Karting

[ExtremeNinja]

Cheers Fenders. I've got a little forking out to do. Must definitely get a helmet-cam. I was also the only guy without his own kit and that just won't do. My knackered old vans plimsoles looked a bit odd amongst a sea of Alpine Stars race boots.

So, shopping list:

Helmet
Race-suit
Under-suit
Boots
Gloves
Helmet-cam

I doubt any of this will make me go faster , though. I've now got 7 weeks of watching Bay Meadows on-boards on You Tube.

 

[Fenderman]

Good man. Always good to have your priorities in the right order

 

[sushifiesta]

If you want priorities I would go: Helmet, (rib protector), gloves, boots, race suit, helmet cam, under suit.

I bruised a rib after my first trip to Llandow so if you find that becomes an issue for you too I'd definitely recommend getting a rib protector. The only things I have are a helmet and rib protector, so I have some shopping to do too if I get get everything sorted!

A knew a few people who got dirt cheap helmet cams off ebay (search for something like mini helmet cam or something along those lines on ebay). You can definitely get a lot better quality by spending a lot more, but you have to balance that with the risk of the camera coming off and being run over (if you spend a lot and you can insure it that would seem like a good idea!).

 

[Fenderman]

. I should have noticed gloves were a bit far down the list. Oops.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Ha. They weren't on the list. I edited them in when I remembered the blisters on my palms.

Gonna stick my company logo on the lot and claim back on it all as an advertising excercise. (Well, I might check with the accountant first).

Good call on the rib-protector, sushifiesta. I saw quite a few guys wearing them and I went I to the tyres pretty hard a few times. Got a few bruises but I could I agile that it could have even worse.

Great advice.

 

[Fenderman]

"Ha. They weren't on the list" Good one!

 

[gethinceri]

That's one way of explaining away blistered palms. How I wish I'd had a Kart as a teenager, it would've been a great cover.

 

[Viscount]

Just came across this clip on facebook of one of the races on Saturday at Llandow. You might wanna try this 360 overtaking manouevere next time Ninja!

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Ahhhh ha ha ha! I tried that a few times. Or you might have thought that's what I was going for if you were ill informed and had a higher estimation of my skills and experience.

 

[Fenderman]

I bet that would have looked even more fascinating viewed from a heli-cam

 

[Greenlantern101]

Is this you Ninja loosing your cool ?

 

[gethinceri]

Fuck me! Mr Angry Pants or what?

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Errrr... not yet! Maybe one day if I don't get my ice lolly before the race and I find out one of my competitors have eaten it.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Tonight at Docklands Raceway

Pole Position
Fastest Lap (personal best) 42.14
Race Winner
Lapped second place on final lap

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Didn't mention I went back for some more on Saturday.

3 races, 3 poles, 3 wins.

I think it's fair to say I have that place nailed. Whilst the victories are now coming fairly easily in the indoor karts - I do have the advantage of track time - I'm now able to concentrate on my racecraft. I'm picking and choosing my lines and opportunities much better now, staying out of trouble and improving my laptimes. Hopefully all of this will transfer when I next jump back in the two-strokes.

 

[ExtremeNinja]

One week to go before my next Club 100 race at Bayford Meadows. A week of butterflies, apprehension and studying on board lap videos ahead for me.

http://www.club100.info/bayford.htm

 

[ExtremeNinja]

Oh, I finished a lap and a half ahead of 2nd place at docklands last time round. 7 laps of 30 in the 41s too making mincemeat of my personal bests.

 

[sushifiesta]

Unfortunately I won't be at Bayford, may still try and get to an event or two over the summer but I need to get moving and figure out plans etc.

 

[Jos the Boss]

Sounds like good fun, have you two ever raced each other?

 

[sushifiesta]

No, we'd be in different weight classes anyway... from the sound of it I suspect I'd come out second best though!