Tips , Questions for Karting

BEGINNER TIPS - good reading tips for all.
1. STARTING KARTING
2. WHICH CLUB DO I JOIN?
3. WHICH KART DO I BUY?
4. WHAT CLOTHING and HELMETS DO I BUY FOR KARTING?
5. WHAT TO TAKE TO THE TRACK.
6. FIRST DRIVE.
7. DRIVING TIPS
8. WHAT DO THE FLAGS MEAN?
9. TYPES OF KART CLASSES & ENGINES SPECS
10. PERMISSIBLE CHASSIS FOR KARTING IN S.A

1. STARTING KARTING:

Karting is a fun and exciting sport. Many however may look at it as a sport only for the young. It is in fact a sport which caters for, yes the younger one's, but also see the older guys in the bigger horse-powered engine karts.

The engines range from 60cc up to 250cc(normally raced at Kyalami). Each class has its criteria as far as weight, tires, carb, engine, etc... goes. Obviously a lot has to do with driving skill and it is here where drivers such as Senna, Schumacher, Coultart, Alesi and others started off.

You will, over time, learn with your kart such skills as setup, weight distribution, tuning, driving lines and other tactics that most F1 drivers of today are experts at. Karting can be seen as one of the cheapest ways of introducing ones-self to motor-sport.

Outdoor karting is very different to the indoor(4-stroke) karts that a lot of you may have raced. I had done a bit of indoor karting at corporate functions and never knew that there would be such a large increase in speed and power. The acceleration is unbelievable in
the outdoor karts and speeds can be well in excess of 180km/h in the more powerful gearbox class.

But, it is wise to come to a few races before you go out and purchase any kart. Talk to the guys in the pits, get all you need to know to familiarize yourself with the type of kart that would suit you(or one of your family members) best. Remember there are different
kart classes, a few visits to the track will put you in a good position to know which class may be good for you.
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2. WHICH CLUB DO I JOIN

After determining which kart you want, and maybe even purchasing it, you will need to join one of the clubs that serve your province/area. The Natal Kart Club or any of the others will gladly assist you in any query or problem you may have. A nominal yearly fee covers you from membership registration to insurance on the track. All the clubs are full members of the MSA and abide by all the rules and regulations of the MSA. The MSA themselves fall under the International Karting Commission(CIK), thus insuring a high level of standards within the organization.
Family members who want be to involved other than racing can join the Marshals Association of SA. These are invaluable people who watch and assist with judgements, flagging and assisting drivers in accidents etc... , the race would in fact not be run without them. THose wanting to get involved are to please phone Rob Garvie on (031) 442545.

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3. WHICH KART DO I BUY?

Firstly, one cannot just go out any buy any kart and expect to race it on race day. Some classes of karts have a pre-determined chassis and conform to a homologation list set out by the karting division of the MSA. You may have bought a second hand kart from someone, or purchased it through a reputable kart dealer, such as The Kart Pro(Natal) run by Neil Gordon-Watson. Neil won the SA Karting Championship in 1971 and has been racing and involved in karting ever since. His advise and expertise will ensure you get the right equipment.

You may, like many, be limited to the type of kart you can buy because of your budget. Most second hand karts will serve you well, but the chassis may need a clean-up and the engine may need some tuning. Also, as stated early, remember to buy a kart that appears
on the homologation list. Check for alignment of chassis and axil, both can generally be fixed or straightened successfully.

PCR, Birel, Tonykart, Allkart are just a few well known chassis that one may buy. The Kart Pro will assist you here and recommend a kart where parts are easy to obtain and fit into your racing budget. The Kart Pro is in Gillitts,Tel: (031) 764-4789 or from
June 1988 (031) 767-4789.
Kartsport Minarelli, sole importers of Minarelli chassis can be contacted on (031)72-8225.
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4. WHAT CLOTHING and HELMETS DO I BUY FOR KARTING?

