First time leaving the Sepang Pit Lane
SEPANG INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT – 1st Test
Simulator training is everything.
I spent 2 weeks on the simulator training in the lead up to my first ever testing, in any sort of car on a Formula One track. Getting to know the 15 turns of the Sepang International Circuit before hand, certainly helped with one less (fixed) factor in my preparation.
Throughout my simulator training, I have to admit there were moments of frustration, knowing that once I was on the real circuit, there was no reset button, should I go off track. I had to be patient and get the very basic knowledge down (in no order of importance):
1.The Racing Lines on Circuit (corners, entries, exits & apexes)
2.The Braking Points
3.Track Ethics (leaving and re-entering the pit-lane, flags)
4.Driving Technique (where my hands should be placed at all times)
5. Gear Changing
Strapped and ready to roll.
Now you can see why knowing all the 15 turns, helps clear one item using up any concentration. One contradiction of feeling though, was the unusual lack of emotions. While driving up to Sepang from Singapore, I blurted out to Yuey Tan, that I had butterflies. For all of those 10 minutes before turning off into the garage, I unexpectedly packed those feelings up (for perhaps another day), suited up and got buckled in. I had two days to test on Sepang and I wanted the best out of my training and conserving my emotions seemed to be the right thing to do.
I can’t lie that there was a massive realisation driving out of the pit-lane of where I was , going into T1. It was a great feeling warming up my tires for the next two laps and translating my simulator knowledge onto the real circuit. Some may say, it is the perfect traffic jam at the red light coming out of the pit-lane.With Audi’s, Ferrari’s, Porsches and McLaren’s whizzing by me, I had to keep my lines and keep calm. It’s not every day you see these exotic cars at full throttle in your mirrors, gunning towards you.
Watching my vBox and GoPro with Lai Wee Seng
At the end of the two days held on the 1st and 3rd March, I bumped into a friend, Earl Bamber( Overall winner of Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2013) ,
He asked me, “How was your first experience?”,
I replied, ” I wish I had one more day to test and gain more track time” to which his simple response with a smile resonated with me,
“Well, that’s Motorsport for you!”.
With my EduTorque sponsors!
Pasir Gudang Circuit – 2nd Test
They say you can never get enough mileage in Motorsport. I had heard all sorts of comments about Pasir Gudang, notorious for its uneven track, distracting walls and drop-offs, but at the same time technical and ridiculously fun, once you get over the initial ‘visual awe’ of the 3.8km, 12 cornered circuit. The aim of the game was to go out and practice my trail braking and get used to that unnatural feeling of turning into a corner as I let off the brakes. Practising my entries and exits, would mean tenths of seconds off my timing, on every corner.
If there is anything I found, the harder you concentrated, at times of eagerness, I stiffened up and made more mistakes. Like braking and throttle application, modulating my senses and ‘relaxing’ was the key to an unexpected good lap, which would repeat itself when I figured out what I needed to do, to remain consistent.
With forest fires curling around the circuit lips, I built up my confidence and soon forgot about the drop-offs in to the trees. The track conditions chewed up my front tires, every 7-10 laps, but as always, there is a first for everything in Motorsport. Keeping your eyes on track is key as I learnt, as distraction tempts you to look elsewhere.
At the end of my 2 hour session, I left with a smile on my face. Man was Pasir Gudang an adventure! My instructor Lai Wee Sing, told me that 1min 55sec would be a good effort, and I left with a 1min 52 sec, knowing that I did not push my limits, as I had my car to conserve before the race.
Pasir Gudang, I’ll see you Monday!
