First proper days practice

Finally a fulls days running. My ribs stood up quite well - they were aching a bit through the day but some adjustment to the new seat (a lot of padding, especially where my arse is as I have no arse!) made all the difference. The next they still ached but weren't too bad.

We started off with the teams bosses practice tyres (they don't wear, but neither do they have any grip) and then in the afternoon stuck on my new fresh rubber. They needed a lap to bed in but I set my fastest lap of the day on my first run with them - a 37.485 - my best lap ever!
The times were a bit all over the place though as the rear was a bit lively, so the boss increased the rear track width a bit which made all the difference. I couldn't set as quick a lap time but 10 consistent laps in a row - all at 37.5 to 37.9 made me very happy indeed.
So next, the team boss wants a go. Well, he did build the thing... His first lap is within a tenth of my quickest (remember, this is the first time he's driven this kart!) and he finally sets a 36.551! I've still got a long way to go...

Not a total loss though, the boss was totally finished after these laps!

Testing!

I've finally finished editing the video of the first taste of my new kart. It was a good day but it was sooo long ago. I went to watch some racing at Suzuka circuit last week and had a quick go in a rental machine just to see if my ribs were good. My ribs have now recovered so next week I'll be trying a new seat.

Badboy 18

We just got lashed by quite a nasty typhoon. They don't give names to storms in Japan, just nice efficient numbers and the one that hit yesterday was number 18. I couldn't help it but every time I saw the news weather map it seemed to be coming right at me, but it's all over now. Some good came of it though - work was canceled (yeah!) but the bank holiday Monday we were going to enjoy got canceled in lieu... welcome to workaholic Japan. :(

Back to business. I finally bought a kart about 6 weeks ago, but I am totally frustrated with it. Why? I here you ask. Because after 2 sessions I've only managed about 30 laps in it! It broke my ribs first time out! (That was whilst wearing a rib protector too!) I did try a few laps 3 weeks ago but it was still no good. Gutted. Ah well, here it is anyway.
An Italian imported Intrepid chassis, with a seat made for Italian Jockeys (probably why my ribs are broke). Only a couple more weeks until full recovery - can't wait.

(Don't forget to comment!)

Kart racing

I've started racing karts properly this year. Well, not quite. I've done 2 rental kart races and lots of practice in this rental kart. It has a 100cc air cooled engine - the Yamaha KT100. It's not a common engine in the UK but forms the backbone of kart racing in Asia, Australia and the States. It's not so powerful for a racing engine with only about 15 horses, but it is cheap at around $700 (350 quid) a pop.

The video is from mid-summer. Was over 37 degrees C that day, really hot! Being a rental kart the tires are very hard, but on a hot day like that it really didn't matter. It was nice being able to keep up with everyone else for once! (at least in the corners anyway...)

Satellite shot of the course below:

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