Season Greetings

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!!! Thank you for all your supports and encouragements given and time taken to read my blog.  I wish all to be happy, healthy, wealthy and the best of luck in the coming years.

Joyeux Noël et une Bonne Année à tous!!!  Merci pour votre soutient et les encouragements donnés et le temps de lire mon blog.  Je souhaite à tous d'être heureux, bonne sante, riche et la meilleure des chances dans les prochaines années.

Gran Turismo 5 - Autumn Ring Mini Go Kart Time Trial 39.909

Alvis breaking the 40 sec barrier at Autumn Ring Mini with 39.909 sec.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLqJXU4zZk

Gran Turismo 5 - Tokyo Bay Kart Professional level Course Maker Version

Added a few corners to the original Tokyo Bay Kart Track.




http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW8L_3qGvFE

Gran Turismo 5 Kart Racing Autumn Ring Mini - Advanced

This is the first Gran Turismo 5 Kart Racing video uploaded to YouTube by Alvis. Though he has been playing racing games for the past 4 years but this is by far the most closest to his kart racing. Please enjoy the video and there will more in the future.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJXlrtKEso

Gran Turismo 5 Kart Racing Autumn Ring Mini (Replay) - Advanced





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29KoTxqE2mM

FFSA Ecole Française de Karting (EFK) De Kart Center Biscarrosse

So far, Alvis learns most of his driving skill from playing racing simulator games.  Knowing that is insufficient for his learning path, he was enrolled to learn go karting at Ecole Française de Karting (EFK) De Kart Center Biscarrosse under the teaching of  David CRUZ.  







Beside learning karting skills at the school, you will learn to respect the karting values and rules which apply on and off the racetrack.  The principles of these teachings are based on values such as respect for self and others and sporting behaviors.  Respect the signs and the flags on the track.  Respect the officials and rules of the sporting code on and off the circuit.

 

The course consists of 3 stages and will be taught over 24 weeks.
The first stages, Bronze Wheel:

Learning and knowing the different characteristics of the kart.  Know and respect the specification of the flags.  Control the kart without hitting and go between slalom cones.  Know and apply the safety maneuvers, staying in the kart when off the track and raise your hands to get attention to prevent accident.  Knowledge to stop in the shortest possible distance without locking the rear wheels.  Know to avoid an obstacle (short reaction, decision-making with emergency response). Learn to coordinate the management of the accelerator and brake.  Be able to make 3 timed laps, resulting in 110% of the time of referral.

 

Second stage, Silver Wheel:

Knowledge of the Bronze Wheel.  Ability to manage a safe distance with other drivers and respect those imposed by the instructor.  Knowing his position on the track and learn to look away and turn around without deflecting the trajectory of the kart.  Know how to drive the entire circuit without leaving the track.  Know how to prepare your kart.  Be able to make 3 timed laps, resulting in 105% of the time of referral.

Third stage, Gold Wheel:

Knowledge of the Silver Wheel.  Knowing how to adopt an ideal path without materialisation.  Know how to overtake or being overtaken without touching his opponent.  Learn the process and know how to take a departure.  Be able to make 3 timed laps, resulting in the 101 % of the time of reference.  The time of reference is the best time, achieved on the track for the category.

The above 3 stages descriptions were translated from FFSA Ecoles Françaises de Karting website.


 
Kart Center Biscarrosse
http://www.karting-biscarrosse.com/

FFSA Ecoles Françaises de Karting (EFK)
http://www.ffsa-efk.com/l_enseignement.html

Le Mans - Circuit Alain Prost

After winning the 2010 Trophée Kart Ufolep Sud-Ouest Championship, Alvis went to Circuit Alain Prost, Le Mans for some fun.



After the first session, the sky turned dark and it rained for about 10 minutes. Just before the second session, there were two rainbows appeared beautifully over the track.



What a nice timing to have for just two sessions, one dry and one wet. Alvis was having fun on the wet track. Though it is a new track to him but he handled well with the rented kart.



The staffs were friendly and kind to let him go a few extra rounds before closing for the day. One of the staff asked him whether he will come back again and Alvis replied, 'peut-être' which mean maybe. We had fun and would certainly like to return one day for Alvis to race at the international circuit.

