[RocK]

Great weekend of racing.

very close racing by the looks from the lap times and gaps.
surprise to see lil entry for the DD2. i tho this year DD2 will be hotter.

any updates on the technical side? P9 engine, new clutch etc..

Thanks.

[JohnKing6]

Great weekend of racing.

very close racing by the looks from the lap times and gaps.
surprise to see lil entry for the DD2. i tho this year DD2 will be hotter.

any updates on the technical side? P9 engine, new clutch etc..

Thanks.

Yep, the DD2 is disappointing. We've got lots of people saying they'll join "when there's enough". But of course until ppl join, there'll never be enough. It's a shame - it's a great class and the running costs are probably lower than a senior. At least with Vica and Luca coming for AMC, we'll have a real DD2 race for the 1st time on Malaysian soil in April

On the technical side the most noticeable thing was that the winners of all categories that allow it had front brakes....

[RocK]

Yep, the DD2 is disappointing.

On the technical side the most noticeable thing was that the winners of all categories that allow it had front brakes....

is it because its expensive to invest a DD2 or its harder to drive a DD2?

[mlange]

Yep, the DD2 is disappointing.

On the technical side the most noticeable thing was that the winners of all categories that allow it had front brakes....

is it because its expensive to invest a DD2 or its harder to drive a DD2?

Actually, I tried a friend's DD2 and its pretty fun to drive the DD2. Not much to worry too much about as its just 2 gears and if I remember correctly I didnt need to lift my foot off during gear changes.

The slightly higher pricing on the chassis and engine could be a dampener but I'd say its a chicken and egg situation.

People should actually try one - that would get them racing these engines a lot more.

[James Leong]

Mike,

I know you have bought one unit of the DD2 and also Julian. I am wondering why both of you do not want to enter the race. I hope to see you both coupled with 3 existing drivers and one more, we should have about 6 karts on the grid. If I can convince 2 other drivers from City Karting to join, then we should have 8. This will be then a good field for the DD2.

Remember that for DD2 race the entry is free. No fees involved.

James Leong

[HK]

Mike,

I know you have bought one unit of the DD2 and also Julian. I am wondering why both of you do not want to enter the race. I hope to see you both coupled with 3 existing drivers and one more, we should have about 6 karts on the grid. If I can convince 2 other drivers from City Karting to join, then we should have 8. This will be then a good field for the DD2.

Remember that for DD2 race the entry is free. No fees involved.

James Leong

Don't miss 2 of us from HK, so there'll be 10!!
By the way, I never know the entry is free for DD2??

Moreover James...., is Subang Jaya in KL or near KL (how far? possible to stay in KL?)
Which hotel will AMC assign for the drivers? Cause it's easter holiday in HK, we'll have to book the flight and rooms for hotel if ness....

[Jules]

James and all,

On the DD2, unless this Julian is someone else - no, I still have my ROK.....

Sad to see DD2 is not making any impact despite James's promise for a "5 lap" races amongst the veteran......

In anycase, in my opinion - the DD2 is more interesting to drive, which can mean a bit harder for the unfit like me and requires a more car like driving approach. ( due to front brakes )

Yes, the upshifts can be flat on floor but downshifts......done with blips which is very similar to what you will need to do with a Formula BMW. So in short, this IS THE CLASS to go before you go car racing. Why do you think Fei Hoong does this?

Now on reason why the class is not so popular......well, other than the slightly slight more physical side of it ( esp at the bumpy Elite downhill sweeper where ur neck take a beating at 120kph ), the chassis being unique on its own ( single side bearing only ) makes ownership/disposal harder. Mechanically - I must admit, I have heard rumours that the DD2 engine goes thru a piston faster than the senior but have no proof.

Yes, its a chicken n egg situation and if we have a bigger crowd, there be more buyers/sellers.

Other than walk in rentals, I can suggest we hold clinics with such rentals DD2 or RM1 for budding drivers. If we have this class in the less competitive KKS races, maybe this will also encourage fun drivers....Slowly, the bug will bite.....and yes, its a very good racing formula and a NECESSARY UPSTEP for budding Formula car drivers IMHO.

Last good thing about this class - no dirty suit cos there is no chain!

Just my 2 cents and old man rambling.

[James Leong]

The Julian I was talking about is from Singapore so it is not you - Jules. I was hoping some others who had RM1 or DD2 will come forward to race.

Sorry Vica, the entry fees for DD2 is free only for the local Rotax Max Challenge and does not apply to the AMC. I am afraid you will have to pay the entry fees. Let's get something going and we can think about the rewards later. I am sure we can work it out.

