 |
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Pete Mottaz
Joined: 03 Jan 2004
Posts: 65
Location: United States, California,
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 10:43 pm Post subject: first road race |
 |
|
Woo hoo...just did my first road race at Sears Point/Infineon today. All I can say is what a kick. I never got the kart jetted correctly so it'd bog (too rich) on corner exit and top of sixth, but way too much fun none-the-less.
When the 250 shifter karts (some were 4xx four strokes) would blow by, it was almost like the shove a 18-wheeler truck gives as it passes by. Just amazing. It is really too bad Sears only allows the karts to run once a year. They (Norcal Karters) run all of their regular season at Thunderhill and Fernley, Nevada.
At this point, I can't wait till next year. I've heard Thunderhill is quite fun as well.
If any of you have an opportunity to run on a road course, I highly recommend it.
Pete |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Ryan D Thompson
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 199
Location: United States, Georgia,
|
| Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 10:57 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| how was your jetting compared to your normal auto-x jetting? I plan on doing mostly long track racing next year and don't know how high to start out on the jets. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pete Mottaz
Joined: 03 Jan 2004
Posts: 65
Location: United States, California,
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 9:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ryan D Thompson wrote: | | how was your jetting compared to your normal auto-x jetting? I plan on doing mostly long track racing next year and don't know how high to start out on the jets. |
I started with a 200 main and 60 pilot, DGG needle on the 3rd notch from the top and the ignition on the most conservative curve - which was the recommended setting from my engine builder. Also everything I'd heard was that you need to run much bigger main jetting since you're at wot for so long.
I ended up using a 190/60 and the needle on the 2nd notch for the last heat, upon the advise of a f125 rr veteran (he had recommended a DGH needle but I didn't have one). That was still too rich.
If I would have been going by my regular jetting chart, given input from my oracle (my weatherstation)  , I'd probably be running anywhere from 178 to 188. I think for the future, I may just go 1-3 sizes richer over what I'd normally run at the sprint track or an autocross. But I'll have a conversation with my builder before doing so.
Lastly, if you don't have a pump around system, I'd advise getting it since I think another problem I may have been experiencing was some fuel starvation. Most of the rr f125s I lookded at had pump arounds.
Pete |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ryan D Thompson
Joined: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 199
Location: United States, Georgia,
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 11:25 am Post subject: |
|
|
| I've already got the pumparound. I'm just worried about jetting right now. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bob Monday
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 91
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 3:35 pm Post subject: Pumparound |
|
|
Pete:
You may want to look at the clearance between the reed cage and pulse port. I had a problem with that which only really manifested itself on the long tracks. Swedetech used to cut a "channel" in their reed cage to make sure that vacuum got to the port. My Vortex reed cage had no problem though. I've run both a float carb and a pumparound, and really found no difference as long as I had a bypass valve and return line between the fuel pump and carb. When I didn't have that, it flooded the floated carb due to g-forces sloshing fuel in the corners, filling the bowl, etc. A pumparound certainly ends ALL those problems.
I have to say that I, too, like the long tracks. I feel safer because there's not as much slicing and dicing as on the <1 mile sprint tracks. You may find that folks will point which way they're going to move, while others point which way they want faster karts to pass (point to which side). That varies by club. The draft is pretty cool, huh? You can easily pick up 10 mph or more on the long straights if you get hooked up with a faster kart in front of you.
Your main jet did sound quite rich. I'll go one or two jets richer than normal, but not nearly as much as you did. Your pilot sounds reasonable, though bogging off the corner would tend to be a pilot. Too low of a pinot and you stick the motor when you lift at the end of long straights (hot motor, no lubrication). That's what the pilot does, especially if you don't set the motor to idle.
Did you change the alignment to slow down steering response? If not, your kart may have felt twitchy... not something you want at 100 mph+. Quick response is good for autocross and sprint tracks.
Bob Monday |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pete Mottaz
Joined: 03 Jan 2004
Posts: 65
Location: United States, California,
|
| Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2005 8:45 pm Post subject: Re: Pumparound |
|
|
| Bob Monday wrote: | Pete:
You may want to look at the clearance between the reed cage and pulse port. I had a problem with that which only really manifested itself on the long tracks. Swedetech used to cut a "channel" in their reed cage to make sure that vacuum got to the port. My Vortex reed cage had no problem though. |
I have a swedetech so that shouldn't be a problem but I'll check that anyway
| Quote: | | I've run both a float carb and a pumparound, and really found no difference as long as I had a bypass valve and return line between the fuel pump and carb. When I didn't have that, it flooded the floated carb due to g-forces sloshing fuel in the corners, filling the bowl, etc. A pumparound certainly ends ALL those problems. |
That is what I figured, a pumparound solves a myriad of problems and doesn't really create any.
| Quote: | | I have to say that I, too, like the long tracks. I feel safer because there's not as much slicing and dicing as on the <1 mile sprint tracks. You may find that folks will point which way they're going to move, while others point which way they want faster karts to pass (point to which side). That varies by club. |
The appeal of rr to me was similar, very little if any contact and everyone did give each other a lot of room - I guess that big X on the back of the helmet works!
| Quote: | | The draft is pretty cool, huh? You can easily pick up 10 mph or more on the long straights if you get hooked up with a faster kart in front of you. |
Well since my kart wasn't up to speed, I never got a chance to experience the draft.  Maybe next time.
| Quote: | | Your main jet did sound quite rich. I'll go one or two jets richer than normal, but not nearly as much as you did. Your pilot sounds reasonable, though bogging off the corner would tend to be a pilot. Too low of a pinot and you stick the motor when you lift at the end of long straights (hot motor, no lubrication). That's what the pilot does, especially if you don't set the motor to idle. |
I went with what swedetech told me. Like I mentioned earlier, I'll debrief with them next week to get an idea what to do next time.
| Quote: | | Did you change the alignment to slow down steering response? If not, your kart may have felt twitchy... not something you want at 100 mph+. Quick response is good for autocross and sprint tracks. |
I tried to put my tie rod ends in the center hole on the steering column but they wouldn't fit so I went with what I had. The kart handled pretty well, just had to learn to slow my steering inputs and drive smoothly.
Pete |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Dick George
Joined: 19 Oct 2001
Posts: 545
Location: United States, California, Huntington Beach
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Pete,
Yeah Sears is such rush!!! They have another race there on March 18th. And, if you're getting into RR, you have to try Thunderhill!
People generally seem to be more conscious of other drivers in RR, when you're doing in excess of 110 MPH, you don't want some clown banging you.
See you ! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Pete Mottaz
Joined: 03 Jan 2004
Posts: 65
Location: United States, California,
|
| Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2005 12:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Dick George wrote: | Pete,
Yeah Sears is such rush!!! They have another race there on March 18th. And, if you're getting into RR, you have to try Thunderhill!
People generally seem to be more conscious of other drivers in RR, when you're doing in excess of 110 MPH, you don't want some clown banging you.
See you ! |
I plan on doing as many of the NCK races as I can next year. They just released their calendar. Unfortunately I already have scheduling conflicts with most of the races including the Sears race in March (darn it). Too much to do and not enough time to do it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
Go Top
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Login to check your private messages
Login
