Much as I love to Kart, I am very aware of the premium price to time cost of the same. So yesterday, when I finished the race and felt cheated, it didn't feel as bad as wrongly being given out 'Caught behind', this was much worse! Here is how the events panned out...
As soon as it was decided that we would go Karting that evening, the mind switched off from work (like it needed an invitation!) and started plotting racing lines that would enable me to shave away tenths from my lap times. As always, excitement was coursing through the veins when we reached the venue. The long day at work seemed like it was ages ago. Here I was, ready to attack the track with the bag of tricks learnt the last time around and in the process lower my personal best lap time.
That thought changed immediately after I realized that there were going to be ten racers on track. So, I prepared myself to forget lap times and focus on the art of overtaking. Starting 9th put me one spot from where I wanted to be on this venture. Starting 10th would have provided ample opportunity for overtaking, while also ensuring that my buddy, Bicker, does not get the chance to overtake me on track. Instead, I would get every chance to give him a miserable night's sleep. Anyway, in spite of the aforementioned threat, I wasn't quite worried, since, over the past few months, it had become amply clear to both of us that he did not represent any threat to me on track. Through the initial laps, I ensured that no kamikaze moves were tried before the tires really got up to temperature. Having negotiated the phase carefully, I overtook the Kart in front of me and set off in pursuit of the greater challenges that lay ahead.
As the lap count increased, the chemistry that had developed between Kart, track and myself through previous visits, just wasn't there. The hairpin which I had mastered previously was giving me trouble every single time. The Kart was all over the place and I sensed that a spin wasn't too far away. Noticeably, Bicker, who started around 3 seconds after I did, was maintaining the gap and at times closing it too. Lapping a couple of backmarkers ensured that the I clawed back some of the lost time, however, the mind was confused about the pace I was doing. It was unusually chilly that evening, and I was working out a theory to blame it on that.
Lap 8, I was behind Kart Number 9 (KN9) and ready to pass. Three laps later, the gap was the same and I was struggling to keep pace. Lap 10 proved to be a race breaker. Coming up to a medium speed corner, KN9 and the Kart he was lapping (KN24) collided right in front of me and having nowhere else to go, I joined the pileup. This meant that Bicker went past and so did a couple of the race leaders (lapped!). After disentangling us, the race marshal directed me to clear out before KP9 (Oh boy! Did that lead to a frustrating race for him!!!). So, soon enough, I lapped KN24 and set off hoping to figure out the great mystery of the lack of pace.
Rather than provide details about the jousting between KN9 and myself that followed, let me waste no time in stating that from lap 10 through lap 28, he was right there behind me with no way past! I was well aware that he was faster than me (that day!), but just as overtaking is an art, so is defensive driving! So, there I was, comfortably keeping the challenger at bay, but struggling for lap times in the overall scheme of things. Through the rest of the race, I did NOT catchup with a single racer. Just lapped a few of the slow ones. So, in spite of having 10 karts on track, I had a clear track through most of the race and and yet, ended up a whole second on average slower than last time around.
It was midway through the race, when I figured out the issue. Blame it on whatever, but it took me 14 laps to figure out the kart that I was given, was accelerating way too much when I took my foot off the brake. Thus, the braking distances that were learnt the last time around (and ready to be applied this time around), did no good simply because, the Kart was way too fast through the corners if the brakes weren't applied while turning. And as any Kart racer should know, that isn't the style for a quick lap time. So, after the realization hit home, it was all about taming the Kart through the corners than racing it through them. Frustrated! However, not as much as the racer aboard KN9, I assume. In spite of being a couple of tenths faster than me over the course of the entire lap, he could find no way past, and didn't even get close. Lap after lap, I looked back to see if he was too close for comfort. Never was that the case! Lap 28, I was flagged to let him pass. Not sure of the reason, afterall, we were fighting for position, however, being quite aware that doing anything to the contrary would mean a black flag, I let him by rightaway. Following him closely over the next lap (and what turned out to be the last lap), I could only laugh feebly at the realization that I would have had him every single lap at either one of the hairpins on a good day.
Post race, the frustration of poor laptimes, combined with the better laptimes of Bicker made it an evening to forget. However, having gone through the experience, I now claim that, I have a much better understanding of how Michael Schumacher must have felt driving the Ferrari F1 2005!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
India beats Australia at Perth!!!!!
Compared to the trash ("Ganguly and Dravid did NOT sit at the same table at breakfast"), the mundane ("We will give 110%/I did it for the country") and the breaking (e.g. "Shane Warne tests positive! To be sent back from World Cup"), the weird news tends to have a higher *shock to profile* quotient. And in these weird times we live in, they don't come much weirder than "Perth wicket could help spinners".
The title doesn't seem so crazy anymore, does it?
The title doesn't seem so crazy anymore, does it?
Friday, October 13, 2006
To Websters (actually dictionary.com) with Love
Dictionary.com defines pessimism as
1. the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc
2. the doctrine that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things naturally tend to evil
3. the belief that the evil and pain in the world are not compensated for by goodness and happiness
Until yesterday, I would have been happy to go with those explanations. Not now...
