Why I am so fast! (Kyle Gregg’s response)

So, curiosity would not allow me to let sleeping dogs lie. In the previous blog, I made mention of  an individual’s discomfort with a competitor’s blinding speed. But, when I did my own checks, what I saw was indeed blinding speed, but, not by the individual who was accused – yes – he was fast, but not as eye-opening  fast, in my opinion, as TSR’s Kyle ‘Speedy’ Gregg and Alan Chen.

Awesome machines!

What I saw was 2 n/a monsters eating much more powerful machines for breakfast, lunch and dinner! How is it even remotely possible for small displacement, n/a machines, to hand muscle-bound, mega-horsepower machines, defeat by transponder!

I was flabbergasted, so I grabbed my Sherlock Holmes outfit and went in search of clues to the unsolved mystery. We live in an age where information is only a click away or within easy reach along the cellular phone highway. So armed with my notebook, pen and truth-seeking weapons my mission began – I called Kyle!

Our conversation was guided by this question – What is it about your car why it is possible to achieve those times (1:24s)? Kyle, in responding identified several factors, which in his mind, made the incomprehensible time, an easily achievable feat.

He identified several culprits, who acted in unison and as such, they were all responsible for his speed : his current gearbox – a dogbox – his suspension – Tein Circuit Master – his brakes – Brembo – the weight of his machine (or lack thereof) and the inherent attributes of his motor.

I soaked up the information as he distributed it, but, in my mind, I did not find the secret ingredient I sought. What I heard was commonplace for several machines at Dover, but they were not in the low 1:23s. So, the piece of the puzzle, which made it all come together, was still being elusive. I was willing to wait.

My wait was not long. Buried in a few sentences, beneath a mountain of words, clarity arrived. Kyle said words to the effect of – due to his go-kart background and the sound build package of his machine, he is able to “Carry more speed in the corners than everyone else”. He continued, based on questions I asked, to explain the gears he would employ, to enter and exit specific corners. His speed was no longer incomprehensible it was now plausible.

Cruise missile!

Now think about this. Kyle’s machine (according to him) is a shade under 2000lbs, his power is generated by a 2.1 M.A.D motor (2088ccs – 240 plus whp) and he drove his quickest time – 1:23.3, in practice – on ‘old’ – not the best compound – tyres, . He says when he gets the tyre compound that he wants – “Goodyear slicks” – 1:22s will be easily achieved!

He said it best “I am always on the gas!”

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer