...of options (or lackthereof) and damage controls...
Spent the whole Sunday on-track quite productively.
Just the fact that I came there in street clothes with no gear was enough to get a good and fruitful conversation going. :)
Talked to Dirsa's Dad, Bambang who was drafted by Djakarta Theater's Nicky Tjonnadi, then a lengthy talk with Ferry Asmasoebrata (who has recently joined Renatama), then Toto of Speedy Karting, Max who manages the circuit and have 2 sons in racing, Stanley who manages and mechanics for his own kid.
The best thing of all those talks were that I got *confirmation* of all that I initially thought was just me:
- I have not been making that much progress, engine speed wise - but when my engine WAS fast, like several weeks ago when I managed to lead 8 out of 10 laps of rolling start practice, I was GOOD.
- the people who are supposed to be looking after me, was NOT
- Yadi's just not good for me. Period.
After asking questions, getting answers. exchanging phone numbers, then sleeping on it, doing calculations and some research, here's the result:
The Bad News:
> Starting a private team turned out not to be *that* much cheaper after all. In terms of monthly cost, it only cut about (estimated) $45. Plus there's the added hassle of having to organize the transport to and from circuit and to and from the truck pool. Plus, that would mean that I have to store my kart at home (which Mom kinda frowned on when I mentioned that possibility) and I haven't had enough time to find a good mechanic that is available - and I can work well with.
> Joining another team is also somewhat sketchy; Djakarta Theatre uses Tony Kart (because Nicky holds Tony Kart license for Indonesia) and Shadaff Kiky's owner Didi is license holder for Swiss Hutless. I'm currently using Birel, and for all I know there had been no Birel-based team so far. I tried Swiss Hutless for 2 days and I don't like it - it's like a power-steering overdose, especially after driving a stiffer (but tougher) CRG for almost 1 year. Tony Kart has the advantage of being easier to get in terms of spare parts, but I never really tried it.
> Also, both teams are now full... I'm not sure if they will be able to handle an additional driver properly.
The Good News:
> Ferry (after a lengthy talk, a sharing of contract details, a lunch and more talk) at the end of the conversation half-jokingly hoped that I won't leave. He did notice and agreed with me on how Yadi behaves, and he even offered to talk to Yadi for me. That was not the point, although I'd be very grateful if he did, but the most important thing was by having him there every week (because Dino is 15 and can't drive yet) he believed that he can help me with Yadi issues and maybe Yadi will listen more to him. Moreover, I gained a new friend and I hope he can help me with my racing too. Also, the worst case scenario is that maybe Ferry will see for himself whether or not Yadi is as good as his expectations.
So: the final decision was to stay with Renatama for another batch of 12 practices, with consequences:
- I have to just grin and bear it if Yadi is still not making any progress
- I would befriend Ferry and get him to teach and coach me
- In the background I have to start laying the foundations, gathering information and doing whatever is possible to get the best - either move to another team or prepare for a private team...
*sigh*
Ferry did mention, "oh gosh.. a pity I don't have a team anymore - if I still do, I'd draft you in right now"
I wish he did.
Just the fact that I came there in street clothes with no gear was enough to get a good and fruitful conversation going. :)
Talked to Dirsa's Dad, Bambang who was drafted by Djakarta Theater's Nicky Tjonnadi, then a lengthy talk with Ferry Asmasoebrata (who has recently joined Renatama), then Toto of Speedy Karting, Max who manages the circuit and have 2 sons in racing, Stanley who manages and mechanics for his own kid.
The best thing of all those talks were that I got *confirmation* of all that I initially thought was just me:
- I have not been making that much progress, engine speed wise - but when my engine WAS fast, like several weeks ago when I managed to lead 8 out of 10 laps of rolling start practice, I was GOOD.
- the people who are supposed to be looking after me, was NOT
- Yadi's just not good for me. Period.
After asking questions, getting answers. exchanging phone numbers, then sleeping on it, doing calculations and some research, here's the result:
The Bad News:
> Starting a private team turned out not to be *that* much cheaper after all. In terms of monthly cost, it only cut about (estimated) $45. Plus there's the added hassle of having to organize the transport to and from circuit and to and from the truck pool. Plus, that would mean that I have to store my kart at home (which Mom kinda frowned on when I mentioned that possibility) and I haven't had enough time to find a good mechanic that is available - and I can work well with.
> Joining another team is also somewhat sketchy; Djakarta Theatre uses Tony Kart (because Nicky holds Tony Kart license for Indonesia) and Shadaff Kiky's owner Didi is license holder for Swiss Hutless. I'm currently using Birel, and for all I know there had been no Birel-based team so far. I tried Swiss Hutless for 2 days and I don't like it - it's like a power-steering overdose, especially after driving a stiffer (but tougher) CRG for almost 1 year. Tony Kart has the advantage of being easier to get in terms of spare parts, but I never really tried it.
> Also, both teams are now full... I'm not sure if they will be able to handle an additional driver properly.
The Good News:
> Ferry (after a lengthy talk, a sharing of contract details, a lunch and more talk) at the end of the conversation half-jokingly hoped that I won't leave. He did notice and agreed with me on how Yadi behaves, and he even offered to talk to Yadi for me. That was not the point, although I'd be very grateful if he did, but the most important thing was by having him there every week (because Dino is 15 and can't drive yet) he believed that he can help me with Yadi issues and maybe Yadi will listen more to him. Moreover, I gained a new friend and I hope he can help me with my racing too. Also, the worst case scenario is that maybe Ferry will see for himself whether or not Yadi is as good as his expectations.
So: the final decision was to stay with Renatama for another batch of 12 practices, with consequences:
- I have to just grin and bear it if Yadi is still not making any progress
- I would befriend Ferry and get him to teach and coach me
- In the background I have to start laying the foundations, gathering information and doing whatever is possible to get the best - either move to another team or prepare for a private team...
*sigh*
Ferry did mention, "oh gosh.. a pity I don't have a team anymore - if I still do, I'd draft you in right now"
I wish he did.