Pessimism - Optimism with experience
[Source: Steve Parrish]
It doesn't get clearer/cleverer/more practical than that!
PS: I started off typing 'Websters defines pessimism as...' and without batting an eyelid, visited dictionary.com to pull out the meaning.
PPS: The other day, during a phone conversation, my friend mentioned that he had started writing. I assumed that he had started blogging. When he hinted that that wasn't the case, I assumed that he was maintaining a personal diary on notepad. When he told me that he was putting pen to paper, I almost put phone to ground!
1. the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc
2. the doctrine that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things naturally tend to evil
3. the belief that the evil and pain in the world are not compensated for by goodness and happiness
Until yesterday, I would have been happy to go with those explanations. Not now...
Pessimism - Optimism with experience
[Source: Steve Parrish]
It doesn't get clearer/cleverer/more practical than that!
PS: I started off typing 'Websters defines pessimism as...' and without batting an eyelid, visited dictionary.com to pull out the meaning.
PPS: The other day, during a phone conversation, my friend mentioned that he had started writing. I assumed that he had started blogging. When he hinted that that wasn't the case, I assumed that he was maintaining a personal diary on notepad. When he told me that he was putting pen to paper, I almost put phone to ground!
Monday, October 09, 2006
Kart ATTACK !!!!
I have quite a few drafts saved up, that are destined to remain just that, but were actually meant to be published F1 race reports. Due to unhappiness with the details in the end product, which was a direct manifestation of my unfamiliarity with writing on the technical aspects of the sport, I have refrained from publishing them.
This past weekend, I was out Karting. It wasn't one of those 5 or 10 minute races, but a whopping 45 minute one. The wallet was substantially lighter at the end of this venture, but the thrill of a lifetime was realised (it actually does every time I go Karting!). Plus, considering that after a 4 year hiatus, I have Karted a few times recently, this race allowed me to apply what I had learnt recently, besides learning more about the nuances of racing.
This time around, when I started to write about the race from my perspective, the words seemed to flow and the technical aspects of the sport aided the narration of events at every instance. In fact, many concepts from F1 have been widely and liberally (ab)used in the report below. So, while I have tried to stick to the truth with regard to positions, overtaking and other incidents, don't be surprised if the mention of turbulent air, rear wing and so on make you wonder if you are reading about one of those Kart races that happen a zillion times each day, or one of the premier 18 races that constitute the F1 calendar. Its all meant to be a part of the ride....
We were a group of 4, watching the current action while eagerly awaiting our turn. The track length was shorter than the norm, punctuated with some bland corners and the standard hairpin. The quick chicane was a novelty though and I quite enjoyed the challenge it offered. Other perks of the place included getting to wear racing gloves and a neck brace, besides the usual head sock and helmet. In fact, we had the option of slipping on a racing suit, but fearing a complete collapse due to the possible heat, I refrained. Wise decision it turned out to be!
The format said - 10 minute Pratice session, followed by a 10 minute Qualifying session, followed by a 15 minute Race. Reading that off the board felt like I was being administered a heavy dosage of adrenalin. Time to strap on...
11 of us were part of this racing fiesta. Some of them looked like pros, and some of them turned out to be, but this report is not meant to wax eloquent about the sublime skills of the leaders (I wish it was though!). This one is meant to aid the reader re-live the race through words designed to masquerade as a camera aboard Kart Number(KN) 13, with a few additional details furnished from the tales of my buddies, with finishing positions (FP) 8,10 and 11.
The instant we set off one by one from the pits, the jousting started. There was wheel banging, karts spinning and some heavy crashing on the first lap. Consequently, the yellow flags didn't take too long to come out. This sequence of events repeated itself over the next few laps too. It was clear that there were too many karts on track, however, the marshals didn't quite care (disappointing!). Soon (even after a long discussion post race, we couldn't decide how many laps the 'soon' refers to...the numbers varied from 4 to about 12), after another of those innumerable tangles, the marshals came out and lined us up on the grid based on best lap timings until then. Sitting pretty at Qualifying Position (QP) 5 was KN 13!
Due to unfamiliarity with the fellow racers' KNs, QP and FP are used to refer to them in the report that follows...
THE RACE
Phase 1: New Track, Green Track and Cold tires
We sat on the grid for quite a while. It was a long process to get us lined up and then wipe the track clean. This meant that the tires lost their temperature while the rubber on the track was all gone. The result - no grip!
Under these conditions, a cautious couple of laps wouldn't have been out of order. However, KN13 was poised to attack from QP5. When the lights turned green, with all my senses focussed on the kart in front, I got a great start and was right behind QP3 at the first corner, while QP4 had to yield to me since I held the racing line. The quick chicane that followed was negotiated at full throttle. This meant that the ambitious late braking maneouver that I attempted, turned out to be just that...ambitious! I was carrying way too much speed going into the corner, as a result of which, when I tried to slow down while exiting the corner, the Kart oversteered, resulting in a spin. Sitting there, just off the racing line, I had to wait until FP11 passed me before I could get back on track and continue (start) my race. Needless to say, my race had been compromised!
