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.