The hotel that we will be using for the AMC is Hotel Summit in Subang Jaya which is in the Petaling Jaya city area. Its far from KL and it is not possible for you to stay in KL and race at Elite. You will need at least more than an hour to reach the track if you stay in KL.

James Leong

[DMmotorsport]

James and all,

On the DD2, unless this Julian is someone else - no, I still have my ROK.....

Sad to see DD2 is not making any impact despite James's promise for a "5 lap" races amongst the veteran......

In anycase, in my opinion - the DD2 is more interesting to drive, which can mean a bit harder for the unfit like me and requires a more car like driving approach. ( due to front brakes )

Yes, the upshifts can be flat on floor but downshifts......done with blips which is very similar to what you will need to do with a Formula BMW. So in short, this IS THE CLASS to go before you go car racing. Why do you think Fei Hoong does this?

Now on reason why the class is not so popular......well, other than the slightly slight more physical side of it ( esp at the bumpy Elite downhill sweeper where ur neck take a beating at 120kph ), the chassis being unique on its own ( single side bearing only ) makes ownership/disposal harder. Mechanically - I must admit, I have heard rumours that the DD2 engine goes thru a piston faster than the senior but have no proof.

Yes, its a chicken n egg situation and if we have a bigger crowd, there be more buyers/sellers.

Other than walk in rentals, I can suggest we hold clinics with such rentals DD2 or RM1 for budding drivers. If we have this class in the less competitive KKS races, maybe this will also encourage fun drivers....Slowly, the bug will bite.....and yes, its a very good racing formula and a NECESSARY UPSTEP for budding Formula car drivers IMHO.

Last good thing about this class - no dirty suit cos there is no chain!

Just my 2 cents and old man rambling.

Hey Man, i don't want to attack you, but about DD2 being THE CLASS to go up to car racing. It is totally wrong ...
THE class for Car driving is KZ 2 and KZ 1 like we used to have in Europe.... because you have 6 gears, you have to have real feeling...
DD2 is only 1 gear, it is 1st or second, and you can only change gearing inside...
We in KZ classes we change cilinders, carburators, in France we may even change exhaust... that is real Car-sport, the same in KF...
This is the reason why many drivers from Asia come here and are on a step below the level of European youngster!
THO i don't say there are no talents in Asia, NOT AT ALL, i can EVEN say there is a lot of talent waiting in Asia, to lear more, to get a step ahead...
The setup of a race car, Formula 2 or even formula 1 cars, is quit simular to KZ of KF, exept vor the aerodynamics....
Here in Europe DD2 is used by some hobby driver, even i think it is a great class, but the KZ 2 (46hp) and the KF2 (40hp) are amazingly faster than DD2 or MAX, what does make it less intresting, it makes the drivers give other driving styles/Technics.... perfect like for Touring Car racing, you have to let the engine role... keep up the RPM.... and excully the DD2 is not different than this........

This is my opinion ofcourse

[Jules]

James and all,

On the DD2, unless this Julian is someone else - no, I still have my ROK.....

Sad to see DD2 is not making any impact despite James's promise for a "5 lap" races amongst the veteran......

In anycase, in my opinion - the DD2 is more interesting to drive, which can mean a bit harder for the unfit like me and requires a more car like driving approach. ( due to front brakes )

Yes, the upshifts can be flat on floor but downshifts......done with blips which is very similar to what you will need to do with a Formula BMW. So in short, this IS THE CLASS to go before you go car racing. Why do you think Fei Hoong does this?

Now on reason why the class is not so popular......well, other than the slightly slight more physical side of it ( esp at the bumpy Elite downhill sweeper where ur neck take a beating at 120kph ), the chassis being unique on its own ( single side bearing only ) makes ownership/disposal harder. Mechanically - I must admit, I have heard rumours that the DD2 engine goes thru a piston faster than the senior but have no proof.

Yes, its a chicken n egg situation and if we have a bigger crowd, there be more buyers/sellers.

Other than walk in rentals, I can suggest we hold clinics with such rentals DD2 or RM1 for budding drivers. If we have this class in the less competitive KKS races, maybe this will also encourage fun drivers....Slowly, the bug will bite.....and yes, its a very good racing formula and a NECESSARY UPSTEP for budding Formula car drivers IMHO.

Last good thing about this class - no dirty suit cos there is no chain!

Just my 2 cents and old man rambling.