Back on track, the adrenalin rush was replaced by controlled anger (the control entering the picture due to the embarassment of spinning. If I was nudged into spinning, the anger would have taken a very different form). The focus was to regain the lost places as soon as possible, before I could hope to claw back the distance to the leaders. FPs 11 and 10 were devoured in the same lap. Normally, that would be quite an achievement, considering that this was a 300m track (20 - 22 seconds per lap). However, reality is that, these two were lapping 3 to 4 seconds off the pace. So, easy does it! Soon enough, FP9 was sighted in my rear view mirror. FP8 proved to be a challenge. Due to the simple track layout, the on track opportunities to overtake was minimal. So, waited patiently before passing him on the outside of the hairpin.
Phase 2: Track is rubbered down, tires are operating at optimum temperature, and am familiar with the circuit
It is around lap 19 when the consistency sets in. The lap times reflect the same. Laps 19 to 26 are timed between 20.88 and 21.64. Having passed FP8 earlier, I was in clean air (no kart on track that I was following closely). So, it was all about putting my head down and churning in some quick laps. The advantage of being in clean air, besides avoiding the turbulent air due to a kart that is right ahead, is the opportunity to see the apex of every corner and judge the braking for optimum exit.
Lap 27 and I am right under the rear wing of FP7, trying to find a way past. It was clear (to me) that I was faster by around 0.2 to 0.4 seconds, but as mentioned earlier, the simple layout meant that clever defensive driving could keep a faster kart behind. After becoming aware of his defensive capabilities, I started applying the pressure, by carrying extra speed into each corner, thus dramatically closing the distance between the karts. This ensured that I was in his peripheral vision at each corner. While this tactic had the desired effect of creating pressure, the downside was that, my exit out of every corner was painfully slow and a couple of times, required heavy opposite lock to avoid spinning. However, the pressure was showing on him. He was sliding through some of the corners, but managed to block me out at the next one. Soon though, he got sideways at the hairpin and I was away. 3 laps it took. The thrill of working out an opponent and cracking him has to be experienced to understand the exhilaration. Shane Warne might know a bit about that....
Phase 3: Learning from others
Trafffic was a constant factor at this track. Like I mentioned, FPs 10 and 11 were atleast 3 seconds off the pace of the leaders. So, they had to be passed every 8 laps or so, which was one area where I kept losing distance to the leaders. Besides that, somewhere around lap 30 is when I noticed that the leader, driving KN5 (FP1) was closing in behind to lap me. Try as I did, every single lap, he was getting closer. As I exited the hairpin, I would look back to see his position, and he would have shaved a couple of tenths off the gap. Soon enough, I was waved a blue flag (the ultimate ignominy). I had to let him by to avoid any penalty. And so, I did, but not before swearing "I will follow the S.O.B to the ends of the world" (Jimmy Connors swearing to do the same to Bjorn Borg was a mere coincidence).
From my prior karting experience, I have realised that it does not take me too long to memorise a track layout. And once I get familiar, I try to keep up the pace and most often am able to do so. However, at the end of the race, the all time lap record would be atleast a couple of seconds faster than me, while the fastest lap set that day, would be half a second to a second faster. At this point, the head scratching would begin. On any track, more so, on a challenging one, there would be a couple of corners where, my kart would slide as I would exit one of the medium speed corners. A slower approach into the corner would mean no sliding, however, the speed at the exit would be far from satisfactory. So, optimum speed and line through medium speed corners is something that I have always derived off others.
In this case, with the leader and I separated by less than half a second, albeit him being one lap (and half a second) ahead, class was in session. Watching him reduce his speed to a trickle while negotiating turn 3 (what I thought was a medium speed corner was negotiated at slow speed), was noted rightaway. The build up of speed from the exit of turn 3 through medium speed corner 4, which lead to about 4 seconds of full throttle accelaration was beautifully demonstrated and I had the best seat in the house. Having learnt from the leader, as any good student should, I put it to good use through the next few laps. Concentration has always been a problem since the mindless high school exams. Not here though. With complete focus, every ounce of energy was focussed on the kart ahead and my own speed and line through every corner. The results were revealing. I kept up.....for 4 laps or so!
During this period, laps 29 to 38, the laptimes were between 20.63 and 21.31. Compared to the previous quick period, this was more consistent and also about a couple of tenths quicker. That's what racing is all about!!!
Phase 4: To FIGHT to the finish, you cannot be finished before the Fight
The ability to keep at it for 70 out of 70 laps is what separates the Schumachers from the Montoyas. Turns out that it was the same thing that separated the racers aboard KN5 and KN13. Once we hit traffic, while KN5 passed backmarkers without a worry, my braking became awry and my laptimes slipped away. Soon enough, KN5 was nowhere in sight and my energy level had dropped so alarmingly that I didn't even contemplate catching him. At this point, I was running on adrenalin. More than my forearms (which usually cry out in pain after 10 laps of racing), my feet hurt from the constant accelaration. The sole of the show wasn't cushioning me from the steel rod that constituted the accelerator pedal.
My time slipped away, dropping to the low 21s and the early 22s. However, I assume that everyone was struggling through this period. I caught up with FP4 and we stayed in formation for 3 or so laps. What happened then, I do not remember, but the lap chart shows that I held track position 4 on lap 40. Laps 40 through 50 were a lull. However, I wasn't doing too bad, since I caught up with FPs 2 and 3. However, a mental lapse is not something that can be afforded on a race track....
