125 chassis and 80cc set up, HELP!

John G. · Joined: 30 Nov 2001 Posts: 67

I plan to run at Prairie City and Dixon in 2002 Amateur 80cc YDS. I have a 125 Tracy Tracker chassis (all 32mm), what are going to be some of the chassis set up issues I will be dealing with running a stiffer chassis? Can anyone give me a base line set up to start with, track width front and rear, I have two sets of rear hubs (90mm & 60mm)with a medium axle, tire pressure hot and cold? I've heard that PC is a low grip track and Dixon is high grip. I quickly found that my background in motorcycle racing offered nothing more than knowing how to bump start. Thanks, any help will do.

Charlie Tackett

What year of Tracy and how early in the year? What kind of tires?

John Valerio · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 650

try a rear width of about 52" and a front about 42", Not sure how the stiffer chassis will perform @ PC. I run an Invader there and Have had some success in KT100 and 80shifter. Tire pressure should be in the Low 20's cold no more than 1 psi more when hot. If your tire pressure increases more than 1 psi hot re-adjust the pressure...going lower till that number is within 1 psi. If you have torsion bars remove them for you first trip around. I would use the shorter hubs to free up the rear end run neutral toe and neutral castor/camber. If you haven't run PC before...you'll love it..very technical,low grip,elevation changes. They run an excellent program. As for dixon try the longer hubs,addtorsion bars....use the width's given front and rear for PC as a baseline and do some hot laps....Watch the stop watch and make adjustments accordingly.
15/25 is a good base line on gearing for PC

my 02.cents.

John G. · Joined: 30 Nov 2001 Posts: 67

Charlie, the chassis is a 2001, and I want to be ready for the opener in Feb. John, thanks for the 411, I'll give it a try.

John Johnson

John Valerio · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 650

John,
Is it you're first time @ PC?

John G. · Joined: 30 Nov 2001 Posts: 67

John,

Yes, this is my first time at PC. I live in Folsom about two mile from the track and have raced Class "C" cycles and Motocross. I've practiced at Dixon once with my kart about three weeks ago and found that karts are it!!! Open to any advice you have. Checked your 2001 stats at PC on the Nor-Cal page, GREAT JOB! Thanks for the advice.

John.

John Valerio · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 650

John,
You'll like PC. there will be alot of people there willing to help with set up and driving tips. The track is humbling.....I think you'll find its one the best programs in nor-cal. Gerry Ahrens(track promoter) and his crew are all great people. We are going to Dixon in the next few weeks to prepare for the opening round of IKF. Just got back from Atwater on thursday. Maybe we can hook up at prairie city....I'll show you some secrets I was given by Gerry Ahrens and Darin Stahl that works great in passing situations. They have 4 different track configurations....the Perimeter,Modified Perimeter,the GP,and the esses. They will have a couple of races where they will be running the track backwards. I think this will add 2 more configurations.
By the way.....what class are you running in 2002? masters or novice 80 shifters?

by the way I couldn't agree with you more....I gave up Motocross for karting, started in kt100 and moved a few months ago to shifters.

[ December 28, 2001: Message edited by: John Valerio ]

Art Lee · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 25

Johnson Give Marc Zartarian a call at KRT (formerly Paul Tracy Karting) He designed the chassis and knows them inside and out. He can provide you with a ton of useful information for getting setup.

Arthur Lee
www.lnlracing.com

John G. · Joined: 30 Nov 2001 Posts: 67

John,

I'm 36 and depending on the number of entries will determine the class I run but I'm a novice any way you look at it. I plan to run at both PC and Dixon. What do you think would be better class for me. I don't think Dixon is running a masters class this year. I baught the kart in Nov. with a CR125 on it. That was what I practiced with at Dixon a couple weeks ago. I thought with my racing background I could handle a 125, NOT! I sold the motor last week and am looking for a new cr80 package. Do you know any good dealers. John from FastTech out of Monterey is offering a complete 2002 cr80, stock carb, ignition, RCE R8 pipe, RLV or Banke silencer, motor mount and shift lever for $1850.00, what do you think? I'm having the chassis powdercoated as I speak. I plan to be up and running by Feb 1. I want to get some seat time in before Feb. 10 (PC), then to Dixon on the 17th and again on 23-24 for the IKF event. I appreciate the practice offer and as soon as I'm up and running I'll take you up on it. Thanks for the 411.

John

Steve Moore

Buy a blueprinted motor. You won't be happy with a stock one.

John G. · Joined: 30 Nov 2001 Posts: 67

John,

I just checked on the Masters class at PC and Dixon. I guess there both available. How much defference will the added 15 lbs. effect the performance of a stock motor?

Steve,

Your recommending to buy a blueprinted motor over stock. At the novice level will it really make a difference?. I heard that when it comes to track times, driver ability is measured in seconds, chassis set up in 1/2 seconds, and motor HP in tenths and hundreths. If motor performance for novices is that important do you have suggestions as to where to look? John, you can chime in at any time with an opinion, Thanks.

John

John Valerio · Joined: 24 Jul 2001 Posts: 650

John,
Leave the motor stock at this point. Learn to drive the kart and to tune it. At this point you will not see the pay off of a blueprinted motor till you can consistantly pull consistant lap times.....I'm talking within .10 each lap. Then when you are ready...choose an engine builder that is local if possible. My son and I use George Witson @ Powerworks. Once you can continually stay with a tenth on each lap....then I would think you will need more power. You can either go full on blueprint...or just do the top end(port and head work). If you are running a honda get that 3rd gear fixed first thing.
John did I mention I am running a YZ80 and from all accounts....I never given up a position in my first 4 races due to horsepower.
the extra fifteen pounds is nothing...most of the guys at the club level are giving up more weight than they would like too. Remember its a 38 and up class

thanks
John Valerio

Steve Moore

quote:
Originally posted by J. Johnson:
John,

Steve,

Your recommending to buy a blueprinted motor over stock. At the novice level will it really make a difference?. I heard that when it comes to track times, driver ability is measured in seconds, chassis set up in 1/2 seconds, and motor HP in tenths and hundreths.

John

Tenths and hundredths are the difference between my blueprinted motor and your blueprinted motor. The difference between a stock motor and anyones blueprint is substantially more. Don't get me wrong, you'll have someone to race with no matter what motor you have, but sooner or later you'll want to at least have as much as the guys you're racing against. I'd want mine now. But that's just me.

Rob Martin

John,
I would strongly suggest going with the stock motor. Get lots of seat time and learn how to tune the chassis for varying conditions. Learn how to re-jet the carb to maximize what you have. Then after you've perfected your driving and tuning take a look at who is beating you regularly and learn from their techniques.
Many drivers have poor driving habits and try to make up for them with extra HP. The extra horsepower comes with a very high price in reliability and cost.
If you buy a fully built cr80 motor you will spend a lot of time doing maintenance (rings, pistons, etc) instead of working on your driving skills.

Practice, Practice, Practice.

NOT

Repair, Repair, Repair.

OR

$$$$$$$$$

More isn't always better.

ps.
use caution on your frame finishing. if the old frame finish (powder or paint) is removed incorrectly (excess heat), the chassis may never handle the same again.