Safe Superkarts?

Dean Martin · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 280

Considering a new race suit I was wondering why in the US we dont require leathers for road racing karts like the rest of the world? Having seen the road rash a friend took through a fabric race suit recently Im leaning towards leathers.

Anyway, I bumped in to this link and it kind of emphasises the leathers comments some. Makes you think a little hey......

http://www.superkartworld.net/accidents/superkarts/superkarts.html

thoughts and comments on leathers?
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DEAN MARTIN

Chris Reinhardt · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 5:51 am Post subject:

Having "tested" the durability of leathers on several occasions when I was racing motorcycles, I would have to agree, they will save your skin for sure, literately!

I think the cost is what detract people most from buying them, which is silly when you think about it. A good set of leathers will probably set you back a thousand bucks, give or take, but a one time investment, but we'll all spend thousands on the motor....

Having said that, there are a few drawbacks to the suits....

Weight, Heat, and Fit.... They do weigh a bit more than a kart suit, it would change the seat configuration. They are hotter unless you get some good vented suits, then once you get moving they cool down. The biggy here is that most of the suits are cut for motorcycle riding position, which is a bit different from sitting in a kart...

The best leathers I've ever used are Vanson Leathers in Mass. There's no comparison to them and flashy street wear. They will also custom fit them and I believe they have a kart style suite, you have to ask...

CR
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Paul Makarucha · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 6:45 am Post subject:

If you're looking for leathers I highly recommend giving this guy a call:
http://www.heroicracing.com/default.asp

He does customs of the highest quality for an affordable price. His quality is better than the top name brands out there and the suits are so well thought out. I believe his name is Todd. Super, Super nice guy
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Bob Ogden · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:27 am Post subject:

After reading the article in the link and the information (news releases) at the bottom of the article, I'd say UK should consider banning Superkart races at Brands Hatch.
That is, if numbers are your point.

Benn Herr · Joined: 18 Jul 2001 Posts: 1584

Actually it's a thinly veiled bit of propaganda from somebody selling a kart alternative in Australia.

www.superkartworld.net

I thought that kind of information mis-direction only happened here in our presidential elections! It's an interesting vehicle, but not what everybody wants.

Is a faster kart more dangerous - of course it is.

Would having more protection around you help in an accident - of course.

Are leathers good abrasion protection - if done right, yes.

All that said, people racing karts have decided that they are as safe as needed. We are comfortable with the level of risk. If you are not, other sports beckon (a Carol Smith quote!).

We should always try to make them as safe as we can but where do you draw the line? How slow do you have to go to never get hurt? How much stuff do you add to your kart to protect yourself? When is it not a kart anymore?

P.S. Personally I'm not a big fan of leathers - too grabby when the touch the pavement. I'd rather see something like a cross between Star Wars storm trooper armor and the current nylon suits. Imagine this built into your suit!

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Chris Reinhardt · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 3:37 pm Post subject:

Put to you guys like this, I've seen people get F*ked up in a Briggs!!!

Leathers grabby? Not at all, they are the best thing there is for abrasion protection, if there was anything better, you would see the GP guys wearing it. If you get a decent suit, most of that armor is built in.

The old Kevlar suits, now those were grabby.....

How about a Teflon suit? Very Happy

CR
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Owen Rowell · Joined: 03 Aug 2011 Posts: 11

Benn Herr hit the nail on the head in his first line!!

Just propaganda!

Greg Lindahl · Joined: 13 Jan 2011 Posts: 271

My hide says it's propaganda for those who don't get it. Skidding along on asphalt is best done with leather on and hitting a joint on a hard object is best done with padding covering the joint. Pretty simple physics. F=mA Ask ANY roadracing motorcyclist who has fallen off at racing speed. Apparently some motorcycle roadracers feel fine with a thin nylon suit in a superkart, and I respect that as a personal decision.

Gerry MacNutt · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:16 pm Post subject:

Well this tread I can give some first hand insight, I bike raced years ago and yes I've done my share of high sides, low sides, and just plain bum luck at over 100mph. First off leathers at speed do not grab at all at least none I've ever owned. As already mentioned bike leathers are cut to fit you in a riding position and that's why they don't look right when you walking around in them so the fit will be even worse in a sitting position.

You will need to have a custom set made and that will not be cheap. Almost all modern leathers have built in armor, knees ,elbows ect they have zip up pockets to remove the plastic inserts. The problem as mentioned is they will really change how your seat fits you if your smug now it's going to mean a new seat. The biggest set back is the weight a mid range (cow)set is going to be real heavy, if you want what the pros wear you want Kangaroo as it offers twice the protection over old fashion cow hide so it can be much thinner and and weight less and still give you full protection.

As I've spent time sliding along I can tell you I will be in a set ASAP. I've seen nasty nasty rash just from poor (to big) fitting cow leathers.

http://motostrano.blogspot.ca/2011/10/how-to-buy-leather-suit.html

Dean Martin · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 280

I dont have any leathers to confirm but I just recieved a PM suggesting they weight around 10 kgs? Sound about right ?
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DEAN MARTIN

Sam Zavaglia · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 11:25 pm Post subject:

See what you started Dean, you provided a properganda link to a total wanker.
BTW, the guy in who went flying, he crashed into me, I visited him in hospital after the racing and only had some back rash and the odd bruse. He was released from hospital in under 20hrs from the time of the accident. That wasn't mentioned on the site. We have had 2 deaths in V8 Supercars in recent years......they have a cage almost like NASCAR!

I have 3x "1 piece" racing leathers.
2 pair are superkart specific and weigh close to 2-3 kg = 5-7 lbs
It has padding on the right arm only to help against hitting the engine.

1 pair are professional bike racing only leathers and weigh a whopping 9kg or 20lbs. You can't use these in superkarts because it has the back hump and other stuff.

When I race in USA, I wear cordura suit if it is very hot, otherwise I wear my leathers to help make your fat weight rules out there. Laughing

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ted dale · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 611

Check this out..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mo9Vlt5tGwY

Dean the only problem i see is if you get a pair of these. We wont know when the air bag has deployed or not. Laughing

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Dean Martin · Joined: 27 Nov 2007 Posts: 280

Thanks Ted I recall your front air bag deploying on your suit at Miller in 2009. Anyone still have the photos ??
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DEAN MARTIN

Jeff DeMello · Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 10:56 am Post subject:

George Sunderland · Joined: 26 Jul 2001 Posts: 2006

Man that thing that Benn sent a link for is uglier than the new Indy cars. And $30K AUS for a CRF 450? He can't have that many backorders from anxious customers. Wonder if it's been crash tested in any way? Could be more dangerous than a traditional superkart if that cage doesn't hold up.

When we all started, it seemed most karters wore leather jackets. Of course most of them couldn't afford the chaps to go with them so we used jeans. As I recall, those jackets were no more or less comfortable than the suits we have now but they did get hot as hell. Of course, if you're really worried about safety, the most important thing is to remember its only a hobby and drive fast but still like you have to go to work on Monday...........