Yellow flags were all over the track on lap 51. FPs 2 and 3 managed to lap FP10 (for the umpteenth time) right at this point. So, FP10 was between me and them and I was not allowed to overtake. With the flags still yellow, FPs 2 and 3 gathered some pace while making sure that they weren't overtaking. FP10 though was ambling, happily aware that I was forced to stay behind. A red mist descended, and I sped past him in no time ready to continue my pursuit of FP3. Alas, the track marshal spotted it right away and gave me the black flag. Nothing I could do, but swear repeatedly at myself, the marshal and particularly, at FP10 (the jackass received a hiding from from after the race). Anyway, at half pace, completed the rest of the lap (letting by anyone and everyone who came up behind me) and went into the pits, where I was talked to by one of the marshals.
Exiting the pits, the Kart lacked grip. I knew why. I had made a mistake by slowing down too much during the lap before entering the pits. The tires had cooled off, the grip was gone and I was sliding. Anyway, a couple of laps later, I was back on pace, however, I was mentally exhausted. The laptimes are proof. My fastest lap of the evening came in lap No.69 (out of the 79 I completed) and there were some blindingly quick laps there. However, they were interspersed with some high 21s and low 22s.
Turns out that I went past PN7 on track, but didn't do enough to close in on the battles ahead. In fact, was lapped by a few Karts during this period. Lap79, the leader passed me once again, and as I crossed the line, the checkered flag came down. FP 6!!!
Conclusions
The result was deflating, but the thrill of racing goes beyond results. As an amateur, whose involvement in sport, beside watching, has decreased by the day, the thrills do not necessarily come from the end of the day result. Instead, a perfectly excecuted forehand passing shot (a video replay might change that opinion forever) amidst a 6-2 loss, or a beautifully timed cover drive (the fact that the fielder let the ball through his legs don't matter either neither does the fact that it happened 3 years ago) right before the middle stump got uprooted are the highs that are rejoiced. In racing though, the highs are continuous. In fact, the adrenalin rush in one 10 minute race can drown out a whole set of tennis.
At its purest form, racing can be about 2 cars duelling wheel to wheel for track position through corner after corner or about one driver setting the standard for the rest of the pack, by improving on perfection, lap after lap. During each of these ventures, every millisecond matters. And more importantly, the adrenalin is pumping during every single one of those. The concentration and the focus need to be at its peak for every single corner of every single lap of every single race. No exceptions! No wonder that the feeling at the end of it is exhaustion as well as exhilaration.
My mental state when I race (either a kart on a track or my own car on the road) is different when compared to racket sports. When I attempt to play tennis, I am very aware of my limitations. I know that attempting an Andre Agassi double handed backhand return of serve is guaranteed to have one of the following three results: the racket jumps out of my arms and flies to the net, while the ball lies at my foot/the racket spins like a top in my arms, while the ball remains at my foot/the ball is hit for a sweet sixer! Not sure if it is just me, but when I am in a kart, I feel invincible (results do not seem to alter that perception). However fast someone else is, I feel that it is only a few laps of following him for me to learn the trick and keep up. This in turn guarantees that the mind is tuned for a fight that feels like a top of the leaderboard duel rather than a duel for second last place.
Even before this specific racing experience, while I was driving to San Jose to witness a dance performance, I mentioned to this buddy of mine (who contributed so much to the long drive by not driving a single mile) that the pure rush of adrenalin (I keep mentioning this word, since I am unaware of a literal alternative or an actual one) while racing is unmatched. When this was met by a nod in agreement, I knew that I had uttered the ABSOLUTE TRUTH (the kind that carries no 'one's own perspective' clause with it)! After having watched the dance performance, I put Salsa right next to racing!
This past weekend, I was out Karting. It wasn't one of those 5 or 10 minute races, but a whopping 45 minute one. The wallet was substantially lighter at the end of this venture, but the thrill of a lifetime was realised (it actually does every time I go Karting!). Plus, considering that after a 4 year hiatus, I have Karted a few times recently, this race allowed me to apply what I had learnt recently, besides learning more about the nuances of racing.
This time around, when I started to write about the race from my perspective, the words seemed to flow and the technical aspects of the sport aided the narration of events at every instance. In fact, many concepts from F1 have been widely and liberally (ab)used in the report below. So, while I have tried to stick to the truth with regard to positions, overtaking and other incidents, don't be surprised if the mention of turbulent air, rear wing and so on make you wonder if you are reading about one of those Kart races that happen a zillion times each day, or one of the premier 18 races that constitute the F1 calendar. Its all meant to be a part of the ride....
We were a group of 4, watching the current action while eagerly awaiting our turn. The track length was shorter than the norm, punctuated with some bland corners and the standard hairpin. The quick chicane was a novelty though and I quite enjoyed the challenge it offered. Other perks of the place included getting to wear racing gloves and a neck brace, besides the usual head sock and helmet. In fact, we had the option of slipping on a racing suit, but fearing a complete collapse due to the possible heat, I refrained. Wise decision it turned out to be!
