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.