All motor sport around the world usually has a standard to adhere to when it comes to clothing. Boots, helmet, rib protector, suit, gloves, neck brace are some of the items you will need for karting. There are a number of manufactures around the world all making excellent accessories for karts; all of which will be of a high standard and
importantly, conform to CIK standards.
However, one must buy an outfit that "does the job", fancy brand names are nice to have but are in most circumstances not a necessity.

Kart suits and accessories that are well known and trusted are:
OMP, SPARCO , RRS racewear , EUROSPORT , TOPGEAR , MIR racewear ....
Helmets are:
SHOEI , BELL , ARAI , LAFE , AGV , BIEFFE ....
this is a list of only a few brands.
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5. WHAT TO TAKE TO THE TRACK.

You are normally the driver and the mechanic. It is important that you firstly know your kart well, that is, that you have a good understanding and ability to strip the chassis down and rebuild the kart.

In doing so you will find that certain tools are needed, these are also needed at the track. Strong reliable, tools are normally seen in the toolbox's of kart drivers.
a) To avoid a cluttered toolbox, take only those tools that fit the nuts, screws, allen-keys of your kart.
b) Take a kart trolley or a trellis to place your kart on when moving or working on it.
c) Remember your race-wear, (including rib-cage protector) and your license for races.
d) All oil, petrol and lubricants such as chain spray.
e) A tire pressure gauge.
f) For all the non gearbox classes, a trolly rack.
g) A spare pit crew is handy to for a push at the start.

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6. FIRST DRIVE:

You may have watched outdoor karting a few times and thought to yourself, "I can give those guys a run for there money". Well think again, there will be guys in a Junior GP class who will lap you driving a powerful 125cc GP kart.
Right, so you have your new kart, helmet and fitted out with all the new hot gear and you take to the track. Slowly learn the track, do not try blitz around the track trying to break the track record - you will only end up breaking your kart and maybe yourself.
Once you are comfortable with the kart, try out the breaking ability of the kart. Try do this on the straight and then on bends, you will find that a well set kart will bring the kart from 100km/h to 0 in about 2-3 seconds(or less). After you can bring your kart to a stop successfully, start to learn the tracks race lines and when and where to brake and accelerate. A kart will stick to the track basically like a F1 car, the kart is low, wide, has a low CG, and the tires are wide in scale of the kart. A good way to learn the race lines is to get a experienced racer to pace in front of you - starting slowly then gradually speeding up after a couple of laps.
Walk the track as well, this should give you a different perspective of the track.

Those driving for the first time in a 125cc Gearbox class will notice a distinct "power-band" in the upper rev sector. It is here where you will want your engine to be in races, the kart seems to "blast-off" with amazing power at about 7500rpm as it shoots to about 13500+rpm. But remember, do not try to show off, respect of these machines will set you in good stead for future races.

Try to go the track on a day where there will be guys or gals to give you tips. They have raced the track and can give you good advise on braking, apex lines, over-taking and other useful info. Take note of all what you asked and learned, but remember, that at the race it is only you and your kart.
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The first question we ask when we go drive a kart is: "How do I do the turn ?". I know most people already know how to do, but some don't know, so... Let's start just right here...
The turning main idea is to make it as straight as possible. We call it tangency. See the track indicated with the yellow line. The next point to talk about is the brake and acceleration points. You need to brake before starting the turn. If you brake after turning the steering wheel you will spin. Don't brake when you're already inside the turn. Ok... Now lets accelerate. When you are at the tangency point (when you're the nearest possible from the inner middle of the turn) start stepping on the accelerator. The truth is that you can step the accelerator when you feel ok. When you feel your kart can go faster without sliding, throttle up !
This part can just be done right training. You must feel the limit of your kart.

Sometimes you'll need to use a trick. Mainly when the kart you're driving is weak. Go into the turn with the kart accelerated. Adjust the speed just using the brake. It will keep the engine with fuel and will make the kart accelerate faster going out of the turn.