The format said - 10 minute Pratice session, followed by a 10 minute Qualifying session, followed by a 15 minute Race. Reading that off the board felt like I was being administered a heavy dosage of adrenalin. Time to strap on...
11 of us were part of this racing fiesta. Some of them looked like pros, and some of them turned out to be, but this report is not meant to wax eloquent about the sublime skills of the leaders (I wish it was though!). This one is meant to aid the reader re-live the race through words designed to masquerade as a camera aboard Kart Number(KN) 13, with a few additional details furnished from the tales of my buddies, with finishing positions (FP) 8,10 and 11.
The instant we set off one by one from the pits, the jousting started. There was wheel banging, karts spinning and some heavy crashing on the first lap. Consequently, the yellow flags didn't take too long to come out. This sequence of events repeated itself over the next few laps too. It was clear that there were too many karts on track, however, the marshals didn't quite care (disappointing!). Soon (even after a long discussion post race, we couldn't decide how many laps the 'soon' refers to...the numbers varied from 4 to about 12), after another of those innumerable tangles, the marshals came out and lined us up on the grid based on best lap timings until then. Sitting pretty at Qualifying Position (QP) 5 was KN 13!
Due to unfamiliarity with the fellow racers' KNs, QP and FP are used to refer to them in the report that follows...
THE RACE
Phase 1: New Track, Green Track and Cold tires
We sat on the grid for quite a while. It was a long process to get us lined up and then wipe the track clean. This meant that the tires lost their temperature while the rubber on the track was all gone. The result - no grip!
Under these conditions, a cautious couple of laps wouldn't have been out of order. However, KN13 was poised to attack from QP5. When the lights turned green, with all my senses focussed on the kart in front, I got a great start and was right behind QP3 at the first corner, while QP4 had to yield to me since I held the racing line. The quick chicane that followed was negotiated at full throttle. This meant that the ambitious late braking maneouver that I attempted, turned out to be just that...ambitious! I was carrying way too much speed going into the corner, as a result of which, when I tried to slow down while exiting the corner, the Kart oversteered, resulting in a spin. Sitting there, just off the racing line, I had to wait until FP11 passed me before I could get back on track and continue (start) my race. Needless to say, my race had been compromised!
Back on track, the adrenalin rush was replaced by controlled anger (the control entering the picture due to the embarassment of spinning. If I was nudged into spinning, the anger would have taken a very different form). The focus was to regain the lost places as soon as possible, before I could hope to claw back the distance to the leaders. FPs 11 and 10 were devoured in the same lap. Normally, that would be quite an achievement, considering that this was a 300m track (20 - 22 seconds per lap). However, reality is that, these two were lapping 3 to 4 seconds off the pace. So, easy does it! Soon enough, FP9 was sighted in my rear view mirror. FP8 proved to be a challenge. Due to the simple track layout, the on track opportunities to overtake was minimal. So, waited patiently before passing him on the outside of the hairpin.
Phase 2: Track is rubbered down, tires are operating at optimum temperature, and am familiar with the circuit
It is around lap 19 when the consistency sets in. The lap times reflect the same. Laps 19 to 26 are timed between 20.88 and 21.64. Having passed FP8 earlier, I was in clean air (no kart on track that I was following closely). So, it was all about putting my head down and churning in some quick laps. The advantage of being in clean air, besides avoiding the turbulent air due to a kart that is right ahead, is the opportunity to see the apex of every corner and judge the braking for optimum exit.
Lap 27 and I am right under the rear wing of FP7, trying to find a way past. It was clear (to me) that I was faster by around 0.2 to 0.4 seconds, but as mentioned earlier, the simple layout meant that clever defensive driving could keep a faster kart behind. After becoming aware of his defensive capabilities, I started applying the pressure, by carrying extra speed into each corner, thus dramatically closing the distance between the karts. This ensured that I was in his peripheral vision at each corner. While this tactic had the desired effect of creating pressure, the downside was that, my exit out of every corner was painfully slow and a couple of times, required heavy opposite lock to avoid spinning. However, the pressure was showing on him. He was sliding through some of the corners, but managed to block me out at the next one. Soon though, he got sideways at the hairpin and I was away. 3 laps it took. The thrill of working out an opponent and cracking him has to be experienced to understand the exhilaration. Shane Warne might know a bit about that....
Phase 3: Learning from others
Trafffic was a constant factor at this track. Like I mentioned, FPs 10 and 11 were atleast 3 seconds off the pace of the leaders. So, they had to be passed every 8 laps or so, which was one area where I kept losing distance to the leaders. Besides that, somewhere around lap 30 is when I noticed that the leader, driving KN5 (FP1) was closing in behind to lap me. Try as I did, every single lap, he was getting closer. As I exited the hairpin, I would look back to see his position, and he would have shaved a couple of tenths off the gap. Soon enough, I was waved a blue flag (the ultimate ignominy). I had to let him by to avoid any penalty. And so, I did, but not before swearing "I will follow the S.O.B to the ends of the world" (Jimmy Connors swearing to do the same to Bjorn Borg was a mere coincidence).
