All I do is race

Blog moved

2011-02-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

I have moved blog. Something a bit more formal and also will write in Japanese.

Alex Magnum is born!

Home page (when the server works) is here
alexmagnum.com
And blog is still on blogger despite the custom domain here

ブログを改善したよ～ん。ここ！
ホームページも！

The road to Suzuka part 2, 125cc Superkart

2010-10-25T04:54:00.000-07:00

I've made another video - hurrah! It's a bit more motion sickness though. I mounted the camera on my helmet in an effort to smooth out the action but as you can see, it hasn't worked well! But it really does give you a good idea of how brutal these machines are:

0 - 100kph in around 3.5s
6 Speed sequential gearbox
140 kph top speed (and 180kph on a full sized circuit)
Disc brakes front and rear.

Thanks to Kart Service Hata (link on the left).

Hill climb

2010-09-19T08:26:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in ages but I have to share this:

World drift championship Part2: Quick video

2010-06-23T03:27:00.000-07:00

Just before I leave for Europe for 5 weeks, here is a quick video I knocked up of my mini-Z drifting - more motion sickness!

RC Drift World Championship: Part 1

2010-05-23T07:47:00.001-07:00

See video here!!

Y'know, there's lots of things I like about Japan (and a few things I don't - i.e. cash machines usually close by 7pm...) but currently my most favourite thing is the uninhabited Mini-Z track a short bicycle ride away that happens to be available 24 hours a day. Which is lucky, else I wouldn't be able at all with my salary man hours.

Circuit even has a compressor for cleaning!

Well, since I haven't touched any of my models since last October, I suppose I'm in need of the practice. I've also updated my trusty Mini-Z AWD to a more drift friendly spec: Front one way, locked rear diff (using the 'balloon' method, which works on the Mini-Z gear diff), and replacement of a few worn out parts with strengthened components or just straight replacements. Come to think of it, what is left on my Mini-Z that is original?? The electrics and the drive shaft is about it!

So small, and so cool

On-board karting video

2010-05-05T06:24:00.000-07:00

Finally finished editing yesterday. You might get sick if you watch too closely though!

Engine change

2010-03-14T05:56:00.000-07:00

I've bought a new engine. It's not as quick as the old one but is nearly there. "But why?," I hear you ask, "why get a slower engine??" The answer is very simple. I've changed class and require this specific engine to compete. I could hire one but the cost of doing so over a year would probably be the same as buying one, and I wouldn't be able to practice on it either. Ah well, it wasn't 'too' expensive (these things are all relative after all) - 600 odd quid for a new engine is pretty good - and it's an old school, direct drive, air cooled 100cc too. The way club level karting should be... [insert argument here]

Mmmm...Engine.... (I had to post at least one picture didn't I??)

I broke the engine in today which was totally painless. It was kinda nice to pootle around the circuit and not go at it like a juvenile dog humping the armchair. I did break one of the seat stays though. Apparently it's pretty common, especially on the engine side due to the vibration. A quick bit of welding sorted it out.

The second round is in two weeks (^___________^) [that's a really big smile by the way]

Busy weekend of all the good stuff!

2010-02-23T05:01:00.000-08:00

Saturday was good. We changed the brakes on the car (above) and changed all the oils (gearbox, engine etc..) Helped out (well, drank a lot of tea and coffee!) at the enjoy granp prix in Suzuka too. Morning after went to Mihama for my first ever car race and picked up class win, and overall fastest lap (thanks to Wakida-san!!) Awesome weather and awesome day - what more can I say - thanks to the team for some quality driving - see you all for Spa Nishiura on the 4th April!
Better yet, someone has posted up a video of the last 10 mins or so of the race, and you can see the number 72 screaming on through!

New career in cars.

2010-02-19T06:14:00.000-08:00

I tested this at the Minami (south) circuit of Suzuka 2 weekends ago.

(Yes, that is snow in the background!)

It is..... an automatic, but races in a class for automatics so it's not so bad. Only a 1.3 too, but managed a very respectable 1min 6.6 . Best part is, thanks to K&G i'll be racing it this Sunday with the rest of the team. Currently in a Hotel in Suzuka waiting till tomorrow. First we'll be stripping down and rebuilding the front hub as it doesn't look like it'll last the 4 hour race. Then staying in Suzuka and racing at Mihama circuit it Aichi on Sunday. 5 drivers over 4 hours, should be really good fun!

Someone driving an FD at Suzuka Minami course:

Fighting fit!

2010-01-31T22:41:00.000-08:00

Having recovered from last year, this year I've been trying to build up my fitness. What a difference it has made. I've been to the track every weekend for the last four weeks, and except for the first race meeting of this year that was held last week, I've pumped out over 100 laps each time. I've also improved my lap time (on new tires) to a 36.8s.Race day last week was good, but a little disappointing. I've changed to the 'freshman' class which is for newcomers. It means an engine change (which I hired) which is the first one I've done. I qualified 5th. I didn't think it was too bad a lap but I thought I'd do worse considering the level of the competition. I'm still finding it hard to get the heat into the tires for the first lap.

