[james lee]

Anyone can make confirmation of the race ;
1) 9th Nov 2008?
2) Elite?

Thanks

[Jules]

James, the answer is :

1) Yes, 9th.
2) Sepang

and tyres....its mystery but many told me its back to MRF now. ( unless u have new mojo lying somewhere around )

[Jules]

An explanation to my above mail :

I used the word "Mystery" cos in interest of equal competition and most of all, SAFETY - I cannot comprehend why this 2 tyre rule is allowed. ( the choices have a wide grip difference levels )

Yes, the SR is clear but no, that dun mean it satisfies the above 2 points. Well, before anyone suggest I contact the club rather than write in this forum, I did and the response was in that mass mail KKS members received just last Friday afternoon, which clearly says....there is no need to ask for clarifications as the posted SR is clear and valid.

Again, I am not trying to stir anyone or anything. I am just trying to get some form of logic/justification in the rules we are asked to follow as a competitor. Take it as free feedback, if you may.

Safe racing, those joining.

[Mikko Nassi]

Everyone is looking for the best condition used Mojo tyres they can find, because there are no new ones available in at the moment.

[Alex Ritchie]

Should be a fun race then...winning will depend on who's used Mojos are going to wear off first!

[Jules]

Alex & Mikko......

Actually the 125 Open class race has already started now.....as the drivers ( or nominated people ) are already racing around looking, begging, trading for any mojo tyres, in any condition! ( pssst...i have one set - only done 105 laps! PM me with ur offer! )

For those who are not so well connected, resourceful or have time to start this race now.....they come this weekend, use MRFs obediently cos there are no Mojos for sale... then try to avoid any rear end collisions, avoid being a mobile chicane, pray they have fun in between and dun leave the sport in when the chequered flag falls.

Please be reminded that this is all within the stated KKS rules rightfully - so we should not be commenting anything about the tyres anymore. PERIOD.

I am passionate about my sports and it a sports to me only.....so sorry. ( my son should not follow his silly dad into this )

Once again - SAFE RACING to all my friends on track. ( and those running about now too LOL )

[Alex Ritchie]

Jules,

Please look at the bright side. This is actually an equalisation formula - those with used Mojos will go slower and slower as the day progresses. Some may even end up racing with canvass during the final. Meanwhile the MRF tyres will prove to be consistently slow during the whole day. The last few laps should prove to be extremely interesting...

[James Leong]

Dear Jules and all others,

I read with interest on your comments about the club and the tyre rules as well as the non-availability of the mojo tyres. KKS, when they put together the championship was to give the drivers some racing during this off period as well as some work for the mechanics.If not otherwise they will disappear as there would be no income for them. I think we should commend KKS for getting the championship off the ground.

Regarding the tyre rule, KKS still has stock of the MRF with them and they had wanted to use them strictly for the races. However, most of the Rotax drivers have either semi-new tyres or new ones remaining from the last RMC/AMC rounds and the club wanted to ease the expenses for the drivers by allowing the use of Mojos. It is basically for this reason that the club allowed 2 makes of tyres in the race. If the club really wanted to sell off all their MRF's they could write in the SR only MRF are allowed. This would meant drivers having mojos would have to fork out money to get the MRF tyres.

Regarding the availability of Mojos, we had some stock with us but were taken up by Plentong circuit. We had enough tyres for the first round but ran out for this round. As this is really a KKS race, I did not want to bring in another load of tyres until our race in February. Tyres cost a lot of money and everything is paid upfront. With the end of the season, it not a good idea to keep boxes of tyres. I want to bring in tyres fresh for the february race. My shipment will leave on first week of december and would arrive in middle of January in time for practices and race. However, I will arrange to have mojos available for the december KKS round 3 and 4. To help us to organise this, I would ask all drivers to let my staff Chan knows the number of sets you need and I will arrange for them. If you do not let us know, then it is likely there would be no tyres for you on race day. Please note I have to get these tyres off another distributor.

James Leong

[Jules]

Mr Leong,

As always, thanks for your valued comments - which gives more insight on matters. ( I wish PD is more open )

On the KKS club organising races - there is never a dispute that they are MOST ACTIVE club at present, in doing something for kart racing. If I sounded not appreciative of the efforts in any of my replies, then my apologies but as you know me personally, I doubt you misunderstood the reason on why my series of mails are here.

Yes, we have to keep the little cottage industry we have running ( mechanics need a decent living too )....so once again, thanks KKS for running the races, even this late into the year.


Back to our core issue, the tyres. Whilst I understand the noble intention of the club now, to have 2 tyres - I think the fact now is that we have teams running out of used Mojo tyres before Rd 2 and hence that this "anticipation" was in fact not needed. Why? I think its safe to say that those running the RMCs are a serious lot and being that competitive ( or commited to karting ) - they would have finished their tyres in their private practise sessions by now, either in preparation for WF, next year RMC or just driving around - just like every racing year end! And this was what happened, even for the non competitive driver like me, leaving me with no option on trying to start a race on equal footing.

Tyres are not cheap, for distributors ( upfront payment ) but also for us, the drivers - hence I appeal to those making the rules to consider this carefully too.

