Safety Improvements at Tuas Circuit (Now with Pics)

[Hartholomew]

Hi everyone,

 

It's me again, the long-winded jerk of Lion City motorcycling and self proclaimed one-man Chief Editor, Lead Journalist, Bike Tester, Crash Test Dummy and Centerfold Model extraordinaire of the underground "Ride It Like You Stole It" magazine.

 

I'll try to keep it short this time:

 

A few of us (you know who you are) were at the Tuas Circuit yesterday (Sunday, 15th Mar '09) and spent most of the morning and better part of the afternoon, making Turns 1 and 2 safer for all.

 

A brief summary of what had been done:

 

Turn 1:

 

Tyre barrier lining the pit entrance route cutting across the Turn 1 run-off area removed, giving riders unobstructed run off all the way to the fencing (estimated 15 feet), without having to deal with getting flung off the bike after hitting a tire barrier 4 feet from the end of the track.

 

Big stones and debris were cleared by hand as best as everyone could manage from the run off area, to make crashing less damaging to bike & rider.

 

Turn 2: Soil & gravel were used to make a "home made" rumble strip to even out the outside exit edge of Turn 2, giving riders more chance of saving an off-track excursion (with potential to visit the bus interchange) as it was a half foot drop and a slope before.

 

Again, big stones and debris were cleared or covered with soil & gravel by hand as best as everyone could manage from the run off area, to make crashing less damaging to bike & rider.

_________________________________________________________________

 

All this was done manually and believe me, it was back breaking work.

 

What was achieved that day may not be a giant leap in safety, but it's a start and it shows that some bikers are willing to volunteer to sacrifice their own rest/leisure/family time, to selflessly fix problems & take on work that in my opinion, was someone else's job.

 

I urge everyone active in biking, Tuas Circuit user or not, to lend a helping hand in this. The group has a mental plan for the Sundays ahead, to continually work on the rest of the turns to make riding safer and in the end, more enjoyable.

 

In my mind, I now have a good idea of who are the riders that really care, although there are some that wanted to be there, but had commitments that they could not get out of.

 

It's not too late though, hopefully this will be a continuous process and everyone will have a chance to participate. I am sure that the group will appreciate whatever help they can get.

 

Obviously, I hope to see more of the people directly linked with the sport & circuit taking an active role in this, not taking for granted the FREE labor that is being donated - It is surprising what your presence can signify and more importantly, what your absence can be translated to. I'll leave that for you to figure out, I dont want to teach you what you should already know by now.

 

For all riders, you will be surpirsed at the insight that can be shared by the veterans while "walking the track" in this safety exercise. It will make you better, safer and ultimately faster riders and open your eyes up to things you will never realise while riding the track.

 

I want to personally thank (in no particular order), some of the industry's people that were there and are obviously great ambassadors of the sport and genuine lovers of 2 wheels.

 

Ah Seng - Certified Mad Man

Angelo - Transplanted American Schooled Supermoto Psycho

Shah Oli - Bike Tech 21 High Priest of Horsepower

Mustafa - Bike Tech 21 Alter Boy of Horsepower and Fishtailing Legend

Awai - The Shy Motorcycle Hooligan of Sporting Motorcycles and Triumph Factory Rider

Joseph Lee - Celebrity Riding Consultant to the Best in the Business

Sato - S&R Engineering's tobbacco addict

 

Not forgetting everyone else who helped, you know who you are and - you guys ROCK.

 

Sporting Motorcycles even volunteered their own truck to carry soil and paid for drinks after!!!!!!!!!!! Good on them, but we want BEER!!!!!

 

Damn, another long post, Oops.

 

Dehydrated,

 

Hartholomew Mamola

Edited March 16, 2009 by Hartholomew

[phudzlee]

Hi everyone,

 

It's me again, the long-winded jerk of Lion City motorcycling and self proclaimed one-man Chief Editor, Lead Journalist, Bike Tester, Crash Test Dummy and Centerfold Model extraordinaire of the underground "Ride It Like You Stole It" magazine.

 

I'll try to keep it short this time:

 

A few of us (you know who you are) were at the Tuas Circuit yesterday (Sunday, 15th Mar '09) and spent most of the morning and better part of the afternoon, making Turns 1 and 2 safer for all.

 

A brief summary of what had been done:

 

Turn 1:

 

Tyre barrier lining the pit entrance removed, giving riders unobstructed run off all the way to the fencing (estimated 15 feet), without having to deal with getting flung off the bike after hitting a tire barrier 4 feet from the end of the track.

 

Big stones and debris were cleared by hand as best as everyone could manage from the run off area, to make crashing less damaging to bike & rider.

 

Turn 2: Soil & gravel were used to make a "home made" rumble strip to even out the outside exit edge of Turn 2, giving riders more chance of saving an off-track excursion (with potential to visit the bus interchange) as it was a half foot drop and a slope before.

 

Again, big stones and debris were cleared or covered with soil & gravel by hand as best as everyone could manage from the run off area, to make crashing less damaging to bike & rider.

_________________________________________________________________

 

All this was done manually and believe me, it was back breaking work.

 

What was achieved that day may not be a giant leap in safety, but it's a start and it shows that some bikers are willing to volunteer to sacrifice their own rest/leisure/family time, to selflessly fix problems & take on work that in my opinion, was someone else's job.