From my prior karting experience, I have realised that it does not take me too long to memorise a track layout. And once I get familiar, I try to keep up the pace and most often am able to do so. However, at the end of the race, the all time lap record would be atleast a couple of seconds faster than me, while the fastest lap set that day, would be half a second to a second faster. At this point, the head scratching would begin. On any track, more so, on a challenging one, there would be a couple of corners where, my kart would slide as I would exit one of the medium speed corners. A slower approach into the corner would mean no sliding, however, the speed at the exit would be far from satisfactory. So, optimum speed and line through medium speed corners is something that I have always derived off others.
In this case, with the leader and I separated by less than half a second, albeit him being one lap (and half a second) ahead, class was in session. Watching him reduce his speed to a trickle while negotiating turn 3 (what I thought was a medium speed corner was negotiated at slow speed), was noted rightaway. The build up of speed from the exit of turn 3 through medium speed corner 4, which lead to about 4 seconds of full throttle accelaration was beautifully demonstrated and I had the best seat in the house. Having learnt from the leader, as any good student should, I put it to good use through the next few laps. Concentration has always been a problem since the mindless high school exams. Not here though. With complete focus, every ounce of energy was focussed on the kart ahead and my own speed and line through every corner. The results were revealing. I kept up.....for 4 laps or so!
During this period, laps 29 to 38, the laptimes were between 20.63 and 21.31. Compared to the previous quick period, this was more consistent and also about a couple of tenths quicker. That's what racing is all about!!!
Phase 4: To FIGHT to the finish, you cannot be finished before the Fight
The ability to keep at it for 70 out of 70 laps is what separates the Schumachers from the Montoyas. Turns out that it was the same thing that separated the racers aboard KN5 and KN13. Once we hit traffic, while KN5 passed backmarkers without a worry, my braking became awry and my laptimes slipped away. Soon enough, KN5 was nowhere in sight and my energy level had dropped so alarmingly that I didn't even contemplate catching him. At this point, I was running on adrenalin. More than my forearms (which usually cry out in pain after 10 laps of racing), my feet hurt from the constant accelaration. The sole of the show wasn't cushioning me from the steel rod that constituted the accelerator pedal.
My time slipped away, dropping to the low 21s and the early 22s. However, I assume that everyone was struggling through this period. I caught up with FP4 and we stayed in formation for 3 or so laps. What happened then, I do not remember, but the lap chart shows that I held track position 4 on lap 40. Laps 40 through 50 were a lull. However, I wasn't doing too bad, since I caught up with FPs 2 and 3. However, a mental lapse is not something that can be afforded on a race track....
Yellow flags were all over the track on lap 51. FPs 2 and 3 managed to lap FP10 (for the umpteenth time) right at this point. So, FP10 was between me and them and I was not allowed to overtake. With the flags still yellow, FPs 2 and 3 gathered some pace while making sure that they weren't overtaking. FP10 though was ambling, happily aware that I was forced to stay behind. A red mist descended, and I sped past him in no time ready to continue my pursuit of FP3. Alas, the track marshal spotted it right away and gave me the black flag. Nothing I could do, but swear repeatedly at myself, the marshal and particularly, at FP10 (the jackass received a hiding from from after the race). Anyway, at half pace, completed the rest of the lap (letting by anyone and everyone who came up behind me) and went into the pits, where I was talked to by one of the marshals.
Exiting the pits, the Kart lacked grip. I knew why. I had made a mistake by slowing down too much during the lap before entering the pits. The tires had cooled off, the grip was gone and I was sliding. Anyway, a couple of laps later, I was back on pace, however, I was mentally exhausted. The laptimes are proof. My fastest lap of the evening came in lap No.69 (out of the 79 I completed) and there were some blindingly quick laps there. However, they were interspersed with some high 21s and low 22s.
Turns out that I went past PN7 on track, but didn't do enough to close in on the battles ahead. In fact, was lapped by a few Karts during this period. Lap79, the leader passed me once again, and as I crossed the line, the checkered flag came down. FP 6!!!
Conclusions
The result was deflating, but the thrill of racing goes beyond results. As an amateur, whose involvement in sport, beside watching, has decreased by the day, the thrills do not necessarily come from the end of the day result. Instead, a perfectly excecuted forehand passing shot (a video replay might change that opinion forever) amidst a 6-2 loss, or a beautifully timed cover drive (the fact that the fielder let the ball through his legs don't matter either neither does the fact that it happened 3 years ago) right before the middle stump got uprooted are the highs that are rejoiced. In racing though, the highs are continuous. In fact, the adrenalin rush in one 10 minute race can drown out a whole set of tennis.
At its purest form, racing can be about 2 cars duelling wheel to wheel for track position through corner after corner or about one driver setting the standard for the rest of the pack, by improving on perfection, lap after lap. During each of these ventures, every millisecond matters. And more importantly, the adrenalin is pumping during every single one of those. The concentration and the focus need to be at its peak for every single corner of every single lap of every single race. No exceptions! No wonder that the feeling at the end of it is exhaustion as well as exhilaration.