Nicely cocking a wheel

The qualifying race was good, a nice move to get from 5th to fourth. Then the final. Popped into 3rd which would have been good if I'd of stayed there, but a mistake on the last corner in last few laps dropped me to fifth. Disappointing, but I learnt a lot.

Getting some post race advice. (Thanks to Yoshie for the pictures).

I won't be karting for the next few weeks, but I will be driving next week on the Minami Course at Suzuka. Real cars! :)

Endurance racing in Aichi

2009-12-25T20:02:00.000-08:00

I went and saw an endurance race to meet a race team. They are called K&G and are based in Suzuka and run the 'recreation motorsports club.'

They race in 4 hour endurance races with multiple drivers in production cars - looks like a lot of fun and not too bad for the wallet. I was surprised to see that the car was an automatic though, but they racing in their own separate class for automatics. Costs are kept down as the team meets once a month to do all the maintenance themselves.

With it being a team, there is also an opportunity to learn from getting your hands dirty, and also from group meetings where we try out other cars. First 'Soukoukai' is in February - I'm looking forward to it. I'm going to try and see if I can fit in an FJ1600 (although I'm not hopeful as I'm 190cm (6ft3)).

A new tire 2 and a half hours ago! Quick pit work still resulted in second in class.

FJ1600 (stands for Formula Japan) - I shall fit I shall fit!

Visiting Inagawa circuit

2009-12-14T02:18:00.000-08:00

I was planning on taking park in this meeting at Inagawa in Hyogo prefecture but have decided to let the body recover in the off season with a view to getting back in the saddle in the new year. I was glad I did too as there were 2 very nasty crashes during the finals.

In the Rotax class someone got (leaned?) into the tire barrier (the one at the right hand side of the picture above) which strew tires all over the circuit and bought out the red flag. The driver was limping but seemed ok, but I think he'll need a new frame. Another crash happened in the expert class where the 4 leaders were all pushing each other. Right at the end of the straight (and Inagawa has a very long one) just as the leader was getting on the brakes he got turned into the pit wall and was thrown out of the kart. It was a good sight to see him get up (while his body was still spinning in the middle of the track) , then run and jump over the pit wall!

Some handy footage from on-board from You Tube:

And where it is:

大きな地図で見る

Win Win Win!!

2009-11-29T06:06:00.000-08:00

Today was pretty much the last race of the season. I was worried about entering because my ribs (yes I know, I'm still whining about them...) and they hurt but they were ok. This is the first race for me as an owner driver so really I consider this my first proper race.

After practice we had time trials to decide the grid positions for the heat. After, I kept getting told how slow I was through a couple of corners (which I expected) so I wasn't expecting a good time. The field of other drivers was pretty handy too, almost certainly the most experienced field I've ever raced against - so I was pretty shocked to have stuck in on the front row! Turns out I did a corker of a last lap, breaking my personal best - nice!

Next was the heat, and I'm pretty sure that I couldn't run as fast as the other guys so I really wanted to get into first place on the first lap and then drive the widest kart possible. Unbelievably, I managed it. I ended up driving side by side for half a lap but I stuck it in the gap and then kept my head until the end of the race - pole for the final.

Finally the race. All I had to do was stay in front. I knew I didn't have the pace so if anyone got by me they'd be gone. So again I drove the widest kart - and that's how I won. The last 2 of the 15 laps lasted forever but I improved my personal best to 37.282.

So, 4 races this year (1 rental pro-kart race in the UK early last year), 2 second places and 2 wins. Not bad, but I need more experience and practice to be able to mix with the big boys (the fast guys in the expert class are doing 36.4s!). I've learnt 1 thing though: Karting is really hard! I need to work on my fitness and stop being such a lazy git.

If you want to play where's Wally you can see the results here (written in Japanese though, but my picture stands out like a sore thumb).

The grid for the expert class race

First proper days practice

2009-10-31T06:18:00.000-07:00

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!

2009-10-17T02:03:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

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

2009-10-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

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:

View Larger Map

Where I live and where to go racing!

2009-09-28T05:45:00.000-07:00

Just to fill you in...

I live in Wakayama City, of Wakayama prefecture. It's in an area of Japan known as Kansai.

View Larger Map

I currently do most of my model car racing at TM Circuit. For those of you that know me try and see if you can spot me - it a bit like where's Wally, which should be easy since (according to my Japanese friends) I look strikingly like him... If you can't spot me there's another lovely picture here!

I'm racing my mini here at the monthly night race - the level is very high, I've yet to make it into the A main, but I'm getting closer each time (last time out I was pole on for the B main).
This track is also popular with nitro cars, with a lot of people racing in the Kyosho cup. I'm getting back into engines after a few years off. I'll inform you of my progress as I go.
TM circuit is a bit of a trek in the car, but locally there is a mini-Z track which is available for practice 24-7. Places like this are why I love Japan. Well, that and the 1 liter cans of beer...

(It still counts as 1!)

First post

2009-09-27T05:17:00.000-07:00

Did some racing of Tamiya minis yesterday. I'll try and put some video up later in the week. I went to Sakai kart Land today to watch some kart racing. I should've been racing my-self except I broke my ribs a few weeks back and am still out. First post so please forgive me for being short, sweet and pretty much meaningless. Sorry!

If you want more then check out my old blog from when I was last in Japan.