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Gary's Corner |
May 2002
Yes, I have just bought myself a Go-kart. I know absolutely nothing about them but I think this is going to be a great challenge. On the12th of May 2002 I purchased a Birel chassis. I then got hold of a Yamaha 100cc stock motor on the 25th of May 2002. I am still busy learning what else is needed etc. to get the kart on the track. At least I had some websites to access to get me up to speed. I must say that there are many people that are eager to help and get you going.
At this moment I still need to get clothing, gloves, shoes, trolley, sprockets and chains, cables and then some odds and ends to make it happen. I need to get registered and obtain a racing license. This also includes a medical so while I am waiting for all the parts etc I have started a fitness program where I am pumping weights and riding an exercise bike to get the Kilo's down. Yes, I hear the kart and myself must weigh in at 153kg. I will need to loose about 5kg for that to happen with no lead added. Oh I forgot I need to get more money too!!! I am looking at getting a proper sponsor for the entire race season and go in with a big bang but we will see what happens!!!!
June 2002
I have managed to get all the parts now and completed the Kart. Took it for its first spin on Fathers day. Great fathers day present for me. It was great. The Kart handled very nicely to me but will only know when I race with others and see how good it really is. The rear shaft got damaged in the playing about and now need to sort that out. So I will be back in the garage for a while till that is fixed.
The kart is now fixed and ready for racing again. I have now also obtained my racing license and now its just a question of getting to my first race. It looks like I will only be able to race for the first time in August as we are off to Margate for the RC Car nationals. I just cannot seem to get to the track.
Yes, I reached my objective at last and had my first race on the 10th of August. This was really a great experience and cannot believe how enjoyable it can really be. Let me tell you no matter if you are last or first the adrenalin is pumping plenty! I qualified with the worst lap time of 56.5 second to the pole time of 52.6 seconds By the end of the day I was doing 55.2 seconds so for my first days racing I am very pleased. Let me tell you that I now also understand how difficult it is to actually overtake on the race track. It looks so easy watching it on TV until you get behind the wheel yourself. I have now gone to the drawing board and worked on the Kart as I would really like to get into the 54 second lap times. My biggest problem now is that I was 7 Kg over weight and need to get rid of some kilo`s there. This is a serious handycap that I have put on myself and will definitely need to get within the weight limit. My Kart weight category is 153kg and I weighed in at 160 kg. So I cannot expect to get to the performance the others are getting quite yet but that's not going to stop me from trying. Let me tell you that the top guys measure off grams to comply to the weight at the end of the race. Well, the next race is on the 24th and hope to see an improvement.
24th Aug
Well, I had my race on the 24th and my efforts definitely paid off. I lost a couple of kilograms too and weighed in at 156 kg. This must have helped. I changed my Pipe length and also changed my gearing and at the end of the day I was clocking 54.3 seconds round the track. That put me 6th at the end of the days racing which to me was quite a good improvement and I feel I reached my personal objective. All was not however great as doing these better times also put a strain on myself. After every heat I could feel my Ribs paining more and more. On my last heat I could hardly see myself starting the race let alone finishing it. However once the race was on all was forgotten and the adrenaline was pumping. A week later I could still not breath properly so I decided to see the doctor. After a trip to the x-ray theater I was informed that I had actually broken a rib. I new there was something wrong but did not think that it was actually broken. So being a rib there is nothing I can really do and Doctors orders is I have to keep it calm for at least 6 weeks. Dam! @&%$!!
December 2002
Yes, I am better according to the doctors and am ready to start a new season of racing next year. Will be replacing my seat so that I do not break a RIB again though.
December 2002
Can you believe it! Just when you think all is OK I have to do it again? I was working on my roof to build a new study and after I removed the tiles we have to get rain. So in the rush to get plastic over the roof I slipped and fell through the ceiling. Yes, what do I have to go and break. Not one rib but now two ribs number 6 and 7. This time on the right side. Well another 6 weeks for me. This is a bit of a joke. But Sh*&t happens I guess.
ENJOY !
Webmaster: Gary Baldwin Last Updated: 18 Apr 2006