My mental state when I race (either a kart on a track or my own car on the road) is different when compared to racket sports. When I attempt to play tennis, I am very aware of my limitations. I know that attempting an Andre Agassi double handed backhand return of serve is guaranteed to have one of the following three results: the racket jumps out of my arms and flies to the net, while the ball lies at my foot/the racket spins like a top in my arms, while the ball remains at my foot/the ball is hit for a sweet sixer! Not sure if it is just me, but when I am in a kart, I feel invincible (results do not seem to alter that perception). However fast someone else is, I feel that it is only a few laps of following him for me to learn the trick and keep up. This in turn guarantees that the mind is tuned for a fight that feels like a top of the leaderboard duel rather than a duel for second last place.
Even before this specific racing experience, while I was driving to San Jose to witness a dance performance, I mentioned to this buddy of mine (who contributed so much to the long drive by not driving a single mile) that the pure rush of adrenalin (I keep mentioning this word, since I am unaware of a literal alternative or an actual one) while racing is unmatched. When this was met by a nod in agreement, I knew that I had uttered the ABSOLUTE TRUTH (the kind that carries no 'one's own perspective' clause with it)! After having watched the dance performance, I put Salsa right next to racing!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Alter Ego
http://tennisworld.typepad.com/tennisworld/2006/10/alteregos.html
Was casually reading through the characters until I came upon Safin. For whatever reason, when I saw his alter ego, I let out a *hehheyyyy* and smiled widely. Ahoy Marat!
Was casually reading through the characters until I came upon Safin. For whatever reason, when I saw his alter ego, I let out a *hehheyyyy* and smiled widely. Ahoy Marat!
Monday, September 18, 2006
What an Arse
It's all fine to get up early on a Sun morning, after less than 5 hours of sleep, when you consider that such matches are guaranteed to happen only twice a year. So, when the alarm goes off, it isn't a stand alone cuss word that starts the day, but a "What took the bloody Sun so long to come out??!!!" There is no tiredness or sleepiness, just nerve jangling excitement and tension.
Manchester United have made their best start to the season in over 100 years and Arsenal are floundering. To top it all, the feast is served at the Theatre of Dreams, hosting a Premiership record 75,595. With Arsenal clearly having fallen behind United in the past year, I can safely admit that along with ManU they play football, while the others defend their goalposts. So, this was going to be a football match and not a formation match that Chelsea versus Liverpool always turns out to be.
The goals didn't come. Thankfully, neither did the cards. However, it was non-stop action that left me breathless by the end of 30 minutes. It's at times like this that I make resolutions to wake up early on weekends and savour the live long day. Alas, when it all goes wrong horribly at the 85th minute, what promised to be the dawn of a glorious Sunday, sets the precedent for an arse of a day....
Manchester United have made their best start to the season in over 100 years and Arsenal are floundering. To top it all, the feast is served at the Theatre of Dreams, hosting a Premiership record 75,595. With Arsenal clearly having fallen behind United in the past year, I can safely admit that along with ManU they play football, while the others defend their goalposts. So, this was going to be a football match and not a formation match that Chelsea versus Liverpool always turns out to be.
The goals didn't come. Thankfully, neither did the cards. However, it was non-stop action that left me breathless by the end of 30 minutes. It's at times like this that I make resolutions to wake up early on weekends and savour the live long day. Alas, when it all goes wrong horribly at the 85th minute, what promised to be the dawn of a glorious Sunday, sets the precedent for an arse of a day....
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Homage
The tributes have been puring in for a few months now. Here is a collection of my personal favourites...
1) Wimbledon, where you suspect they do not clear the cobwebs for the sake of leaving the old as it is, took a page out of the book of common sense (borrowed, obviously)/suspected a soccer style riot by the gentlemen and ladies/were moved to tears that their beloved champion was leaving forever (take your pick), interviewed Andre courtside at the end of his match with Nadal. First time ever that they conducted a court side interview. Boy, do they pick their moments!
2) "Beacon of success both on and off the court"
3) A record crowd of 23,736 packed into Arthur Ashe stadium for the first night of the Open to watch Andre play Pavel. At match point, the entire stadium stood up! The tradition continued through his matches with Baghdatis and B.Becker.
4) At the end of another timeless classic, Baghdatis says "He is more than a legend"....repeatedly!
5) B.Becker serving 5-4 for the third set. His shot hits the net and drops right next to it. Andre, who was struggling with his back and giving up on drop shots through the match, sensed the moment, and willed himself to reach it. Not only did he get there, but also managed to place it well, which the outstretched Becker hit wide. 23,712 rose and delivered. After a whole minute, the commentator goes "They can't salute him loud enough!"
6) After he played his last point, the crowd rose in unison....actually, they were already up....and thundered their appreciation for their beloved hero. They stopped when Andre took the mike from Mary Joe (kudos to her for doing the right thing!) and delivered a heartwarming rendition of a farewell speech, at the end of which, they started again and continued unabated until Andre decided to leave the court.
7) At the same time, on the adjacent Louis Armstong court, where Safin and Nalbandian were in the midst of the 5th set of their titanic duel, the crowd rose and gave Andre a standing ovation.
