AFTMKT #11 : Circuit Heros by LMS

I can't believe that I'm featured in the new content section in AFTMKT #11 in collaboration with LifeStyle Motorsports (LMS).

No wonder LMS Director and personal friend, Niki, asked me for some information few weeks ago.


It's an honour to have my data (using the Qstar Transponder system) matched against other trackies for comparison. It's a great way to learn from one another strengths and weaknesses.


Here's a close up on what's written:

 

 

LIfestyle Motorsports Track Day - December 2013

There's no better way to end the year than to hit the tracks for a few good laps. And of course my main reason for being on the tracks at this time of the year instead of bringing my wife on a good holiday trip is because of the past TTA competition. Boy am I glad that I've a wife who understands.

What can I say, the weather is awesome: there's plenty of light around and I've no reason to perform poorly.

Registered myself for the event, which was more like paying for the deposit for the Q*Star only. Did I mention that only at track events organised by Lifestyle Motorsports that everything is paperless? Once you have an account with them (which is free), you'd just need to head to the event that you booked yourself for, and put a deposit for the Q*Star / Transponder, and you can hit the tracks. Easy right?

Visit http://www.lmsports.com.sg/ for more details now.

It's such a fuss free track session compared to other event organisers that require you to sign all sort of indemnity forms at each session.

Time can be better spent at slowly pasting the number tags on the car.

Wonder how many drivers out there "collect" number tags like I do.

Next to set up is the GoPro.  And pose with it like a Car Show model!

Seriously, my photographer (aka my wife) makes me do all the silly pose and insist on putting it on the blog here. It's just a GoPro anyway, not advertising for them but good stuff must share, so I'd recommend it for tracking: Good quality video that even when downsized to Youtube friendly version, it's still very acceptable.
I'm using the GoPro Hero 3+ Black edition by the way.

As usual, I'd preach that having the proper racing gears is very important even though this might just be a friendly track session. It is still motorsports and there is still certain amount of danger to it.

The right tyre pressure is also essential to ensure sufficient grip on the track. And also helps in efficient usage of the tyres. Tyres are too expensive to just waste them.

Unsure about the right amount of tyre pressure for your tyres, head down to one of the LMS organised tracks sessions and I'd be glad to discuss with you.

Another essential checks is to check on the amount of engine oil. Too much is okay, but too little and you're in for trouble.

It's been a routine for Jonathan of SK Garage to provide support for the track day. Whether he or his crew is there, their tools will definitely be there to assist. And you'd be surprised how popular these tools can be.

The modifications used for TTA recently had not been removed to simulate a similar driving  experience as that "fateful" day at the TimeToAttack (TTA) competition. For those who knew how I performed for the actual TTA competition, I'd not give any excuses for my incompetence. But to reassure myself that I could perform, I just had to make sure that every other condition was the same, except for the difference in track conditions.

Thank God for the awesome weather throughout the day. The track was in great condition and many of the other track users were also enjoying the session as much as I do.

And when I return from a hot lap looking like this, you can only expect that I've clocked satisfactory timing.

A new personal best at 2:31:806. Woohoo!

It's moments like these that I feel assured of me and my R's performance. But honestly, don't ask me why I can't drive in the dark during TTA last month. I doubt making a pair of spectacles would help much.


Here's a video of my driving for this track session:




And thanks to the Lifestyle Motorsports team these awesome photos:

Looking forward to the next session at Sepang International Circuit!

LIfestyle Motorsports Track Day - 5 August 2013

My R hasn't been "well" since the last track day on 14 Jul 2013. And it didn't help that I couldn't confirm on my leave till the last minute due to the Hari Raya holiday period. But I'm glad that I managed to squeeze a day off to track up North.


Lifestyle Motorsports' track day this month was on a Monday. And to encourage participants to join in the weekday track session, there was free Alphinestars balaclava for grabs with the first 40 sign-ups.

(Photo credits: Lifestyle Motorsports)

How I wished that I was able to sign-up and get that FREE balaclava. Don't we all love freebies, especially one that comes while we sign-up for something we love to do. That's super worth it!