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8. WHAT DO THE FLAGS MEAN.

a) Black and White checkered flag (waved): means the end of race.

b) Black and White flags divided diagonally into B&W halves(with race number): indicates to the driver that he is warned of unsportsmanlike behavior.

c) BLACK flag : shown by the Clerk of the Course together with a number board indicates to the competitor whose number is shown that he/she must stop at the pits at the end of the lap.

d) Black flag with Orange disc (with race number): the VECHILE concerned has a potentially dangerous defect and MUST stop at the pits at the end of that lap.

e) RED flag (motionless): all competitors must stop practice or racing immediately and that they must proceed to the pits or place stipulated in the SR's for the event exercising extreme caution and being prepared to stop at any time if necessary.

f) Yellow flag: indicates DANGER; either temporary or permanent, whatever its nature.
A WAVED yellow flag denotes a dangerous situation in the sector following the marshal post concerned. A serious obstruction will be indicated by the use of two(2) yellow flags. When an obstruction occurs in a sector and a yellow flag is being waved, the preceding sector shall show a stationary yellow flag to warn drivers in good time. Should debris be in any sector other than that of the incident, a yellow flag shall be displayed in those sectors. Otherwise if the sector is clear, a green flag will be displayed.
Competitors passing a yellow flag must slow down, maintaining their position relative to the other competitor and being prepared to stop if so instructed by a competent Official.
Drivers must, as soon as they have passed a yellow flag (waved or motionless) slow down, being prepared to stop if necessary and keep their respective positions and may not overtake until they have passed the green flag.

g) Yellow Flag with Red Stripes: indicates a deterioration of surface adhesion due to oil, water etc. It can also be shown to indicate the danger of aquaplaning or going from a dry part of the track to a wet part: this being the case the person holding the flag shall do so and point to the sky. The flag shall be shown for four(4) laps or until the surface has returned to normal.

h) Green flag: denotes "all clear" after a dangerous situation, controlled by yellow flags, or it may be used to start a warm up lap or a parade lap or practice session on instruction from the Clerk of the Course.

i) White flag: denotes either a service vehicle (ambulance etc.) or a competing car moving slowly. It should be waved while the vechile is in the sector and then held stationary while the vehicle reaches the end of the next sector, after which it should be withdrawn. If the vehicle stops, yellow flags must immediately be shown.

J) Blue flags : to be shown in the following situations.
(i) in cases of obvious obstruction
(ii) when the slower vechiles are being over taken by the leader( or quicker vechile).
(iii) when a faster vehicles making up time is working its way through the field.
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Race meeting in Kwa-Zulu Natal cater for the following classes & TYPES OF KART ENGINES

1. Gp Junior
2. 80cc Gearbox
3. 100 Stock
4. Formula 100
5. 125cc Grand Prix
6. 125cc Promo
7. 125cc Clubman

The Gp Junior specifications requires that the kart have a minimum mass of 95kg complete - including driver, helmet and all protective clothing. The ALLKART Mini kart is the only make and type of chassis permitted.
The engine is the Comer S60 equipped with recoil starter and centrifugal clutch, Tillotsen 16mm carburetor type HL 166B. This kart is fitted with rear brakes only and the axil is of a solid 25mm diameter and 90cm to 100cm in length.
Making this class even more competitive, is that all the karts are required to fit only one fixed engine/axle ratio and chain type.
Engine sprocket - 10 Teeth
Axle sprocket - 74 teeth with a Chain pitch of - 3/8"
A fuel mixture of 50:50 2-stroke oil/petrol is used to check the combustion chamber volume.This class is open to all drivers aged 8 to 12yrs.
Vega tyres are used as dry weather slicks.

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The 80cc Gearbox class has a minimum mass of 150kg's and the chassis used are any homolgated chassis for the 100 & 125cc and open to drivers over the age of 14yrs. Tyres used are the Maxxis SL as per 100 stock and any Reed
valve engine of maximum capacity 85.0cc as designed for or originally fitted
to a motorcycle eligible to be raced in the Pro-Minicross Class. The carburetors are free up to a max diameter of 30mm or a swept area of 706.95mm in the case of non circular throats. No change to engine stroke is allowed and the Suzuki RM80 Max oversize pistons may not be used as they exceed this parameter.

