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.

Racing Towards The North - St Benoit Sur Loire (Karting 45) 02-05-10

First of all, we would like to thank Team Of Course for transporting Alvis's kart and providing a shelter for us during the competition. Also, not forgetting Ask Kartland and Karting 45 for organising the Race. To provide Alvis an opportunity to excel in his kart racing, we went up north to St Benoit (about an hour drive southwest from Paris) to expose him to a new group of minikart racers and a new track. The weather was good on Saturday and he was having fun practicing with his buddy, Rui. He met some 'old friends' from last year National Race and was happy to be able to race with them again.

It was a cold and cloudy Sunday morning with threat of rain. Alvis was all prepared and his battle machine was ready for the track. There wasn't a free practice to test out the kart setting and went straight to chrono laps. Nevertheless, Alvis was able to 'communicate' with his kart, tyres and the track to secure pole position.

Something special for Alvis during the lunch time. He was invited to do a demostration for Babykart (4 to 7 year old category). This demo was for the parents of the younger kids to assess the speed and handling of the babykart. Brilliant demostration by Alvis.

In the pre-final, Alvis was overtaken during start off. Staying close behind the leader, watching his trajectory and moves and looking for an opportunity to overtake. After a few failed attempts, he finally managed to overtake the leader and stay leading throughout.

During the final, he was confused with the last minute adviced trajectory changed. He dropped 3 places to 4th position in the first few laps due to the confusion.

Being put to test, he held an urgent 'conference' with his kart, tyres, track, brakes, throttle and trajectory. Getting all to focus on the goal and as a team, Alvis succeeded in leading 'them' to take back his lead and together, they conquered the checkered flag.