We've been covering a lot about local races, but undoubtedly the true test for a motorcycle racer lies beyond Singapore's borders, against seasoned veterans of the racing fraternity. So it would be apt to introduce another lesser known rider in Iron Horse Racing Team, although you all have been hanging on to his every word since the first post of this blog...
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| From left: Jackson, WJ, Yuan (me), Lud and Akmal. The best pit support crew |
That's right, its me yall, who by all accounts has been faithfully covering every event and race Iron Horse has raced at. The big boss decided it was long enough and with the stars aligning, we got started on our MSF bid.
Early on in the year, the team managed to get our hands on a Kawasaki Ninja 250, and re-purposed it for track and race use.
With help from friends and team members, we slowly and painstakingly brought the bike back to road-worthy conditions.
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| Hello Ah Boon |
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| Our faithful pillar of technical support. |
After that, it was a simple matter to send it up north for some respraying work - done by our Iron Horse DIY Detailing crew:
It was around the previous week of the race that we finally got the bike all resprayed and prepped to take part in MSF Superbike's Super 400 category, for bikes 400cc and below. Didn't help that I had a company D&D the night we were supposed to leave for Sepang. WJ who was tagging along as support knocked out almost immediately upon after loading the bike onto the truck.
We arrived at Sepang around 7.30, and immediately got to work prepping the bike for scrutineering.
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| So it begins |
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| All done.. |
To say that I was simply nervous would be an understatement. All the worry and anxiety building up towards race day was unleashed as flashes of my bike highsiding and whipping my ragdolled body up into the hot Malaysian air crept into my mind. And I probably would have if not for Jackson and the team who managed to keep me composed by just talking and chilling before the first round of warm-up and qualifying.
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| Not forgetting Hidayat from YatzIndustries, who was also racing in the Superbike B Category. Thanks for the advice and wisdom you have imparted to me throughout my superbike journey :) |
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Jackson and WJ: Without these two, its safe to say our MSF campaign would not have even materialised.
(Spot Ishardy's bike in the background) |
Waiting for the first practice lap was nerve-racking indeed! Listened to music to calm myself down and to find my focus.
Right before heading out for the practice lap, we did a quick rundown of our battle plan: I would do 2 warm-up laps, push for a hot lap and then return to the pits for a debrief, and then it would be back out again to finish the practice/qualifying session.
The first lap went well, unfortunately on the start of the second run the bike started putting out less power which obviously concerned me. Not wanting to risk it and push on for a third lap, I returned to the pits hopeful that the issue could be quickly rectified.
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| Suspected oil pump issue |
Apparently a piston had jammed, causing the loss in power and subsequent knocking sound when starting the bike. Crestfallen but not defeated, we accepted the result and get around to getting the bike towed off so we could rectify the issue for the next round.
Although not the ideal result that we would have wanted, this is part and parcel of racing. Anything and everything will go wrong at the moment when you least expect it. The important thing is not to get flustered or 'lost', and choose the next course of action swiftly and decisively.
Once more, Iron Horse Racing Team appreciates the help and support rendered by all our friends, family and team members, as well as Liqui Moly Singapore for always providing top-notch racing oils and lubricants, regardless of the race outcome.
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