Anyway, since I wasn't driving, I hitched a ride up with TJM who was tracking that day. Promised him "free coaching" in exchange for the free ride up North. But actually, it is always best to exchange pointers with fellow trackies so that you'd improve.


Despite leaving Singapore at 4am that morning, we managed to arrive at 8.30am for registration.




We were also amongst the first 40 to register. Hence, we were given the free use of the Q-Star system.





There were plenty of photo opportunities since I wasn't getting stressed up about preparing to take my R down to the circuit.

With TJM and the Q-Star + Alpinestars balaclava from LMSports

Group photo with courtesy of LMSports

Not bringing my R to track also gave me the free time to help Jonathan set-up the other cars for the track session.





The track session that day was a pity to miss. The weather was just right, and there were only few cars due to it being a weekday.

I could only stand at the pit and envy those who were there for the track session. 





But on a bright side, without my R, I was able to fully engage in conversations with friends and exchange pointers to bring out our best on the track.



And my main goal for the day was to convert TJM into a serious trackie, like me, since his car was also one that had the potential.




Even Jonathan was all ready to convert him by bringing him some additional boost.

VP Racing, our choice of octane booster.

But I guess the best way to get one to understand what their car can do, is to get behind the wheel and show them how to do it. With that, Jonathan and I took turns bringing TJM out on the circuit and sharing with him our driving styles.




Our efforts paid off when he clocked a best lap of 2:48 (on Bridgestone RE-11). Good job for a first time on SIC.


Besides going to the track day to exchange pointers with friends from Singapore, I always look forward to meeting fellow track enthusiast from Malaysia.

They never fail to make me envy the support they have for even the simplest track session.




And also the wonders they could do to their rides.



And there I was trying to convince the wife to get a stock EK for a daily drive when she pointed out this turbo-charged EK to me which clocked a best lap of 2:23, and convinced me to leave my R stock while she gets a turbo-charged EK. I hate to admit that she has a point there.

I digress.


So anyway, even though I didn't track for this session, I had a fun day at the track and taking in sights that I would usually be oblivious to when I was behind the wheels.

This is one of the example:

This is how we like to spend our time: Racing.

Till the next Lifestyle Motorsports track day in November 2013, I'm happy to even be able to set foot on SIC and hanging out with fellow track enthusiast!

Lifestyle Motorsports Track Day - 14 July 2013

It's been 3 long months since the Lifestyle Motorsports Inaugural Track Day on 31 March. And I've been itching to get back onto the tracks for a decent lap since then, but my work schedule hasn't been too kind on me until of late.


It was a weeks of preparations as I ordered the "best tyres" for this track session and also left my R to SK Garage to have the necessary checks done in order to have a safe track session. For those who think that bringing their rides to the track requires no other extra work, think again. It's minor things like checking the engine oil that determines if your car could last the journey up to Sepang, Malaysia, yet circle the track for X number of laps before heading home to Singapore safely. It is just a simple step to ensure that your daily driven can withstand the track session and the long journey up North.


For those who have been following me on Facebook would have known about my episode at Boundary Road just days before this track session. Imagine it happening on North-South Highway. I'd probably get a earful from the wife and never get to track up North again. Anyway, that was also a blessing in disguise as I got sponsored from FK Massimo! 





Check out my previous review on the FK Massimo Racing 3. And even for this track session, I still swear by this engine oil.


It was so refreshing to breathe the air at Sepang International Circuit (SIC). It's as though the mix of exhaust fumes and hot air emitted by the tracks is the fuel to my life. Just like what Steve McQueen once said, "When you are racing, it's life, anything that happens before or after is just waiting". Hence it's of little wonder why I was grinning from ear to ear as I prepared to hit the tracks.





Apart from sticking on the number decal for the track session this time, I almost didn't had to lift a finger as the Team from SK Garage lend their full support to all their customers.




In case you are wondering how professional the boys from SK Garage are, let's just say that they are "MEN" now.



Dressed in long pants and racing shoes, the 3 brothers team from SK Garage were out in full force to impress that day.

