A little bit about GRA

It's been a while I didn't post here
since I can't think of anything else to write
I think I'll write something related to cars,
which I initially don't plan to write anything on this in my blog..
This will be a bit long, if you are no interested, just skip this..hehe

I've joined GRA event since last year,
which I enjoyed very much and gained a lot of experience from it.
It is also where I start racing cars.

GRA - Grass Racing Autosports
What we do in GRA is Autocross racing, basically a time trial competition which driver must complete the preset course layout using their own cars in shortest time. Normally the course will be at large car park area or open public road, with some cones to set the course.
For more detail explanation of "Autocross", kindly refer to GRA link as below
http://www.grassracingautosports.com/autocross.phpGRA Autocross Championship is the largest and most active autocross event in Malaysia.
It is sanctioned by MAM(Motorsports Association of Malaysia)
and is the most professionally done autocross event where you can race legally.
Drivers are divided into 2 main categories
Grass Class - for novice drivers who had not won any other similar race event
Pro Grass Class - it just mean for PRO

In each categories, drivers will race according to the class of their cars
-Grass Class below 1300CC, below 1600CC and Automatic Transmission Class.
-Pro Grass below 1300CC, below 1600CC, below 2000CC, and above 2000CC.
If you are interested to know how's the race actually goes,
again plz follow the GRA link below for the official rules and regulations
http://www.grassracingautosports.com/regulation2008.php
Normally before the race start, drivers are allowed to do course walk where you can walk around the course to familiar with the layout, check the direction, apex point of corners, and also road surface condition. This is very important for drivers to give a good run later on.
Then it will start by 1 practice run, and followed by 3 to 6 timed run depend on the schedule of the day.
As there is only 1 practice run given, drivers must memorized the course first as there is no direction given when you are in the race. Drivers must figure out the best driving line and technique thru out the course as soon as possible, and also fine tune the car setup such as suspension damping and tire pressure to give best traction around the course.
In each run, drivers must push their cars to the limit of what their skills and cars can do.
Keep the cars in control is very crucial, as normally the course is set up with very tight corners and the curbs and barrier might be just a few inches away. Slight mistake may cost a big problem.

In GRA we use infra red sensor timing system which give the accuracy of 0.001second, to match with the high level skill of GRA competitors which they normally having time difference of less than 1second. I had the experience of 0.373second slower than the 1st position end up walking home with a silver podium.

Count the cones if you can

I first participated Grass Class A(below 1300cc) with my Iswara Aeroback in 2007 GRA Round4 held in Shah Alam Stadium Car Park, which I finish in 5th position. It was a good start and I continue to join Round5 held in Putrajaya which was a very fast open road course, just beside the Palace of Justice, finish in 4th position with 0.682second behind to get a podium finish. Then it was followed by a lot of upgrades and modification on my car, practice and practice and practice, to target the 1st position in GRA Autocross Championship 2008 which consist of 5rounds in total.Round1 2008 was held in Shah Alam Stadium Car Park again, I've push my car beyond the limit in this round, which I having a very tough race with one of the experienced driver who piloting a well-tuned Kelisa which is very suitable for this tight course layout in Shah Alam. At the end I'm 0.373second behind him and finish in 2nd position.Round3 is again in Shah Alam. As what I've learned from previous round, I did more preparation before the race start. Study the course layout carefully and figure out the best driving line, get best tire traction by adjust the tire pressure, and set up medium suspension damping to suit the road surface which has a lot of sands, rocks, and holes in half of the course. And finally, I finish 1st with 2.189second ahead of the 2nd position. The hard work had finally pay back!In my next post will be the coverage of GRA Round3 which is held in Sepang F1 Circuit Car Park on last weekend. This was the longest, fastest and also most challenging course layout in GRA history. Check back here in few days for the updates!