Driving in the rain

So its another cold and wet day here in Gauteng, a little late in the season but the rain still falls. I love the rain, unless I have to drive in it.

Sadly it seems the Gauteng drivers still haven't twigged that rain, can be dangerous, because roads,...you guessed it, are slippery when wet.

The idea is that we all slow down, break sooner but more gently,and are just generally more careful on the roads.

So to all the Gautengers out there this weekend, take it easy, your cars aren't racecars or boats.

E-tolls

So there is a lot of talk about the new Gauteng e-Toll system being put in place in South Africa. I am of mixed opinion currently.

Yes, it is going to cost some of us an awful lot of money each month, yes its going to pay for fixing up roads that should have been maintained by our government, yes we as South Africans already pay an exorbitant amount on our petrol.....but, on the other hand....wouldn't it be great driving on beautifully maintained huge 5 lane highways, especially if this tolling brings down the amount of vehicles on the road?

I am also wondering how they can even consider starting tolling when the highway renovation is far from complete? The N12 is still a complete shambles and a nightmare for those who have to use it daily. How can you start charging a toll when you have not completed the upgrade this toll is meant to pay for? And how can one highway (the N3) be completed so beautifully, including the fly over at Gillooleys without disrupting traffic, and yet the renovation of the N12 is a complete joke.

There is talk that this type of tolling system was attempted in Germany and failed, if this is true, then how will it ever work in South Africa?
And yet it is already running in Australia

What do you think? Will it work? Will you be buying an e-tag? or will you be part of the boycott? Have you attended the strikes?

How much will you be paying?

I have been reading up on the toll and there are definite pro's and con's. They have now changed the tariff to 30c/km with a cap of R550, but how long will this last? Will they just wait till we relent and purchase our e-tags and then increase the toll and loose the cap?


Here are some other articles on the e-tolling

http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/why-electronic-tolling-system-will-fall-on-its-face-1.1204519

http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/The_Gauteng_e-Tolls/634/

http://www.sanral.co.za/e-toll/

F400 karting- 4 stroke racing

                                                     Great fun for the whole family!!!!!!!

This sunday we spent the day at the Vereeniging Kart track watching Round 2 of the F400 Karting challenge. What a blast! If you love to race, love the thrill of speed and adrenalin then you have to consider this as an amazing new family sport.

F400 Starting line up at VKC

Training up the next Balwin

Balwin Family Team

4 stroke karting is a fast growing sport in SA, the great things about it are that firstly its fun, Secondly the whole family can get involved and most importantly it's affordable.




4 stroke racing is unique in that, the racing is run with only 4 stroke motors that are cheap and controlled to prevent cheque book racing and allow for fair competition. The classes are focused primarily at the F400 and F200 groups.  The classes are as follows ( thanks to Gary Balwin)

 

Classes 

F400  (Age group 15years to 55 plus)

This class runs the Honda 13hp motor. Designed for 1 or 2 hour sprint racing. The motor has certain controlled modifications bringing the power to 22HP at 5200rpm and the torque to 40Nm. Weight category is 175kg.

F200 Juniors (Age group from 7 to 14 years)

This class runs with a Hoffmann 212cc motor pushing out 12 hp and 19Nm torque. Designed for sprint racing of round 15 to 30 minutes. Weight category is 130kg. Sealed motors are issued with specific changes to the motors to improve performance but keeping consistency. Class is designed to allow for the children to start in this sport as a filler.

In the F400 races, teams consist of 2 to 3 drivers, which take turns to race their kart. In the F200, one driver will race their kart.

Balwin Family Team

 Each class has to compete in about 3 heats at each race day.
Many families compete in these races with the adults in the F400 class and the kids in the F200 class. It is a wonderful way to spend time together and to motivate each other.

Part of Team Mutti

 And best of all there are teams of all ages racing, even over 50's. It takes passion and commitment to get to the top though, as each team is in charge of its own karts maintenance during and after races.
Generally there is 1 race every month, at alternating Kart Circuits including, Kyalami, Vereeniging, Swartkops and Bloemfontein

Team Allstar

At  each race prizes are given  including trophies and medals and for the adults sometimes a shooter or 2. These prizes are not just for positions but also for team of the day amongst other more silly achievments.
The prize giving is always a laugh, with all the teams getting on well. I love going to these races and seeing these wonderful people having such a great time even after competing against each other all day.
At the end of each year, the results from all the races are tallied up and each team is given a new number, which they will race under as their kart number for the next year.

F200's going out to race

The Stig ( I think he's about 7 or 8 yrs old)

Tripod pushing their kart to the pits

Andrea crossing the finish line!

This sunday was an eventful day for many teams including one of my favorites Tripod Racing. It seemed that everything that could go wrong for them, went wrong that day, from engine troubles to loosing a wheel.

Tripod pushing their kart to the pits.......Again

 Tripod Consists of Andrea, Gregor and Murray

Tripod! No matter what, they'll cross the finish line.....even if they have to push!

sneaking the Kart through the pedestrian gate

with the help of the C.O.C

Murray! Exhausted after such a hectic day!