New Visor Decal by Blacksheep Communications
After months of continuous training, Alvis decided to take part in a regional race at a local track. The practice on Saturday was mostly overcast and with temperature vary from 8 deg C in the morning to about 20 deg C in the afternoon and again cooler towards the evening. We collected quite a fair bit of data during free practice sessions and hopefully it can be put to good use on the Race day.
We arrived at the track early the next day and the temperature was colder than Saturday. We got everything prepared and headed out for one more practice session before the qualifying session.
Waiting for early morning practice session
Alvis having a chat with the boys before the briefing
New rule for qualification. During the session, no racer is allowed to come in and change setup and head out again. So you have only one go with your tire pressure and you have to nail it. Strategy changed last minute due to the new rule and hoping it works out well with the collected data.
Waiting for qualifying session in parc ferme
The changed strategy works during the qualification. However, the second attempt wasn't good enough to beat the best time set earlier. I didn't know that the strategy I read from the internet actually comes handy in this situation.
End of qualifying session
Qualifying results
Leaving parc ferme
The motivated little racer hands on cleaning his kart every session in keeping it in a tip top condition. Alvis has taken up the responsibility of cleaning in between session whereas I will be taking care of the setup. This was strongly built up during the past months of training as he matured along the way.
Keep it shining
Alvis took pole and was ready to lead the group into heat 1. There was no surprise with the setup and Alvis went on to finish 5 seconds ahead. However, during heat 2, there was a scare moment on the first two laps as he was pressured almost bumper to bumper. The setup seem to not really work for heat 2. Alvis was about 3 tenths down per lap compared to heat 1. He defended well and held on to his lead with less than a second to take the checkered flag. That was close. The setup seem to not really work for heat 2 and we were puzzled.
Pole position
Last lap for heat 2
A big discussion after heat 2 on the behavior on the engine and kart setup before stopping for lunch. As the track evolved, we decided to take a slightly different approach as to the collected data for the pre-final. Though it was not all agreed to the new setup initially but we still gave it a try.
Alvis giving his feedback
Anxiously waiting and watching in the parc fermé to see if the setup works for pre-final. The formation lap went really well and Alvis had a good start. He was able to pull off from the chasing pack after the fifth corner and with that, I knew we took the right decision to differ slightly from the collected data and we were heading in the right direction. Alvis was back to the leading gap of 6 seconds in a 12 laps pre-final after crossing the finishing line.
Alvis leading into the pre-final
Having a great improvement on the setup for the pre-final, we continued with the same approach for the final. Of course, this time round, all were convinced that we were heading in the right direction. Still, nothing was taken for granted as everything were checked and re-checked again and again. Thereafter, the final went on for 14 laps and...
We would like to thank Cedric for his assistance and technical advise for the race weekend. He has been very helpful throughout the weekend and a really nice guy to work with. Once again, Merci à vous Cédric.
Photo with CSKART47 chief, Cédric
First race, first win for 2014
Last but not least, we would also like to thank FFSA CRK Aquitaine and Karting Es Course for organising the race. Thank you to the officials and staff working on and off track for keeping the race event safe and smooth. Thank you and hope to see you guys soon.
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