8) With his heart in his mouth, Andre told us "The scoreboard says I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 years I have found loyalty; you have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometimes even in my lowest moments. And I have found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams; dreams I could never have reached without you. Over the the last 21 years I have found you and I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life"
9) Quotes:-
Notwithstanding all these moments and quotes, a literary creation was essential to bid farewell to the fan's ultimate champion. Enter Jun....a friend with no track record of expertise in this area.....
(if any congratulatory messages need to be sent to Jun, please let me know)
Yet another icon
Not spared the ageing muscles
Shown the door
To a whole new world where the surface ain't grass or clay...just another plain floor
Head bowed you said the scoreboard says I am not the winner,
Champion you are a complete winner!
Hearts wept as you left the arena,
You left only the arena!
Complete winner you are! You only are!!!
[courtesy: No Man's Land]
1) Wimbledon, where you suspect they do not clear the cobwebs for the sake of leaving the old as it is, took a page out of the book of common sense (borrowed, obviously)/suspected a soccer style riot by the gentlemen and ladies/were moved to tears that their beloved champion was leaving forever (take your pick), interviewed Andre courtside at the end of his match with Nadal. First time ever that they conducted a court side interview. Boy, do they pick their moments!
2) "Beacon of success both on and off the court"
3) A record crowd of 23,736 packed into Arthur Ashe stadium for the first night of the Open to watch Andre play Pavel. At match point, the entire stadium stood up! The tradition continued through his matches with Baghdatis and B.Becker.
4) At the end of another timeless classic, Baghdatis says "He is more than a legend"....repeatedly!
5) B.Becker serving 5-4 for the third set. His shot hits the net and drops right next to it. Andre, who was struggling with his back and giving up on drop shots through the match, sensed the moment, and willed himself to reach it. Not only did he get there, but also managed to place it well, which the outstretched Becker hit wide. 23,712 rose and delivered. After a whole minute, the commentator goes "They can't salute him loud enough!"
6) After he played his last point, the crowd rose in unison....actually, they were already up....and thundered their appreciation for their beloved hero. They stopped when Andre took the mike from Mary Joe (kudos to her for doing the right thing!) and delivered a heartwarming rendition of a farewell speech, at the end of which, they started again and continued unabated until Andre decided to leave the court.
7) At the same time, on the adjacent Louis Armstong court, where Safin and Nalbandian were in the midst of the 5th set of their titanic duel, the crowd rose and gave Andre a standing ovation.
8) With his heart in his mouth, Andre told us "The scoreboard says I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what it is I have found. Over the last 21 years I have found loyalty; you have pulled for me on the court and also in life. I have found inspiration. You have willed me to succeed, sometimes even in my lowest moments. And I have found generosity. You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach for my dreams; dreams I could never have reached without you. Over the the last 21 years I have found you and I will take you and the memory of you with me for the rest of my life"
9) Quotes:-
- James Blake - "We all owe a little debt of gratitude for what he's done because he's transcended the sport to become an international superstar, more so than any other tennis player over the last 20 years"
- Lindsay Davenport - "In the last 20 years, he's been the most important person we've had in our sport.He's beloved. Not many players become what he has become" (Do I put the entire quote in bold?)
- Andy Murray - "I think 50 or 60% of people in the locker room were probably in tears as well and were holding it back. I know I was. I'm sure all tennis players would love to have the respect that he has from all the players and the fans. Everybody loved him anywhere he went"
- Serena Williams - "I think the game is going to miss him more than probably they miss anyone"
Notwithstanding all these moments and quotes, a literary creation was essential to bid farewell to the fan's ultimate champion. Enter Jun....a friend with no track record of expertise in this area.....
(if any congratulatory messages need to be sent to Jun, please let me know)
Yet another icon
Not spared the ageing muscles
Shown the door
To a whole new world where the surface ain't grass or clay...just another plain floor
Head bowed you said the scoreboard says I am not the winner,
Champion you are a complete winner!
Hearts wept as you left the arena,
You left only the arena!
Complete winner you are! You only are!!!
[courtesy: No Man's Land]
Sighter#4 - James Blake
Match on.....Blake stuns Federer to win the third set in a tiebreaker. Its great quality tennis from both sides with the 30 stroke rally in the tiebreaker confirming that Federer's defense isn't exactly defense. On the run, while at full stretch his forehand comes back with depth and spin. Blake can only keep going for the lines....which he did and won!
Blake has been in prominence for a year now. His comeback started just before the Open last year and since, has remained in the limelight. One thing is certain. He is the most aggressive retunrner of serve out there. It was suspected during his El Clasico with Andre Agassi in the QF of US Open'05. It has a stamp of approval now, considering that it is Federer's serve he is up against.
Go James! Keep the tradition alive....
Update: Federer up 5-2 and serving for a place in the Semi!
Blake has been in prominence for a year now. His comeback started just before the Open last year and since, has remained in the limelight. One thing is certain. He is the most aggressive retunrner of serve out there. It was suspected during his El Clasico with Andre Agassi in the QF of US Open'05. It has a stamp of approval now, considering that it is Federer's serve he is up against.
Go James! Keep the tradition alive....
Update: Federer up 5-2 and serving for a place in the Semi!
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