I have read the article once again.
First of all, thanks for the story, certainly much better than timeattack official. Why? for us that werent in the event, until now, we have ZERO clues of what was going on. Media coverage is poor, although this is consider private organised event, maybe the 'rights' are reserve to magazines.
here are my finding of the story:
" With the clock ticking, and without any spare lug nuts, I had to remove one from the other rear wheel to replace the broken front piece, and headed out onto track at 1.10pm (10 minutes late) for Session 1 of the EURO class with only 4 lugnuts in both my rear wheels."
This is very risk taking and should not been done. If the case was taken seriously, this could end with disqualified, but that's up to race official decision. Despite everything bad happen, you still took the car out, and go for 4 meaningless laps. You know you couldnt not "all out" with fear inside of you. (which at time was very conservative, and good. God knows what could happen if you risk it.)
Conclusion for your first stint? killing your tire other than get some feel on the track.
I dont have any racing experience in sepang yet, but was involve in racing team before. Rule of thumb for motor racing, regardless privateer or manufacturers, it's all about teamwork; regardless privateer or manufacturers, you still need a crew to sort out everything.
Since i am yet fortunate to own those french or german hot rides, hall of of those marque seems meaningless for outsider to me. For those who care, have they done better? you are in the race, but situation came out, other than they buzz in fb page and whatsapp, what have to done to help you to live up the expectation of keeping/fighting the glory? regardless you're the real challenger or not? I dare to say, there are some love to claim credit while it's great and fade away while it flopped. You spirit of putting everything of you in the race is very encouraging and it should be embrace.
highlight between privateer or manufacturer, the real advantage is the time and cost they put into tuning the cars (Which out of others control, other than official). But:
1. Everyone here can organise better team with great teamwork. Perhaps, RS250 group should do something like this. For me personally, it will be an honour to be part of something which I stood for, even it's volunteering.
2. They may have better parts, but doesnt mean you dont need better tools. Like i said in earlier post, torque wrench is always recommended. This is what i observed after few years away from malaysia. We still invest thousand and hundred in tuning or modified the ride we like, but hardly or on low percentage invest on proper tools to do the job. I believe tuning or modified is a great learning curve, but often, we just spend some money, ask other completed the job without knowing what is going on other than read the "HP" figure in the end. You may not the one, but i have to admit I was the one few years back, i'm pretty sure there are a lot like this. (Looks good beside hot ride, huh?) if this culture is going to continue, motor racing in malaysia it's hard to move on another level. (i might slap my own mouth in future... maybe)
3. I not sure whether you have Strategy for the race, maybe you do, but keep it private. I know alot cars were pre-setup prior to sepang. I think condition of the track is vary from time to time, being able to reaction to the condition will give the team a huge boost. Still remember those day in racing event, my role of the day is observe the weather condition, and we were fortunate to put our car into perfect timing was handed our team third place for the event. That's should be same to tuning and setting, i guess. Installation laps, feel the track, feedback, minor adjustment on setup, the out for flying laps again, repeating until time end or goal achieve. Wing Han dare to target 2:32, surely they have some strategy on it, will you agree?
I must talked to much, sounds like a keyboard hero again. but i hope there are some value you could take along with.