Hey Man, i don't want to attack you, but about DD2 being THE CLASS to go up to car racing. It is totally wrong ...
THE class for Car driving is KZ 2 and KZ 1 like we used to have in Europe.... because you have 6 gears, you have to have real feeling...
DD2 is only 1 gear, it is 1st or second, and you can only change gearing inside...
We in KZ classes we change cilinders, carburators, in France we may even change exhaust... that is real Car-sport, the same in KF...
This is the reason why many drivers from Asia come here and are on a step below the level of European youngster!
THO i don't say there are no talents in Asia, NOT AT ALL, i can EVEN say there is a lot of talent waiting in Asia, to lear more, to get a step ahead...
The setup of a race car, Formula 2 or even formula 1 cars, is quit simular to KZ of KF, exept vor the aerodynamics....
Here in Europe DD2 is used by some hobby driver, even i think it is a great class, but the KZ 2 (46hp) and the KF2 (40hp) are amazingly faster than DD2 or MAX, what does make it less intresting, it makes the drivers give other driving styles/Technics.... perfect like for Touring Car racing, you have to let the engine role... keep up the RPM.... and excully the DD2 is not different than this........

This is my opinion ofcourse

Yes, you are rite that ICC karts replicate best the driving discipline need in the higher league of car racing ......but sorry, we only have this category here in SE Asia. So I am speaking of reality on ground zero, not ideals. As said, the front brake makes the driving different and one gear is better than none.

Same comment for KZ, KF etc - we dun have such classes as yet.....although its slowly opening.

Cheers,
Jules


James - thanks for clarifying on the "Julian"....

[DMmotorsport]

Jules,
I agree with you ....

About the classes, maybe you can open a topic about it...

Ciao, Kristof
DMmotorsport

[RocK]

more physical side of it

ahh there goes my idea of riding a DD2 class.

[JohnKing6]

OK, so as the most experienced DD2 driver in Malaysia - both in terms of races and age , let me wade into the debate:

Firstly, there's no point comparing DD2 to KZ and it's extremely unhelpful to even talk about a KZ class - the last thing we need is a split between the extremely small number of drivers who might race something with a gearbox. Having the variety of classes there is in Europe in fine when there 25+ countries, all with 10 times the number of licenced karters there are in Malaysia. We've started down the path of having KF here and that's going to take years to develop so let's not start a debate about KZ.

Is the DD2 physically harder to drive. Yes it is, in two ways. Firstly the gearshift itself needs to be done firmly so your hands and forearms take strain they don't with a 125. Secondly, it's a bit more brutal than a 125 so your body gets thrown around a bit more - especially on a twisty, bunpy track like Elite. I really struggled 1st time out at El Ain in 2007 but after a years driving one in reasonaly short races in 2008, I didn't find the 2008 World finals much of a problem - and I'm much older than most people racing karts competitively

Purchase costs: Yes, they are a bit higher but is it much? It looks like to be competitive in 125 this year you need front brakes so the gap in price between a new 125 and new DD2 isn't that much.

Running costs. My engine has done about 12 hours. We stripped it before the last race and checked everything and it was fine. All we replaced was the piston ring. Apart from keeping Jules suit clean. you also don't have the RM220 bill for most races for a new chain and sprocket....

If anyone wants to try one, my number is on my website. I'll rent out and service mine for a days test for anyone for RM500 (although if you damage it you pay $$$) and I'll take the RM500 off the purchase price of a new GPRacing DD2 chassis or give you half back if you buy one from somewhere else and actually race it

[DMmotorsport]

Hi John;

why would you like the drivers Asia to stay at the level they are?
why not let them grow? it is only a mather of time..
i have now 5 engines ready for Asia, and i'm far from the only one.
And you talk about a split, but that is only for Maleisia, all other countries already have open 125 class......
And you talk about a split up of the DD2 driver, and you are only with 2, and one of those 2 is getting sabotated as hell... like renting a other ones mecanic and put his tire the other way.....
Let's not make a fight of it... ... i only want to say people will love it.....; maybe you can all work more on the fun factor and the hobby drivers.... before racing in races with only 2 drivers.....
Here in Europe people take a look Asia like there are no talented drivers, only drivers with money.......
I can tell you 1 thing: my thoughts are chaged the lest few months !

ciao, Kristof

[Julian_Lee]

Yup! I am the Julian James is referring to. And James hasn't solve my sticker kit issue I had for my Intrepid DD2 2008 Chassis.

The Julian I was talking about is from Singapore so it is not you - Jules. I was hoping some others who had RM1 or DD2 will come forward to race.

Sorry Vica, the entry fees for DD2 is free only for the local Rotax Max Challenge and does not apply to the AMC. I am afraid you will have to pay the entry fees. Let's get something going and we can think about the rewards later. I am sure we can work it out.

The hotel that we will be using for the AMC is Hotel Summit in Subang Jaya which is in the Petaling Jaya city area. Its far from KL and it is not possible for you to stay in KL and race at Elite. You will need at least more than an hour to reach the track if you stay in KL.

James Leong