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Monday, June 30, 2008

Star Drift Round 2 - Hard Work

Well the event came and gone and it felt like a few more days would have been fun. It was a tiring event as I was driving so much and fun with playing with the lines and playing with the in cab Kung fu doing everything in one go with much excitement going on as oppose to the norm.

Sat was pretty hot day. It was smoky though and fun to drift as well as the speeds were fast and once again, there is a fast transition was included. Although the Sat was not as packed as tyres were worn pretty fast with the speed and hot day combine thus conserving tyres to ensure we end up with enough to run the competition on Sunday was going to be important if it turned out just as hot.



Yoong, unfortunately have a blown turbo after going out for about 3 laps. Luckily a new turbo was available at Drift House AKA Joe Han AKA Donut Dweeb. Thus Yoong did the deed of driving back to KL to get it and returned to Melaka. He and Joe Han were hard at work replacing the turbo in a couple of hard labour in the scorching heat. Lucky we hard the canopy as well.

I, on the other hand was really enjoying the track layout. The car perform well without any hick up even with the oil temp hitting 120 degrees most of the time. Time to think of what engine oil that can hold up to sustain high temp and not self destruct the engine after prolong use. Maybe need to plan for oil changes next time to just make sure the engine is always fresh.

Sunday, was eventful, Wanting to just make sure I get into Top16 qualifying. No longer can play around and do my normal show driving as I know I am going to get shot if I do it again. First run was ok as I felt like I was not fast enough as it felt like I almost lost the tail but it did not. So it was good. Second run was good and clean thus give it all it got for third run which was up to the clipping point. Did not managed to hit it though. but din plan to do it as I did wan to wash off too much speed just to hit the clipping point. Keep it clean and get into Top 16 was my plan. turn out well as I qualified 6th placing

Yoong, did even better, he qualified in 3rd position. Although, he is in a standard car with a standard Rb20, which no one seems believes. Guess he can push it to the max and get it to go well and the ability of the Dunlop Direzza Dz 101 to grip and smoke it up, really give a great chance to perform well.



This time round we were practising with 245/45/17 and ran 255/45/17 for the competition. Great opportunity for us to test different sizes and what it will do and also run different tyre pressures to test grip levels and drift angle we can hold. Found out even if we run till the tyres were almost slicks, we were still able to get good grip to run till the tyres were on nylon before we had to change. Did not feel it over heated either which was great too to run more laps. If only the oil could cold down faster or not heat up as much. do wonder what engine oil to try to get the job done.

It did seemed an interesting Tandem battle. Seems the tyre brand were almost competition each other. Even Team Dunlop drivers, Yoong and myself had to meet each other in Top 8 if we win our TOP 16 battles which we did.



Since Yoong was 3rd qualifier it was only natural he needed the win to ensure he stay in the top running for the championship as well as trying to secure a podium finish. I tried experimenting with following as close as possible but ended up straighting up as I got too close and did not want to come near hitting my own team mate's car. Second run decided to make as much smoke since I would have not won the first run obviously. But ended got on the throttle to early due to my enthusiasm. Had a glance and saw Yoong pretty close so I decided to just head straight thru the tyres to give him more room. Gave him a shocked though. And not to mention the three photographers too who were wondering where I am going. Saw the facing expression of total surprise which were priceless. And no, I was not close to hitting them just enough to scare them. Sorry guys had to tell the story. Still can't help to see your faces.

After a long and fast 2 day my manifold gave up and is now leaking like a snake hissing on full throttle. Need to get it repaired soon. At least it hold up for the great two days. And both cars needs new number plates again.

Yoong progress to Top 4 but lost his battle. I think his 1st gear stuck in place and was stuck for a few second before he could engaged into 2nd gear.

Due to Djan losing his battle he was relegated to 3rd position, which now puts Yoong in 4th placing. I was like damn all the planning gone to waste. Oh well that how it goes with motor sports I guess , the smallest mistake changes a lot.

Yoong now is 4th place in the championship which he is still in the running for top placing still.

The nest round is planned to be in Bukit Jalil now to coincide with Merdeka celebrations.

The Date is set on 28-31 August. Yes you are reading it right. Star Drift is going to be four days long this time. First ever. Time to prepare early to get the car ready again.

Hope to see everybody there again and watch the action. Crossing my finger the bump can be avoided this time round. I really hate those bump and jumps. And does not help to know Yoong's corner is always there with open arms.

Photos to come of course by Yoong soon.

