The road to Suzuka part 2, 125cc Superkart

I've made another video - hurrah! It's a bit more motion sickness though. I mounted the camera on my helmet in an effort to smooth out the action but as you can see, it hasn't worked well! But it really does give you a good idea of how brutal these machines are:

0 - 100kph in around 3.5s
6 Speed sequential gearbox
140 kph top speed (and 180kph on a full sized circuit)
Disc brakes front and rear.

Thanks to Kart Service Hata (link on the left).

Hill climb

I know I haven't posted in ages but I have to share this:

World drift championship Part2: Quick video

Just before I leave for Europe for 5 weeks, here is a quick video I knocked up of my mini-Z drifting - more motion sickness!

RC Drift World Championship: Part 1

See video here!!

Y'know, there's lots of things I like about Japan (and a few things I don't - i.e. cash machines usually close by 7pm...) but currently my most favourite thing is the uninhabited Mini-Z track a short bicycle ride away that happens to be available 24 hours a day. Which is lucky, else I wouldn't be able at all with my salary man hours.

Circuit even has a compressor for cleaning!

Well, since I haven't touched any of my models since last October, I suppose I'm in need of the practice. I've also updated my trusty Mini-Z AWD to a more drift friendly spec: Front one way, locked rear diff (using the 'balloon' method, which works on the Mini-Z gear diff), and replacement of a few worn out parts with strengthened components or just straight replacements. Come to think of it, what is left on my Mini-Z that is original?? The electrics and the drive shaft is about it!

So small, and so cool

On-board karting video

Finally finished editing yesterday. You might get sick if you watch too closely though!

Engine change

I've bought a new engine. It's not as quick as the old one but is nearly there. "But why?," I hear you ask, "why get a slower engine??" The answer is very simple. I've changed class and require this specific engine to compete. I could hire one but the cost of doing so over a year would probably be the same as buying one, and I wouldn't be able to practice on it either. Ah well, it wasn't 'too' expensive (these things are all relative after all) - 600 odd quid for a new engine is pretty good - and it's an old school, direct drive, air cooled 100cc too. The way club level karting should be... [insert argument here]

Mmmm...Engine.... (I had to post at least one picture didn't I??)

I broke the engine in today which was totally painless. It was kinda nice to pootle around the circuit and not go at it like a juvenile dog humping the armchair. I did break one of the seat stays though. Apparently it's pretty common, especially on the engine side due to the vibration. A quick bit of welding sorted it out.

The second round is in two weeks (^___________^) [that's a really big smile by the way]

Busy weekend of all the good stuff!

Saturday was good. We changed the brakes on the car (above) and changed all the oils (gearbox, engine etc..) Helped out (well, drank a lot of tea and coffee!) at the enjoy granp prix in Suzuka too. Morning after went to Mihama for my first ever car race and picked up class win, and overall fastest lap (thanks to Wakida-san!!) Awesome weather and awesome day - what more can I say - thanks to the team for some quality driving - see you all for Spa Nishiura on the 4th April!
Better yet, someone has posted up a video of the last 10 mins or so of the race, and you can see the number 72 screaming on through!

New career in cars.

I tested this at the Minami (south) circuit of Suzuka 2 weekends ago.

(Yes, that is snow in the background!)

It is..... an automatic, but races in a class for automatics so it's not so bad. Only a 1.3 too, but managed a very respectable 1min 6.6 . Best part is, thanks to K&G i'll be racing it this Sunday with the rest of the team. Currently in a Hotel in Suzuka waiting till tomorrow. First we'll be stripping down and rebuilding the front hub as it doesn't look like it'll last the 4 hour race. Then staying in Suzuka and racing at Mihama circuit it Aichi on Sunday. 5 drivers over 4 hours, should be really good fun!

Someone driving an FD at Suzuka Minami course:

Fighting fit!

Having recovered from last year, this year I've been trying to build up my fitness. What a difference it has made. I've been to the track every weekend for the last four weeks, and except for the first race meeting of this year that was held last week, I've pumped out over 100 laps each time. I've also improved my lap time (on new tires) to a 36.8s.Race day last week was good, but a little disappointing. I've changed to the 'freshman' class which is for newcomers. It means an engine change (which I hired) which is the first one I've done. I qualified 5th. I didn't think it was too bad a lap but I thought I'd do worse considering the level of the competition. I'm still finding it hard to get the heat into the tires for the first lap.

Nicely cocking a wheel

The qualifying race was good, a nice move to get from 5th to fourth. Then the final. Popped into 3rd which would have been good if I'd of stayed there, but a mistake on the last corner in last few laps dropped me to fifth. Disappointing, but I learnt a lot.

Getting some post race advice. (Thanks to Yoshie for the pictures).

I won't be karting for the next few weeks, but I will be driving next week on the Minami Course at Suzuka. Real cars! :)