Round 7: Vainqueur Trophée Kart Sud-Ouest 2010

This was the final round of the 7 race Trophée Kart Sud-Ouest 2010 Championship. The day started gloomy and slight drizzle in the morning with forecast of rain in the afternoon. The wet morning practice, chronos and heat 1 went on surprising smooth and without much excitement.



Alvis wasn't having the best of luck because during the pre-final, he was 'kissed' hard by someone who skidded and making a u turn when Alvis just passed him. The impact caused the right wheel track rod to break and his kart was immobilised. He retired prematurely even before completing the first lap. This boy took it gracefully though there were some angry and sad moments while waiting for the pre-final to end. I guessed every racer will experience this somewhere in their racing days. It would not be a race if everyone were driving in an orderly manner.



What a ride to have on a race day. Thank you to the tow team and the kids that help to bring Alvis and his kart back safely.



Starting the final from the last row was a bad place to be. Imaging you have only 4 laps to overtake as many as possible. Moving from last row to 6th position in just 4 laps on a wet day was an achievement for the little Champion. The final round of Trophée Kart Sud-Ouest 2010 ended on a rainy Sunday.



Some happy and proud moments during the medal and trophies presentation.



Trophee Vincent Lener handshake.



Alvis was looking forward to this day from the start of race season 2010. Champion of Trophée Kart Sud-Ouest.



Bravo Alvis !!! You have moved a small step towards your passion for racing. It's a long track and we believe your passion will race you through the finishing line and conquer the checkered flag.



A big thank you to Team Of Course, Ask Boienne, Ask Magescq, Ask St Genis, Ask Kartland, Ask Teyjat, Ask St Benoit, Ask Montalivet, Race Directors, Marshalls for organising the Championship and all who made the races possible. Not forgetting the parents, racers, mechanics, photographers and their excellent photos.



A very special thanks to David, Regis, Lionel, Michel, Jeff and Rupert for their teaching and guidance on kart racing and kart set up.

Last but not least, thank you to my families, relatives and friends for your continuous support and encouragement and to all who visited my blog.

Round 6: Racing near l'océan Atlantique

After a long summer break, Alvis returned to Montalivet karting track for the 6th race of Trophée Sud-ouest 2010. It was about 5 minutes drive away from the beach. It was almost windy throughout the whole day at the track.



It was a very important race for the Trophée Sud-ouest 2010 as Alvis needed to finish strongly to secure at least a podium for the Championship.



During the practice, he was struggling with the grip because this is the shortest track of the championship with a lot of twists and turns. Though he was getting quite a good timing but you can see that he was pushing hard to save that hundreds of a second each lap.



Alvis managed to finish second on chronos on the race day.





As the race went on, he was dropped from 2nd during the qualification to 3rd and to 4th on the final. At one point, he skidded out of the track after a 'kiss' with another kart during the final. Lucky enough for him to recover to join the group in 7th position. He put on a fight for the remaining laps to climb back to finish strong enough for a 4th.









We would like to thank the staff of Montalivet karting and the race officials for a wonderful race day. Also, not forgetting the nice restaurant recommended and we had a wonderful dinner by the Alantique Ocean.

National Race 2010 - St Benoit

To start with, we would like to thank St Benoit and the officials for making this race possible. It was a very 'exciting' race for us.



Weeks before the National race, I was very very busy preparing Alvis's kart because he seems not as competitive as before. Trying with many different set up but only to see very little improvement. Eventually, I decided to buy him a new engine. After fitting the new engine and full of confidence, he went for some run in laps before pushing it hard. OMG, it was worse! The timing gone almost one second slower than the old engine! To confirm, I fitted back the old engine and it became obvious what was wrong.

It was kind for uncle Choo Teck to willingly let Alvis test his kart with Choo Rui's kart and engine. It was clear again that it was half a second faster than his old engine. After a lot of kart swapping and engine changing, I sent the new engine back to the workshop. We decided to give the new engine another try after a further 'run in' by the workshop. Good, It was a better result with about 7/10 of a second faster than initially but still not the best. Without any other options and lack of time, we set off to St Benoit.



