[Gary80]

We seem to stop races here malaysia when it rains. The races in Macau last week were in unbelieveable conditions as can be seen on the photos posted, and it was very challenging and exciting and the Yokohama tyres worked great in the torrential rain.

So it makes me wonder why we need to waste money on wet tyres here in Malaysia if they keep stopping the races or postponing the meeting, I always thought wet weather tyres were developed so we could race in the wet.

[Geoff Green]

We seem to stop races here malaysia when it rains.

I wouldn't say that Gary - in fact quite the opposite - last year, on a couple of occasions, the conditions for the Juniors in Kuantan and KL for RMC were terrible with standing water over the full track surface - in KL it they were finally red flagged because the level of attrition was about 70%!

At the risk of taking a couple of blows I would agree that traditionally in Malaysia many drivers do not venture out of the pit garage when it is raining.

Personally in conditions of torrential rain I think the stewards should (and do) stop the races at least until the conditions are safe (the rain has eased and the drivers can find a way around the deep standing water). I do agree we should not stop racing just because it rains but there has to be a limit.

Most tracks do not generally drain quickly when we have heavy downpours but that is to be expected. I do think some better effort might be put into preventing standing water at some of the tracks - I recall that there has been a problem with the drains at turn 5 at Sepang for at least 2 years and that was still the same last time we ran in the wet. Elite also has a couple of areas which do not clear for a long time (hint hint chaps!).

[Jules]

Well, I am not sure if the rain intensity in Macau i the same as what we get here in the tropics. Anyhow, the reason why the races are stopped are perhaps we know our rains are mostly thunderstorms as well meaning, it rains dog and cats for a short while then stop or slow down. On top of that I wun dare imagine if someone get zapped while "racing".

It is true that most karters in Malaysia dun race/practise much in rain....its because we are taught ( at least me ) that rain stuffs up your engine very quickly! yes, think of open air pods, engine oil mixed with water and grime and you get the best rubbing compound. However, if I have to race in the rain.....fine but an expensive re-built bill awaits me.

Geoff is rite, our tracks are not properly designed as well and when they are, they suffer from lack of maintenance. Case in point - Sepang, the second left turn of the 2 chicanes ( turn 4 for me ) has a drain point but clogged leaving a 2 inch deep water. Hit that and u understeer across the next fast right!

I think wet tyres are called by the race organisers for safety reasons even if it's drizzling litely as no one ( least the organiser ) wants to risk a major off and be blamed! Anyhow if you think you can drive in these conditions with slicks.....its your call and not against the rules, AFAIK.

Cheers.

[Alex Ritchie]

In the last three years I can recall only one Junior race that was stopped. It was stopped because at least 50% of the field were stranded on the track with flooded engines or had aquaplaned off.

Actually, for a tropical country, we have had remarkably few wet races.

[Jules]

Actually, for a tropical country, we have had remarkably few wet races.

Alex - we have witch doctors you know and they are in demand......

[Gary80]

Maybe my wording was not clear enough but yes very few races have been stopped during the actual race.

What I mean and it has happened many times where the meeting has been cancelled after sitting around for ages because of the rain and we have all gone home and within an hour the rain has stopped the track has drained and we could of raced but instead we have to come back for a re scheduled meeting.

Also there have been times when the organisers could not decide if it was to be a wet race or a dry race and drivers have sat around wanting to go out and race (Sepang) but had to wait for a decision that no one seems to want to make. It seems a very simple decision to me if it is wet or dry, it is then the drivers choice to choose what tyres he wants to use.

[RocK]

we have witch doctors you know and they are in demand......

Thinking of hiring 1 full time for our team. I want all my final race in the wet..

[Alex Ritchie]

Also there have been times when the organisers could not decide if it was to be a wet race or a dry race and drivers have sat around wanting to go out and race (Sepang) but had to wait for a decision that no one seems to want to make. It seems a very simple decision to me if it is wet or dry, it is then the drivers choice to choose what tyres he wants to use.

Yes, I don't understand what the fuss about "dry" or "wet" race is all about. As far as I know the only difference is whether the organisers will stop and re-start the race when it gets wetter.

If it is declared a "dry" race and it starts raining or starts raining more heavily then the organiser can stop the race, allow at least 15 minutes for drivers to change tyres and settings before re-starting.

If it is declared a "wet" race then the race goes on regardless of conditions.

In either case racers get to choose what tyres they want to run, with the proviso that they can be black-flagged if they are driving dangerously.