I couldn't find another workshop that had brought more tools than them, and a cooler box with iced-cold drinks!






They even came equipped with the jack and air-gun for tyre change.






As mentioned early, I had order "the world best tyre" for this track session: Yokohama Advan A050


The Yokohama Advan A050 semi slick tyre has been designed for circuit and gymkhana use and is perfect for weekends at the track.

Read more about the tyre on their official website: 
http://www.advanwheels.com.au/tyres/race.aspx


Anyway, call me a control-freak, but I couldn't resist checking the tyre pressure myself despite having the support of SK Garage.




When the car was ready, and the track session started, many cars rushed out to the tracks almost immediately.

 For those who think the tracking is just driving, think again. Tracking is just like any other sports that requires some stretching to warm-up before you hit the tracks. (Perhaps I could talk more about this in another write-up.)

It's hard to stretch and smile at the camera, both at the same time!

It may only be a track session, but safety is always of high regards when it comes to motorsports. And with 101 possibilities of accidents happening, one can never be too safe without proper racing attire. Having finally purchased the racing suit months ago, I decided to go ahead and wear the suit despite many stares from the other trackies. I needed the opportunity to get used to driving with the suit if I was to compete in any competitions at the end of the year.






Even Watt came suited for the track session.




After a few hot laps, I came back beaming with pride. My R had easily clocked 2:38 within the first few laps after the adjustments made to the damping. It was an improvement to my personal best of 2:39 clocked during the Time To Attack last July. I felt a huge load off my back immediately.

It was important to check on the tyre pressure during each pit stop to ensure that the amount  was still within the optimal pressure for the track.



I did a quick check on my tyre pressure before going around to hang out with the other guys who were at the track session. What is going for a track session when you don't get to hang out with friends?

(from left) With Justin and the youngest mechanic at SK Garage, Ah Be.

(From left) With Jonathan from SK Garage, Joshua and, Jon Teo from Lifestyle Motorsports.

With the Director of Lifestyle Motorsport, Niki Tham

It was back on the track after some mingling. This time, I was ready to do what I was there for.

With the best tyres for my R, my game plan for the day was to break the 2:35 barrier before my R take a long rest to prepare for the competitions at the end of the year.





But alas, lady luck was not on my side as my gear box ran into problems moments into second time out on the track: I was unable to engage into the 2nd gear at all!

I came back to the pit despite only clocking a better lap time of 2:37.




It was chaos as I tried to identify and rectify the problem with no avail.

When all else seem to fail, the gear problem seem to go away after the R had cooled down. I decided to let the R rest while I waited for the BLACK HOUR.


The BLACK HOUR is a 1 hour slot of quality time, with a limit of 20 cars on the tracks. Priced at S$350, it is a small amount more than the usual track day rate but with the exclusive use of the track with limited cars. Just the thing I needed to ensure that I have a clear track to clock a good lap.


The BLACK HOUR was at 4pm to 5pm, 1 hour of track session after the usual session ended at 4pm. I was ready to hit the track again, and so was the R. We hit the track once again, taking each corner at ease as we did a warm-up. Then the problem struck again. I was unable to engage the 2nd gear again!


I took the R back to the pit and almost went berserk!




It took a lot to calm me down before I decided to wait it out. Friends started coming over to offer their views of the problem.





Finally at the last 15 minutes of the BLACK HOUR, I decided to head out to the tracks again. This time with much positivity that no matter what time I was able to clock during this final sprint, I had already improved from my previous best of 2:39.





It was not long before I head back to the pit again.




This time, beaming with pride. I had clocked a personal best of 2:35 even though I was unable to engage the 2nd gear to take on turn 02 and 09.

My mechanic and good friend, Jonathan, sharing my joy!

It was a great end to the track session. And despite all the hiccups, I had a blast with everyone present.





Can't wait for November to come for the next track session I could attend!



Update @ 18 July 2013

The gear box was taken apart once we were back in Singapore. Guess what, the clutch pressure plate and synchro gave way! I guess I was lucky to be able to clock 2:35 on such problem, while still being able to drive home safely.