During the practice, it seems that the engine was working alright and we kept our fingers crossed hoping that it can be better during the race. There were some heart stopping and fast beating moment just before the last lap of the practice session ended. As usual, Alvis went into a blind spot corner (from our view) but he never came out from it this time. A few seconds later, We saw some officials running towards the 'blind spot corner' and that was the moment my heart was beating increasingly faster and faster. Thinking that it must be Alvis, I rushed to the scene. This time, my heart beat stop for a moment when I saw four medical staffs surrounded him. Only to start beating when one of the official asked if he is my son and I said yes. I was told that he went so close to the tire barriers that his kart tire 'kissed' it and went merry go round and round and round and round. The impact went so bad that the steering column and track rod bent badly. Blessed and thankful that he was alright except for some neck and back ache with a few knocks on his hands and legs and yes...he was alright. Why? Because my little racer told me that it gave him more confidence to go nearer to the tire barriers. See the passion in him?



Finally, the race day. Still filled with what happened yesterday, I tried to start the day as if nothing happened. Then suddenly, I noticed Alvis was not looking good.



He told me that he felt some pain in his neck and I guess any parents will say and do the same thing, that was to tell him to give up the race for the sake of his safety. He insisted that he was good to race but just that he was feeling somehow uncomfortable. After seeing how persistent he was and guess what? Yes, you were right, I said okay. I probably made the most risky decision in my life. Anyway, I told myself that from the first day I endorsed his passion for racing, I will try my best to support him as far as I can.




Really, really thankful for everything and it went all well for the race and it was a podium finished for Alvis. The best gift for us was that he finished the race strongly and safely and is still a happy racer.

Round 5: Racing is not only about winning physically but mentally too

Be the first to cross the finishing line, win the race and get on top of the podium definitely is something that every racer would love to achieve. There is one thing that most will miss out when one cannot get onto the podium. That is winning the race mentally. This is the first race in the championship that Alvis did not get onto the podium. From pole position, finishing first for qualification and pre-final to 4th on the final.



Winning by not getting on to the podium? Yes, the ability to see and feel, where and why, you and your racing machine could not cross the finishing line fast enough to get onto the podium, that is winning mentally. Imaging Alvis telling you that he can see that he is losing on the straight but winning on turns and corners. He feels that the tires are gripping well round the corners but his engine not producing enough power on the straight. With that, he knew that the only chance was to take it on the corners. Still, he was unable to hold on to his leading position and fell to 4th on the final.
He was happy to finish the race but was a little sad initially for not able to get on the podium.



After some quiet moments, he realized that winning mentally is as important. Kicking your kart, throwing your helmet and gloves, blaming your kart and other will not help you to win anything and Alvis knew that since his debut in kart racing.

Round 4: A Little Present for Mother's Day

Alvis made a promise to his Mummy that he was going to give her a present after the weekend (30th May).

Teyjat, a quiet town in Nontron that was awakened by the sound of the speeding adrenaline. It was a wet Sunday morning where the 4th Race of Trophy Kart Sud-Ouest was held.



It wasn't a smooth day for Alvis. First, he had to struggle with the slippery track and second, his mechanic Daddy (me) had a difficult time setting up his kart for a wet track. Thanks to both Chay and Simon's 'mechanics' for the advice given. Alvis secured 5th position during chrono laps. He started well and was 4th position before the first turn. Just on the second lap, he was 'touched" on the rear and skidded out. He was unable to bring his kart back to the track and that prematurely ended his qualification race.



Alvis started the prefinal from the last position on the grid and fought his way through to finish eighth. During the final, there were some 'touching' between the fore runners and Alvis luckily finished 3rd with a close fight with the fore runners.



Alvis loved the track so much that he wanted to go back again for more even he did not win the race. His passion for racing includes conquering every new track even on a non racing day.



A little promise to his Mummy for a Mother's day present nearly gone empty-handed. With his determination and luck, Alvis kept his promise and presented a small trophy to his Mummy as a present.