Questions 1 and 2 - Mikko Nassi has written a complete guide to the Shah Alam track which tells you everything about braking, accelerating, cornering, steering etc. Take a look at http://morris-racing.com/kartingmalaysia/shah-alam-karting-track-driving-guide.php

Question 3 - Jeans are acceptable, however I would always recommend you to protect yourself with as much protective apparel as possible. If you have gloves, I strongly recommend you use them and make sure you wear sensible footwear and not slippers!

Question 4 - Refer to http://morris-racing.com/kartingmalaysia/driving_tips1.php

Hope this helps you. Have fun in your event and remember to put SAFETY at the forefront of your mind at all times.

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Da Lobster

timmsm thank you very much for your input...although I am still curious about one thing, does trail braking works with the 80cc kart? Or is there a better way?

Des,

I think you are not a newbie as I recall ur name from somewhere before.

Anyhow, on 80cc you dun trail brake since the speeds are too slow. From my memory, you probably brake in a few locations on this track.....

If the kart set-up is correct, you also dun need to brake but then dun quote me.

Have fun.

Shy to ask this, what is trail braking?

Braking point on 80cc kart at CK? uhhh, brakes? never used them! Maybe I'm too slow to use them.

As Jules mentioned, you rarely use the brakes on a good setup 80cc kart unless the kart is exceptionaly fast for it's class.

The brakes are mostly used during attacking or defending only.

As far as I can recall, there are only 2 braking points at CK circuit.

Clockwise direction
1) Turn 1 at the start/finish straight (only light dab of braking is required)
2) Turn 10 hairpin after the parabolic

Just my 200 Vietnam Dong worth of opinion

yeah... i also wonder the term trail braking...

so you are not alone in the confuse

Just Googled it and got this...

Trail braking is a motorcycle riding and driving technique where the brakes are used beyond the entrance to a turn and are gradually released up to the point of apex.

In applying this technique, motorcycle riders approach turns applying both front and rear brakes to reduce speed. As they enter the turn, they partially release the brakes, as to keep only partial brakes throughout the turn. This will give more traction as the front tire is forced into the pavement.

This technique is commonly used when racing, but can enhance control and add more evasive options for street riders making it very worthwhile to learn or at least understand. Be aware that excessive trail braking can result in a loss of grip as the tire's adhesion is split between braking and cornering forces. It will also noticeably affect the motorcycle behaviour (as in handling).

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Da Lobster

then would it apply to our the 80cc kart? IMHO dun think so...

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Boost...what is boost if u r not a heavy footer...

Let me just clear up some things, trail braking when applied to go kart is this:

http://karting1.co.uk/braking-karting.htm

Give it a good read, based on what you guys have said I guess it only works on karts with high speeds.

So let me get this straight, on an 80CC kart on City Karting, I almost don't have to brake at all except at those 2 points mentioned? But does this still mean that there are times where I should be lifting my foot off the throttle a little?

Also I would like to ask this, for the 80CC karts do driving line matter? Since there is almost no braking to be done I would assume that how you turn into corners are not that important? Or is the racing line still very critical?

Btw is turn 10 the almost 180 degree right hand turn?

Thanks to all of those who have helped out, I really appreciate it

Depending on your speed of entry and kart handling.

Bingo

Oh yes! Or you will be running onto the kerbs or the grass.

That's the corner I'm referring to.

I'm not sure if that turn is called turn 10 or turn 11. Turn 10 if the right kink on the long straight is not taken into account.

Nohad is this the same turn 10 as the one in the pic below:

http://morris-racing.com/kartingmalaysia/images/trackguides/shah_alam_track_guide_big.gif

Once again thanks to all who have contributed

As per the sketch, it is turn 7

Thanks Nohad, I assume Turn 1 is the same ya?

Mikko marked it as T10 (right kink is not worth calling a cornor apparently) and this is assuming you run clockwise starting on the straight smack in front of the watch tower.

NO, it is marked as T10 in the sketch.

Bear in mind that the present start/finish line is between T9 & T10 (as per the sketch).

Ah thanks Nohad, so I assume the current course would start from T9-T10 and proceed to T11 T12 etc etc as per the sketch?

Bingo

Racing line is EVERYTHING on any type of karts...oh boy, I see you have mighty lot to learn but the My-Kart ppl will be patient with you.

Trail braking? Come to HPC and we can teach u this....but then we are talking about cars.

Btw, please see Mikko's diagram as a guide cos it sure is not valid for a 80cc....or even my driving style on the 125cc ( at least some corners )

Hi Jules, got time this Saturday for a lesson or two ? Thanks

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neat, balance and practical

By telling other people you dont brake in a kart maybe cool but you'll never learn basic racing technique fundamentals. Call me slow and not matter what, I would still brake in a 80cc kart.

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That's becos u r always faster than me on 80cc kart bro .

But on counter-clockwise direction, you will definitely need brakes for the right hair-pin turn (2nd turn after the start/finish straight)& the left hair-pin turn (after the long straights).

Jules, that is indeed Mikko's guide, or have I missed something? Could you then guide me to the correct one?

Thanks to all those who have helped out so far

Well I think that if there is really no need to brake, then why should you? But that is a valid point (you wont be able to learn proper racing fundamentals), but perhaps you can learn those when you go up to a higher kart?

The steering wheel is the brake......understand this and you know how to go faster...

Steering wheel is the brake? As far as i concern, real race drivers out there uses more power on throttle than steering input. Different people different technique.

Des : You could seek jules for coaching. He's super quick and pro.

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Jules has his "Zen" technique for 80cc kart

For beginners, I would suggest concentrate on the basics first : brake in a straight line, apex, racing line, steering and throttle control, then only try out "Zen" techniques!

Personally, the lap in which I felt I have driven the slowest always turn out to have the best lap time. Slow in, fast out and be smooth. You will feel slow but your lap times will show otherwise.

"I look slow but I am actually fast"
haha ring a bell

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neat, balance and practical

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neat, balance and practical

i tend to agree with Sabelt, i use brakes on the 80cc as well. not using brakes sounds cool. but i do use the brakes..

Trail Braking,
Here a simple explanation for trail braking, Generally, trail braking means that a driver brakes at the braking point and ease off the brake pressure while turining into the apex . This allows the driver to late brake without wanting to lock up their brakes. so he generally drags his braking point till the turn in point while easing off on the brake pressure to allow grip for the veichle to turn into the apex and exit.

My two cents worth .

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Races are not won in the first corner; However, they are often lost there

During the A1TM event, my team suffered with a seriously oversteer kart. Well the speed is there on straight but no matter how slow try to take corner, the kart just run wide and if we steer more....we end up spinning like top!! Any idea how to tackle this? Also...A1TM did 1:11.449s (CW) anyone notice how they did that?

1:11.449s was achieved by smooth driving by our smooth young man Jazeman! He can teach us "old dogs" a trick or two ...hmm...maybe he can conduct a short clinic next time (I certainly need some expert help!) ..

ran on a 80cc? the kart jazeman used was balloted i assume?

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Boost...what is boost if u r not a heavy footer...

It helps that Jazeman is only 14, so his weight should be around 40-50kg? Don't forget he must have done at least 3,000 laps round the City Karting track.