Photo's taken by Schoolgirl/Siew Kin aka MrN wife as usual. Our official photographer and videographer.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Kompleks Sukan Negara Drift Session 22nd June



We decided to participate in this drift session as a practise for Star Drift Challenge Round 2 a week after.

The layout of the drift course resembles the D1 preview round in 2006. Despite my mishap in this layout back in 2006, I decided to push it a little this time. The course is still as bumpy as before, with drainage holes in the middle of the course.



Entry is 3rd gear into a middle speed 2nd gear corner, and full throttle all the way until the finishing line. To my awe, the rear tyres of the Dunlop 32 finished in less than 10 laps! I have to readjust the camber on the rear and dropped the tyre pressure. Adjustment value is limited though as the rear upper arms are stock.

Was about to went out for practice again but then the sky opened.



Tandem drift contest started 4pm in the afternoon. Each team were given 2 sets of runs where team mates need to switch position in each set. The key is to be as synchronised as possible while drifting through the course.

Due to different engine configurations of the Dunlop 13 and Dunlop 32, we spent most of our time matching speed in the first corner during practice. Everything was going fine until the judging runs, where the Dunlop 13 seems to be having problem with front end grip, and understeered in the first corner.

Having too little time to troubleshoot, we had to complete the runs, with a not so satisfying result.

I have a suspicion that the ride height in the Dunlop 13 is incorrect, which contributes to the handling problems it had. Will have to do some minor adjustments before Star Drift Challenge Round 2.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Mosquito control



My garage is like a tyre warehouse now with a total of 44 tyres stacking up for the events on the next two consecutive weekends. There's a mixture of 17s sized 225/45, 245/40 and 255/40, all getting ready to contribute their part for dengue prevention. :)

We'll be at Kompleks Sukan Negara Bukit Jalil Carpark A this coming Sunday (22nd) for the team tandem contest. I will of course pair up with Sean in the Dunlop drift machines. Event starts from 9am-6pm. Do drop by and check it out!

Monday, June 16, 2008

Star Drift Challenge Round 2


Once again, the most exciting drift event coming for its 2nd installment of year 2008.

Although there were no upgrades on the Dunlop drift machines since the previous round, I've however did some lightening work on the Dunlop 32. I shall see how weight reduction will affect the handling of the car before deciding to increase the power output or further stiffen up the chassis.

Thrill rides tickets will be available at the ticketing counter if you wish to have a ride in the Dunlop drift machines. :)

Don't miss this event as this is where you'll see the best of the best in Malaysia go against each other.

For more info, go to www.drift.com.my/stardrift

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Team Tandem Competition 21/06/08

Looks like next week is going to be an interesting one again after a long long period of no smoking....

It will not be the usual full on Top 16 battle but this time round it would a free practice followed by a Team Tandem battle, which means two team drivers will drive tandem and coordinate to do a show. Sort of a ballet on wheels with all the discipline of drifting.

Would be interesting, as this type of competiton rarely happens, last I can think of was like 2-3 years ago.

Time to practice and learn new rules and formats.

Always good for the spectators to watch as they would love the angle, smoke and close running of two car almost kissing each other, going into the corner side by side...... and still trying to match each other rather than overtaking or just getting close by

After that would be Star Drift In Melaka on the 28-29 June for Round 2 of the championship.

See you guys there...

Monday, June 9, 2008

Aero Catch from Garage R


An Aero catch bonnet latch system from Garage R, it is something that looks really cool and best of all if the vehicle bonnet lock fails me again like during Formula Drift at least I have peace of mind that i can lock it.

Can't wait for my bonnet to arrive and get it installed.

And for my car to be ready again with the new project upgrade.



Sunday, June 8, 2008

Under Ground Tuners Stage 1

Thought I add in the video made by UnderGround Tuners during the first preview of the event in KL at I Zone Pub and Bistro


Friday, June 6, 2008

Rainforest Sports Bar Grand Opening, 2nd June


DCM is once again invited to team up with The Underground Tuners for the grand opening of Rainforest Sports Bar at Pavilion Shopping Center downtown. Due to the short notice, only a handful of us were present. Sean was unable to make it as the OMS Drift Performer is still under preparation.


The cars were supposed to be there for exhibition (parking) together with models photoshoot. However, as the night goes, I suggested that we should hype up the atmosphere a bit as there were VIPs around. As a result of it, I performed a donut in front of the bar, on a 2-lane width road. The crowd enjoyed it!

More pictures of the event here.