Ever Notice

JIM SILVERHEELS · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject: Ever Notice

Ever notice the Arrow and Italkart user guides seem to be written by the same author ? If so, wouldn't you think the manufacturer of each kart would write about their own product ?

Always wondered if the chassis's were made by just trial and error or actually designed by mechanical engineers using rhyme and reason.

True story, was at a track where the competitor was on the phone with the manufacturer of it'snewly developed chassis. He was unhappy with the handling and was told by them to cut the front bar in the middle. They did that and it did handle better. The chassis is not being built anymore to my knowledge.

Just been on my mind for awhile.
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Josh Buttafoco · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:13 pm Post subject:

Whats your point?

Does a user guide really factor into the quality of the kart? Its all basic theories that you learn yourself through trial and error... in testing.

I am sure chassis are developed through real on track testing... How else would you like to see a design improved?

I saw Italkart had Nacastro running a prototype frame out at Supernats... to me that is awesome. Real ON TRACK testing at one on of the biggest events in the US.

I am not sure why Arrow or Italkart were your choices to pick on here, but their results speak for themselves.

Michael Knauf · Joined: 31 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

There are no engineers smart enough to design karts. I've been assured this many times Rolling Eyes

Seriously a lot are not designed by engineers though. And being an engineer myself I can safely say that a lot of stuff is designed by trial and error anyway.

If I've learned anything from observation in racing and about race engineering the best stuff comes from engineers and drivers that can work together as a team... especially when you get up to higher levels, no one person has all the skills to do it all.

Back in the day when things were a bit more grassroots you'd see good stuff coming from guys that knew how to drive, design, and build their own stuff. That is more and more rare these days.
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JIM SILVERHEELS · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:47 pm Post subject: Josh

Josh, not picking on Arrow or Italkart as you might think. Just thought it odd a manufacturer would dole out a user's manual to be written by an outside firm as it appears to be. Just was on my mind.

Mike, that was what I thought, trial and error. Formulas weren't in the design of a kart.

I was told by the European kart dealers that they have the best metals, ya believe it?

BTW have you seen the new design for the multi position cross bar in back of the PCR karts? Saw that in Go Magazine.

Think I'm gonna git my saw out and experiment ! J/K
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Joey Guyon · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:45 pm Post subject:

Why get your saw out when you can buy a kart that's designed to allow you to move that bar?

The kart is very good. We ran it 3 times this year in Rotax on Mojo tires at National events.

Canadian Nationals: Qual 8, Heats: 2, 5, 5, Pre-final:2, Final: 6

Western Canadian Championship (skipped round 1/2): 3-2nd, 4-th, 5-1st, 6-1st

Have yet to test it on MG White... driver is in College now so have limited time to race - let alone test.

Seems to be best on mid to high grip tracks that flow (with Mojo anyhow).

Main rails are 28mm.

JIM SILVERHEELS · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 8:00 pm Post subject: Joe

Joe, karts same price for you Canucks as in the States?
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Chris Livengood · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 10:31 pm Post subject:

If I had to hang out in Calgary I'd have gone mad, surely.

Somebody should do some work on the 'laws of karting.'
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Michael Knauf · Joined: 31 Oct 2011 Posts: 58

Joey Guyon · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 8:22 am Post subject:

There are very few sane people here as you know Chris. Get me that Maranello chassis from a few years back and a Sodi futura. That should give me some winter projects Wink

Ihor Bilyy · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 10:54 am Post subject:

If you want to see engineering approach to chassis, google for book "Kart Chassis Setup Theory and Practical Guide". The only book if this kind.