In continuation - As you would know, I am also trying to promote the sports by getting newbies into racing and from my many discussions with these wanting to "try" racing - cost is one huge issue, which I too, know fairly well. From my perspective, we have 3 levels of racing in Malaysia.

Beginner : 1) Fun Karting/corporate/ invitational events ( i.e. Mykart )
Intermediate : 2) KKS Club Championship, Yamaha Championship
Serious : 3) National RMC, Asean RMC, AKOC

In my perspective, the earlier rule of running the MRF tyres only in the KKS Club racing was excellent, as the cost of tyres is more than half the Mojos as used in the "serious" RMC. As such, I promoted in private to many friends especially those coming through the ranks of MyKart and private 125 kart owners to this INTERMEDIATE level and used the cheaper MRF tyres as the selling point. Mind you, the 125 Open is the only class we have even for adult newbies and I wun complain if we have a separate Senior 125 class on MRF but that's wishful thinking.

In any case, Pakcik Kasim can vouch that I did bring in a few members to him early this year ( member names : Muhaiymin, Tarmizi, Nazaruddin....) but sadly, none is racing so far. Among others, this tyre decision turnaround is surely one contributing factor of them shying away.

For whatever reasons, if we want to bring the KKS to be on par as RMC by using Mojos, fine and I know upfront what to do both in my own racing and promoting karting. Even if you want to have an OPEN tyre rule ( as some has asked for ), fine and ditto. This current greyness in having dual tyre possibility is dangerous and does nothing to promote the sports. It is now made worse that one of the faster tyre is no longer available in the market for this weekend's Rd 2.

Btw, I think I can safely conclude that for next year's 2009 racing, with the alternate KKS/RMC/KKS/RMC race placement, I think the logical choice will be Mojos all the way.....if I were to derive further from your thoughts on saving multiple tyre costs to drivers by a one brand make.( this moves KKS to "Serious" category in my ranking )


Please note that I did not mention Yamaha as I am not involved enough to "promote" this. It is no doubt turning out to a be good championship too. Aaron, you reading this?


Thanks James also for your Rd 3 and Rd 4 tyre advice and most of all, for reading and contributing your thoughts to this . I am keen to know when is our next KKS AGM but I think my thoughts are clear to you all, in open.


Finally - Hard to believe, but I am so worked up on this tyre issue, where I have absolutely no kickbacks, personal gains nor affliation to anyone or any party. Its just for a silly kart which goes round and round Passion brings a person a long way, so maybe I have to find a new hobby.

You all, have a safe race and good outing.

My very best regards,
Julian Ng

[Jules]

Jules,

Please look at the bright side. This is actually an equalisation formula - those with used Mojos will go slower and slower as the day progresses. Some may even end up racing with canvass during the final. Meanwhile the MRF tyres will prove to be consistently slow during the whole day. The last few laps should prove to be extremely interesting...

Alex...images of Hamilton running out of tyre in Shanghai LAST YEAR comes flooding in! HA HA HA

Thanks for keeping the humour in the thread....appreciated!

[James Leong]

Jules,

Thanks for your thoughts. Running the KKS championship was to let drivers and mechanics have something to do this off period as I have said before. If all the drivers feel very strongly and would not have any objections on using the MRF ONLY, I think the club would readily agree to amend the SR to using MRF tyres only. They have 100 sets and that would be ample to supply everyone. It is still not too late to issue an ASR on this matter.

I am just trying to help and make it a win-win situation for everyone. Perhaps now that there are really no mojos available then can we run this round and the rest of the rounds on MRF? You drivers decide and let me know. I need to inform the club about this.

James Leong

[james lee]

I am in for this one.
MRF for all is definitely fair.

[Alex Ritchie]

Ideally we would like to use Round 2 as a training session for La Conca, so our preference is for (used) Mojos. Furthermore the Club has issued a clarification by e-mail which emphatically upholds the importance of the SR of the championship so I do not think this is an appropriate issue for discussion anymore.

[Jules]

Mr Leong,

Thanks for your offer to assist. I am very mindful today is FRIDAY and many would have made preparations for the Sunday race and sorted out the tyres, as I said everyone was running round sorting this. John King would kill me.... LOL!

My suggestion, is to ask for a decision after the driver's briefing on this Sunday - on what they want to do for Rd 3 & 4 on the tyres situation for the Open 125 class. I will not be there this round since I had no tyres .....so and please count my vote as "for MRF" - if you allow a proxy vote.

This will also help finish all the Mojos in the market ( used and new ), save some cost to our drivers ( if any ) & allow our drivers going to WF have a final local race practise.....

Once again, thanks to Mr Leong for being a voice of reasonable-ness.

My best regards,
Julian Ng

[Jules]

Ideally we would like to use Round 2 as a training session for La Conca, so our preference is for (used) Mojos. Furthermore the Club has issued a clarification by e-mail which emphatically upholds the importance of the SR of the championship so I do not think this is an appropriate issue for discussion anymore.

Alex, somehow we think alike on keeping Mojos for Rd 2....but I do ask for a reconsideration for Rd 3 & 4.

Thanks,
Julian