 

I urge everyone active in biking, Tuas Circuit user or not, to lend a helping hand in this. The group has a mental plan for the Sundays ahead, to continually work on the rest of the turns to make riding safer and in the end, more enjoyable.

 

In my mind, I now have a good idea of who are the riders that really care, although there are some that wanted to be there, but had commitments that they could not get out of.

 

It's not too late though, hopefully this will be a continuous process and everyone will have a chance to participate. I am sure that the group will appreciate whatever help they can get.

 

Obviously, I hope to see more of the people directly linked with the sport & circuit taking an active role in this, not taking for granted the FREE labor that is being donated - It is surprising what your presence can signify and more importantly, what your absence can be translated to. I'll leave that for you to figure out, I dont want to teach you what you should already know by now.

 

For all riders, you will be surpirsed at the insight that can be shared by the veterans while "walking the track" in this safety exercise. It will make you better, safer and ultimately faster riders and open your eyes up to things you will never realise while riding the track.

 

I want to personally thank (in no particular order), some of the industry's people that were there and are obviously great ambassadors of the sport and genuine lovers of 2 wheels.

 

Ah Seng - Certified Mad Man

Angelo - Transplanted American Schooled Supermoto Psycho

Shah Oli - Bike Tech 21 High Priest of Horsepower

Mustafa - Bike Tech 21 Alter Boy of Horsepower and Fishtailing Legend

Awai - The Shy Motorcycle Hooligan of Sporting Motorcycles and Triumph Factory Rider

Joseph Lee - Celebrity Riding Consultant to the Best in the Business

Sato - S&R Engineering's tobbacco addict

 

Not forgetting everyone else who helped, you know who you are and - you guys ROCK.

 

Sporting Motorcycles even volunteered their own truck to carry soil and paid for drinks after!!!!!!!!!!! Good on them, but we want BEER!!!!!

 

Damn, another long post, Oops.

 

Dehydrated,

 

Hartholomew Mamola

 

Kudos to all who helped in 1 way or another.. Hopefully I could make myself useful after I recover from my injuries due to a crash in another track.

[sICkbOi-dOt-cOm]

Have a speedy recovery I guess the another track you mention is across the border?? That track really need to touch up... lay new gravel better..

[phudzlee]

Have a speedy recovery I guess the another track you mention is across the border?? That track really need to touch up... lay new gravel better..

 

Thanx bro.... ... U hit the nail on the head .. Hahahahaha...

[daigo34]

great jobs guys....:thumb:well done.....for making tuas track much more safer to ride n race:)

[Raptor]

Here's the link to the pics of the work done that day.

 

Complete Guide to Big Boys Gardening

[Raptor]

All work and no play makes one a dull person....

 

So we started playing after the work was done.. photos courtesy of vfr from supermoto.sg. (The only female supermoto racer and now pro photographer.)

 

http://inlinethumb48.webshots.com/42799/2566708170104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb61.webshots.com/44604/2507684620104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/43574/2038512860104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/43942/2796549910104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/1152/2785800440104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/42025/2852604340104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/42414/2667238380104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb45.webshots.com/44268/2826129420104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/40646/2119670290104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb24.webshots.com/44503/2267929800104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

Edited March 16, 2009 by Raptor

[Raptor]

And we played some more....

 

The pics were so clear... you can check out all the tyre brands by their thread patterns..

 

Also.. its the same corner, different linings and body posture, road race and motocross styles.

 

 

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/43634/2125848340104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/43731/2322405250104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb37.webshots.com/41252/2745342830104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/42922/2951928540104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb44.webshots.com/41963/2210967020104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/21846/2553616960104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/45045/2228355600104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/43508/2307987450104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/41679/2232014710104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/31670/2207220170104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

http://inlinethumb63.webshots.com/21758/2483248450104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

[phudzlee]

Great PICS!!!

 

And GREAT EFFORT Guys!!!:thumb:

[GuiNNeSS]

http://inlinethumb32.webshots.com/10655/2809919600104294378S600x600Q85.jpg

 

WOW~!

[Hartholomew]

Woah, those are some really good pictures.

 

I'm impressed, that girl has skills with a lens.

 

Wah Laptor,

 

You load the front alot ah.... and it's clear to see that the people on those new Michelin Power Ones have got alot more confidence.

 

Come on now, I want to see a full on rev limiter powerslide!

 

All crossed up,

 

Hartholomew Mamola

[Rsexxyy]

Woah, those are some really good pictures.

 

I'm impressed, that girl has skills with a lens.

 

Wah Laptor,

 

You load the front alot ah.... and it's clear to see that the people on those new Michelin Power Ones have got alot more confidence.

 

Come on now, I want to see a full on rev limiter powerslide!

 

All crossed up,

 

Hartholomew Mamola

 

yeah..the Power 1 gave me renewed confidence.. for Michelin

 

Yeah..Raptor-san, full on slide into corners man!!! I wanna see...

[EVOIIIGSR]

 

great news!!!

[Raptor]

yeah..the Power 1 gave me renewed confidence.. for Michelin

 

Yeah..Raptor-san, full on slide into corners man!!! I wanna see...

 

I can do that.... sadly only in my wettest dreams. Sigh.