[JohnKing6]

Yes, I don't understand what the fuss about "dry" or "wet" race is all about. As far as I know the only difference is whether the organisers will stop and re-start the race when it gets wetter.

If it is declared a "dry" race and it starts raining or starts raining more heavily then the organiser can stop the race, allow at least 15 minutes for drivers to change tyres and settings before re-starting.

If it is declared a "wet" race then the race goes on regardless of conditions.

In either case racers get to choose what tyres they want to run, with the proviso that they can be black-flagged if they are driving dangerously.

I asked for clarification about this last year. The rule that seems to be applied here is that if it's a DRY race we can only run slicks. If it's wet, it's the drivers choice.

The odd thing is that in Europe it's the opposite. If the race is declared wet, then you MUST use wet tyres. If it's dry, then you can choose.

I think we do OK most of the time now although there have been times when indecision and lack of communications with the drivers has been frustrated. But, the last couple of wet/dry meetings have been great.

Roc - I'll help fund your witch doctor, I love the wet as well On practice days, I'm always out on the track if it gets wet - it's just so much fun. And my slight weight disadvantage disappears 1st drop of rain as well....

[Mikko Nassi]

I asked for clarification about this last year. The rule that seems to be applied here is that if it's a DRY race we can only run slicks. If it's wet, it's the drivers choice.

The odd thing is that in Europe it's the opposite. If the race is declared wet, then you MUST use wet tyres. If it's dry, then you can choose.

Here's a passage from a set of CIK-FIA regulations:

. In the case of a « wet race » (conditions signalled by
means of a panel by the Race Direction or the Race Direc-
tor), the choice of tyres will be left to the appreciation
of the Drivers, the Race Director or Clerk of the Course
reserving the right to use the black flag if he deems that a
Driver’s kart is fitted with the wrong set of tyres and that
the Driver is too slow and dangerous for other Drivers.

That's how it is run in Malaysia as well .

[Ryan104]

If there is a puddle, drive around it, it helps.

if the track is not flooded, race, dont wait for more rain to come.( a puddle is not a flood)
dont waste 20 minutes of hesitation to make a decision when the rain has stopped... it can only rain again (rd 3 2007)

[Alex Ritchie]

Here's a passage from a set of CIK-FIA regulations:

. In the case of a « wet race » (conditions signalled by
means of a panel by the Race Direction or the Race Direc-
tor), the choice of tyres will be left to the appreciation
of the Drivers, the Race Director or Clerk of the Course
reserving the right to use the black flag if he deems that a
Driver’s kart is fitted with the wrong set of tyres and that
the Driver is too slow and dangerous for other Drivers.

That's how it is run in Malaysia as well .[/quote]

No, it is not. Last year in Sepang it was declared a wet race but we could not use slicks.

In Malaysia the oral ASR over-rules everything - the Club can change the rules before, during or after the race. Please read the ASRs for each round.

From the Round 3 ASR:
Held under the National Competition Rules of AAM, incorporating the International Karting Regulations of the CIK/FIA and these Supplementary Regulations and any Additional Supplementary Regulations issued by the Organiser whether written or oral shall have the same force as these regulations subject to the provisions of NCR 68.


The interesting thing is that there is no such clause as "NCR 68" in the National Competition Rules of the AAM....

[Mikko Nassi]

I remember winning a race last year on slicks after the race was declared wet. 3rd and 5th place finishers were also on slicks.

Maybe the rules are different from heat to heat .

[James Leong]

Alex, just wanted to clarify the issue of NCR68. NCR is our own National Competition Rules that is issued by AAM. 68 was the clause in which your statement stated. However, over the last two years, the competition committee in AAM revised the NCR with an updated version but unfortunately, clause 68 was somewhat missing and it was a new clause. I apologise for this oversight and would ensure that the correct clause be given.

James Leong

[Alex Ritchie]

Alex, just wanted to clarify the issue of NCR68. NCR is our own National Competition Rules that is issued by AAM. 68 was the clause in which your statement stated. However, over the last two years, the competition committee in AAM revised the NCR with an updated version but unfortunately, clause 68 was somewhat missing and it was a new clause. I apologise for this oversight and would ensure that the correct clause be given.

James Leong

Hmmm, this is getting even more interesting. The rule was revised two years ago but it was not incorporated in the current edition of the National Competition Rules - my copy was given to me by Mr. Nanthan of AAM Motorsports in February 2008.

By the way, the NCR clauses always start with a letter, that's how I know "NCR 68" does not exist. It could be NCR A.6.8 or B.6.8 etc, but all those clauses do not exist either.