Karting Rear Wheel Rain Setup?!

[Dave Cabansay]

I’m new to karting and I’ve noticed that people in my track often put the rear hubs out farther especially when its raining. I’m wondering, what does this do? Does it add more grip?  Also, what is the neutral setting for this?

[Randy McKee]

Odd that they would go wider in the rear for rain setup.  All rain setups that I’ve used involve going wider in front (a lot wider) and then setting rear approx same or slightly skinnier than the front.  Rear rain rims/tires are also not as wide to begin with, so that makes the rear narrower by default.

In the rain the kart wants to push really hard on turn entry, so the goal is to get the kart to tip easier by using a wide front (lots of mechanical jacking effect) and skinny rear.

I’ll see if I can dig up a good rain setup guide.

 

 

[Randy McKee]

I found Nick Firestone’s rain setup guide but it requires a subscription to his newsletter.  His newsletter is definitely worth it, so if interested buy it or try the free trial issue:

http://firestonekartinfo.com/?cat=11

 

 

[Gary Lawson]

The only time this is common is under sanctioning bodies where the rear tired must stick outside the cik bodywork like rotax. The narrower rims make the rear narrower than the bumpers.

Otherwise the people you’re talking to are making a mistake.

[Dave Cabansay]

Thanks Randy and Gary for the reply.  I’m going to buy the subscription Randy, and yes Gary I am racing a Rotax.  I guess the only way to fully understand this is trying it out for myself.  I think I’m understanding what you guys are saying for the most part.  Lucky for me, it will be raining tomorrow so it’s a good opportunity for me to learn some things.  Thanks again guys.  I appreciate the replies.

[Gary Lawson]

So to be clear rotax rules mandate that the tire/wheel must be even or wider than the outside of your bodywork.

[Author]

Posts