KUALA LUMPUR – Many assume that motor racing merely involves a driver jumping into a car, hitting the track and working to be first to cross the finish line.
However, there is so much more that goes into preparing for a race weekend.
National racer Jazeman Jaafar, who drives for Johor Racing in the GT World Challenge Asia, said there is more than meets the eye when a team arrives at the track for a race weekend.
“With all the teams being so competitive, every single detail matters and every ounce of data is crucial.
“Teams sometimes turn up to the track days before a scheduled practice begins hoping to gain an advantage over their opponents,” he told The Vibes at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) ahead of the first round of the GT World Challenge Asia.
The 29-year-old said testing the car before qualifying gives the team a good baseline of the car’s performance.
“Over the weekend, there are many factors that can change. Track temperatures can cause grip levels to differ.
“Practicing gives us a chance to see how the car reacts to different conditions as well as prepares the drivers to adapt as quickly as possible.
“The team awaits feedback from the drivers to know how the tires are working, whether the setup is effective, to find the right balance and extract the best performance to clock in the ultimate lap time,” he said.
Jazeman, who also races for Team Virage in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), added that both the car and its drivers undergo countless changes throughout the weekend leading up to a race.
“After each session, the car changes. Even the most minuscule difference can be felt by the driver.
“Based on live data feed from the car, engineers are already planning the necessary upgrades to be made for the next session.
“By race day, it’s already a different ball game with each team employing different types of tires and levels of fuel load,” said Jazeman.
As there are two drivers who will swap during the course of a race, he added, it is vital for both to be in sync with the other.
“Both drivers need to be racing with one mind. I can’t have a setup that my teammate can’t cope with and vice versa.
“When one of us feels that a change needs to be made, it has to be agreed by both parties to ensure the maximum potential from the car can be extracted,” he said.
Under the soaring heat in SIC, Jazeman also added that the drivers need to be well fed and hydrated to cope with the high stress during a session.
“In this heat, drivers can lose up to 2kg in water weight. Our nutritionists monitor our daily activities to ensure that we are fit and can perform at our best.
“This goes to show that every member of the team has their role and each plays a crucial part in the team’s overall success,” he added.
The GT World Challenge Asia will kick off its first round at SIC, followed by four races in Japan from July until September, and the final race in Mandalika, Indonesia in October.
This weekend at SIC will also feature the first round of the Malaysian Championship Series, Caterham Championship, and the Toyota GR Sprint Cup. – The Vibes, May 21, 2022.