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The 100 Stock karts have a minimum mass regulation as raced - including driver, helmet and all protective clothing of 125kg's and 60kg excluding driver.
The only engine permitted is the PCR PV50 complete with Walbro Series WB carburetor and exhaust silencer. The unit cannot be blueprinted(modified) and must be race as supplied. Only boring of the sleeve to suit oversize pistons of
up to 50,38mm is allowed. Chassis are not restricted in this class but must be approved by the MSA in homologated chassis section. Also Maxxis tyres can only be used. This class is open to any driver who have reached 11yrs of age
to 31 December of the year in which their 16th birthday occurs.

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The Formula 100 class is open to any driver over the age of 21yrs. This class has a minimum mass of kart as raced - including driver, helmet and all protective clothing:
with Yamaha KT100 engine of 150kg,
and with PCR PV50 engine of 160kg.
The kart excluding driver has a minimum weight of 60kg - with either engine. The yamaha engine must be raced as is with no modifications, (only a boring of barrels to suit oversize pistons up to 52,60mm is allowed), but the PCR
can be modified like the 100 stock class.
The carburetor is the standard Walbro Series WB unit as supplied with a newengine.
Chassis have to be homologated by MSA.

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The 125cc Grand Prix class has a minimum mass of kart - including driver,helmet and all protective clothing of 170kg's for rotary valve engines and 160kg's for reed valve engines. One carburetor of any make or type is permitted, the needle and seat, main jets, emulsion tubes, slides and needle jets may be altered.
A pulse pump may be fitted, which would require a hole to be drilled in the cylinder or crank case. This engine must have a max of 6 speeds with clutch, be water or air cooled and can be either rotary or reed valve engines.
The chassis must meet the MSA homolgated chassis requirements.Sprockets for the engine and axil can be changed to suit the driver as needed.
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The 125cc Promo kart class has a minimum class weight of 170kg's using the MOTO TM L3 engine. Other engines used in this class for 1998 and eligible only at Regional and Club events are the:
Yamaha YZ Series A - E, (excludes 1994 model) - 170kg;
MOTO-X engine up to and including 1991 models - 170kg's
the ROTAX mod 124/128 the MACMINARELLI mod XXI , and the HETCHEL mod KZH (note homologation rules in MSA book) - all 180kg minimum weight.
Water temp gauges may be used and sprockets and chains are unrestricted but the drive must remain by chain. Chassis as per MSA homologation.

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The 125cc Clubman class in Kwa-Zulu Natal runs on the following rules:
Tyres are Maxxis - both wets(WT 4) and dry(SLD RSA), and minimum weight is 175kg.
Engine can be a:
Yamaha Yz , Honda CR125, Suzuki RM125, Kawasaki KX125 or any conforming engine older than 2 years not exceeding the 125cc "bore" limit. Carb must be a original carb. Modifications free. After market float bowls may be used.
Out of the 125cc class it is normally the cheapest and one of best class to start with in a gearbox kart. Running costs are low on tyres as the Maxxis are of a harder compound.
These karts are still very quick and are only 1 or more seconds per lap behind the other 125cc classes. The clubman class, however, does not qualify for National races or points.

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10. Homologated Chassis for 1998-2000 for karting RSA.

Brand:
Allkart - All CIK models.
Birel - All CIK models (incl model AR 4)
CRG/Kali - All CIK models.
Kombikart - Models S30 T-Rex, Vision T1 and the Magnum.
M.A.C. MINARELLI - All CIK models.
PCR - All CIK models and the Jaguar Sprint, Leopard & Firefox.
Sodikart - Model Futura.
Swiss Hutless - All CIK models.
Tonykart - All CIK models.
Topkart - All CIK models including the model JS SL and the Junior 101.