It looked like you were the only one that didn't set your fastest lap near the end of the race.. problems or just not hooked up later in the race?


Oh yeah forgot to mention that by the time I remembered to get the veteran/masters final results everything was packed up so don't have those... but from memory top five:

1.James Lee (master)
2.John King (Veteran)
3.Raja Razman (Master)
4.Daizo Koda (Veteran)
5.Ray Kong (Master)

[wanannuar]

you're too quick off your mark for your own good Mikko

Remember that I posted that on Saturday - on Sunday I had a few things I wasn't happy with mainly different things though.

dont you want to share those things with us......? remember we are talking about race organisation here.

Show me where in the regulations the speed limit is stated?

Lets hear what the regulation says another time as that is not what the organisers said. Their initial response was that they knew about it as the lapchart shows and will rectify the results. Thereafter, in what i think must be an afterthought, the organisers said, rightly or wrongly, that "he has been called and let off with a warning". Be it as it may I cannot imagine seeing a driver whizzing past at full speed from one end of the pit lane to the other.....

I saw a few drivers have to start from the pits to go on the formation laps... how slow did the drivers leave the pits? Did they go nice and slow? - I doubt it - should they also be penalized in your opinion?

I was at the pitlane most of those time and I can say, although subjective, that they were not doing as fast. Remember they are starting and pick up speed from midway in the pit lane compare with you or Imran, for that matter, who came with momentum from the entry of the pit lane to the exit.

I don't know what driver is in question or what category or any specific details but remember that special dispensation can be given by AAM to drivers if they have shown they're capable... also if they are tightening up previously lax regulations I think that's a good thing.

On this issue I was made to understand that Adi Haslam was allowed to race in the Veteran category in 2005, although he has not attained the requisite age, as it was relaxed for another driver from another team. My question is why not now........ precedent has been set so any tightening now will be seen negatively.

I don't think you're aware of the full circumstances of the event, but I'll let someone that was involved in making the decision respond if they feel the need.

that is what I said in the first place. Lets hear all sides, especially from those involved in the decision making, as what is going round is what I have related.

Again you're asking for regulations to be bent

The regulation is already bent in a way when one engine is stripped whilst another is not so dont tell me that I am asking for the rules to be bent. Or is it called double standard which, now, I am told happens all the time. I must get used to that then.......

I have to correct you in that I did see a green flag at turn 1 - I had absolutely no doubt as to if the race was green or not. One of the drivers that was confused said that he saw the lights turn off.

I was there too, albeit watching, and I am sure that I didnt see the green flag. Damn need to check my eyesight again but then at least two other drivers also say the same thing........

Yes it's good to hear everyone's views and I agree there is a lot to be improved on.

Yes lets hear what others think about Round 4. We are all there as we are all passionate about karting. I hate to see people come and go out of frustration.

Anyway Mikko you need to tell us, the IT illiterate, how to use the quote thingy. Not sure if I managed to do it.

[JohnKing6]

To answer Mikko's question first about why I didn't set a fast time in the drying conditions at the end of the masters/veterans final. Basically I was cruising - James and I were so far ahead of of next karts in our categories they was no point pushing it and racing each other - we very nearly touched each other on lap 4 and at that point I decided that 2nd on the road was fine.

To comment on the eligibility question. In 2005 the organisers had a weird rule for the veterans class that people close to the right age (or wrong age depending on which way you look at it) could run with us if they carried more weight - 10kgs extra. It was a stupid rule and I and others in the class protested about it. So, the rule now is very clear - if you're 32 on Jan 1st of the year, you can run masters. If you're 45 on 1/1, you can run veterans. A rule of "if you're close to 45 on 1/1" just wouldn't work. In any case, the veterans / masters run together now so it doesn't make much difference.

I thought the organisers did a pretty good job. The gaps between the races were fairly small and although they did stop the junior pre-final when there probably wasn't a need too, at least they did tell the drivers what was going on - so they did listen to our complaints about lack of communication.