Sprint Kart Specifications
Basic Introduction
Karting finds its own roots buried in the United States. Soon after karting was spawned in the U.S. it spread to Europe and more specifically Italy where it flourished. As a result, most of the sprint karting equipment in the U.S. is manufactured in Italy and other parts of Europe.
Sprint karts are designed for both left and right hand corners. As a result they are designed so that the weight is distributed evenly left to right across the chassis. This is done to promote the karts ability to turn left and right as best as possible.
Sprint karts must be nimble and able to handle the variety of types of turns found on any given course. A kart's agility, brake system, and "tune-ability" are essential to a sprint kart's performance.
Nevertheless, manufacturers from all over the world compete head to head with what must be called an even playing field. Both the similarities and the differences define each manufacturer's product and work to promote not only the maker but also its partners.
The Chassis
Two tube configurations define the modern sprint kart design, the 7 and 9 bend. Variables in rigidity and flex characteristics include in tube diameter, wall thickness and raw materials' attributes. In addition, there are a virtually infinite number of choices for bend placement and tube location that can drastically define a chassis's character.
While each chassis manufacturer works hard to provide the best equipment no pattern can be seen as to whether the 7 or 9 bend style chassis has a distinct advantage. Additionally, manufacturers who look to find a niche have produced chassis with less conventional designs, some with as many as 11 bends. It has yet to be seen if these designs will stand the test of time.
Sprint Kart Componenets
Another quality that defines a brand is the accessories that accompany the kart. Some brands have the capabilities of manufacturing all of their own and very unique chassis components. Other brands however, may purchase their accessories through a special manufacturer. Among different brands there is a plethora of accessories. Yet, it is again seen that they all serve very similar purposes. The biggest difference between manufacturers is raw material and aesthetics.
There are several standards the karting industry put into regulation in order to prevent spiraling costs. Many parts must be metallic and not composite materials such as carbon fiber. Also, axle size has been limited to a maximum diameter of 50mm as to prevent manufacturers from producing virtually never ending range of rear axles to choose from.
Again, it must be noted that most foreign chassis are regulated by the CIK-FIA and as a result must conform to certain regulations. These regulations often define safety standards. One of the best examples is a sprint karts braking system. Overwhelmingly so, sprint kart brake systems are activated by use of hydraulic pressure. Brakes are not power assisted like your car might be, nevertheless, braking performance is very good. Once designed, the brake system them goes through a system of tests to assure its ability to stop reliably.
Mechanics of a Sprint Kart
Probably the item that most defines a go kart is the rear axle. Why is this seemingly simple device so important? The axle plays a large part in kart dynamic because it connects the rear tires together and prevents them from spinning different speeds. Why is this a problem? When a Sprint kart turns the outside wheels travel a farther distance than the inside wheels. As a result, the inside and outside tires are required to run different speeds. In a car a differential is used to allow the inside and outside rear wheels to travel at the correct speed. However, with a kart, the differential action is achieved by simply unloading or slightly lifting the inside rear wheel of the racing surface.
The action of lifting the inside rear wheel is so important that the entire sprint chassis is designed to do this as efficiently as possible. The front end alignment is perhaps one of the most important things that are used to achieve this. More specifically, the castor angle is what makes lifting the inside rear possible. Castor angle is the angle by which the kingpin bolt leans toward the rear of the chassis (see diagram 1.0).
Due to the castor angle the inside front wheel actually lowers when turned and the outside front wheel actually rises. If you imagine the kart with its front wheels turned to some degree on a flat surface at stand still the chassis would be sitting on three points. The kart's outside front wheel that would no longer touch the surface. Although, when the kart is put through the same turn at race speed a lateral force is felt by the kart and driver. This lateral force is used to tip the kart onto the outside front wheel, thus unloading or lifting the inside rear tire completely off the racing surface.
More Front End Alignment
The steering equipment on a sprint kart is simple. It is made up of four main components. These components are the spindles, tie rods, steering shaft, and steering wheel.
The angles by which the front wheels travel over the road are classified. When looking at the kart chassis from above you